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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/11/2014 - Harbor CommissionNEWPORT BEACH HARBOR COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES City Council Chambers Wednesday, June 11, 2014 6:30 PM 1) CALL MEETING TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM 2) ROLL CALL Commissioners: Duncan McIntosh, Chair Brad Avery, Vice Chair Paul Blank David Girling Karen Rhyne Joe Stapleton Doug West Staff Members: Chris Miller, Harbor Resources Manager Shannon Levin, Harbor Resources Supervisor Council Liaison: Council Member Nancy Gardner 3) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Commissioner Girling 4) SPECIAL CEREMONY RECOGNIZING COMMISSIONER RHYNE'S LAST HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING. PUBLIC COMMENTS WELCOME Chair McIntosh thanked Commissioner Rhyne for her tenure and service to the community as a Harbor Commissioner. Chris Miller, Harbor Resources Manager, stated Commissioner Rhyne was part of the Commission taking positive steps forward, and hoped she would stay involved in harbor - related matters. Council Member Selich thanked Commissioner Rhyne and stated she has exceeded the Commission's expectations. He expressed that City Council is very appreciative of her contributions to the Commission. Commissioner Rhyne stated she signed up for the Commission to give back to the community and it has opened up a new world to her. She is proud to have been a part of the Commission and will miss it. Commissioner West appreciated Commissioner Rhyne's contributions and asked her to stick with the RBOC. Commissioner Girling appreciated Commissioner Rhyne's input on Lower Castaways and wished her the best of luck. 5) PUBLIC COMMENTS Chair McIntosh invited those interested in addressing the Commission to do so at this time. There being no one wishing to address the Commission, Chair McIntosh closed public comments. 6) APPROVAL OF MINUTES —May 14, 2014 Minutes Commissioner Blank requested the vote outcome on the multi - vessel mooring be revised to show 6 Ayes, not 7, as he was recused. Jim Mosher requested revisions and clarification, and in response Commissioner West, he clarified comments he had made at the May 14, 2014 meeting. Motion: Commissioner West made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 14, 2014 Harbor Commission Regular Meeting, as amended. Commissioner Rhyne seconded the motion, which carried with 7 ayes and 0 noes. Approved. 7) CURRENT BUSINESS 1. General Discussion of Moorings and Related Topics Staff will present an overview of the moorings in Newport Harbor, including mooring management, derelict vessels, live - aboards and more. Recommendation: 1) Receive and file. Shannon Levin, Harbor Resources Supervisor, provided a mooring update, which included offshore and onshore moorings in the harbor. She spoke about mooring administration, the joint powers agreement which allows the Orange County Sheriff's department to administer the moorings in the harbor, the terms of the JPA, the cost of rentals, the mooring wait list, impounds, liens and auctions. She stated there are fifteen (15) permitted live - aboards, and further discussed the qualifications to become a live- aboard, the fees involved and yearly inspections. Harbor Resources Manager Miller stated a positive aspect of inspection is face -to -face contact which allows staff to get to know the live - aboards. Harbor Resources Supervisor Levin stated in order to be a live- aboard, the vessel must be the permittee's primary residence. Further, live - aboards are distributed across the harbor in many of the mooring fields. Harbor Resources Manager Miller stated the cost to be a live- aboard is about $350 per year plus the mooring fee. The County moorings in the harbor are mainly located in the G field, and Harbor Resources Manager Miller discussed how those moorings are billed by the City. Harbor Resources Supervisor Levin discussed the grant funding she anticipates to receive through the State. She further discussed the process of mooring revocations when there is a failure to pay the annual permit fee. Harbor Resources Manager Miller spoke about simplifying the process for billing and collecting fees, and implementing a different payment schedule than what currently exists. Vice Chair Avery asked if the City sends mooring revenue money to the State for tidelands. Harbor Resources Manager Miller clarified the funds stay with the City, and if all of the funds are not used, they are given back to the State. He indicated he would provide the Commission an accounting of how those monies are expended. Commissioner West asked if there had been turnover on the mooring wait list since changes were implemented a few years ago. Harbor Resources Supervisor Levin responded there had been some slow movement, and expected that when private transactions will no longer be available in 2021, the waitlist will start moving. Harbor Resources Manager Miller stated Harbor Patrol keeps a list of the mooring vacancies, and at any given time there about 60 vacant moorings. Commissioner Avery stated there seemed to be more open space in the mooring fields, and view -sheds appear to have improved. He asked if boats are required to be transferred when someone transfers their mooring? Harbor Resources Manager Miller indicated that was no longer the case. He further clarified moorings can be transferred to a trust and can also be leased by entities that are marine dependent uses. Chair McIntosh invited those interested in addressing the Commission to do so at this time. Jim Mosher shared his frustration with terminology and definitions in the Harbor Code. He spoke to Commissioner's Avery recent presentation to the City Council regarding changing moorings into floating docks and asked where the 550 number of off -shore moorings came from. There being no one further wishing to address the Commission, Chair McIntosh closed public comments Chair McIntosh received and filed the report. 2. Water Taxi Ad Hoc Committee Update Commissioner West will provide an update of the Ad Hoc Water Taxi Committee and solicit input from the public and the Harbor Commission. Recommendation: 1) Receive and file. Commissioner West provided an update on water taxis. He discussed considering the concept of a water bus that would follow an established route with a specified schedule. He indicated there has been substantial public input regarding this item, and the Ad Hoc Committee was scheduled to give a presentation to City Council on June 24, 2014. In that regard, the Committee will provide City Council information on what a pilot program might look like and what it would cost. Commissioner West indicated the challenge is estimating demand for service because the Committee is not sure what the service might look like. He further indicated demand may likely be seasonal, and the harbor size and speed limit are a challenge for making an on- demand system efficient. He stated a meaningful test would include at least four (4) boats, and with new vessels in the range of $150,000 per vessel along with personnel costs, the overall costs will be significant. Further, a water taxi service would not break even, and would require a subsidy at start-up. He indicated that it's conceivable the City could have something in place by Summer 2015. Commissioner Girling stated some studies would be necessary, and in making a recommendation to City Council, the Council could determine demand and establish what costs may be necessary for start up and operations. He stated that with a subsidized system it would be important to consider how other operators in the harbor may be affected. Further, the Balboa Island docks may be difficult to bring into ADA compliance due to the seawall. Commissioner Stapleton focused on differences from the 2009 study and spent time looking at competition, marketing and demand. He stated he would continue to work on the technology side. Chair McIntosh invited those interested in addressing the Commission to do so at this time. Shanda Lear Baylor, Lear Electric Boats, expressed her excitement about the idea of an electric water bus or taxi. She indicated electric water buses would bring increased activity and revenue to businesses and suggested a $10 day pass to bring in more people. Additionally, smart phones can provide a map of places to visit, potential routes and stops, and that paid advertising can help subsidize the water bus. Commissioner McIntosh noted Marina del Rey had 43,000 passengers last year and they charge $1 per trip. Jim Mosher spoke about access to Balboa Island and a potential plan by the City to raise the seawall and install ramps. There being no one further wishing to address the Commission, Chair McIntosh closed public comments. Chair McIntosh received and filed the report. 3. Multiple Vessel Mooring System Ad Hoc Committee Update Commissioner Avery will provide an update of the Ad Hoc Multiple Vessel Mooring System Committee's presentation to Council on June 10, and will solicit input from the public and the Harbor Commission. Recommendation: 1) Receive and file. Commissioner Avery gave an update regarding the presentation he made to the City Council the previous night. He stated there had been good attendance at all of the Ad Hoc Committee meetings by the permittees and other interested parties. He stated it was initially thought that the pilot program would cost around $100,000, however, in order to produce floats with a variety of mooring systems and reduce the City's liability, the cost is about $240,000. City Council's direction was to perform a survey of all of the mooring permittees, except for the yacht clubs, and include homeowners on the bay as their views may be impacted. He stated the City's focus is to do this for the permittees, and if the permittees do not want the program, the City does not want to force it on them. He reiterated no permittee would have their current set up taken away if the plan was implemented. Chair McIntosh added that Councilmember Henn and the Mayor felt there was enough public benefit to have the City pay for the whole program. The Commissioners discussed potential elements of a survey. Commissioner Girling asked if the water taxi was interrelated with the dock system and if the survey could include questions regarding the water taxi to get feedback from the citizens. Chair McIntosh responded that the water taxi and dock system are not related, and he would like to ensure the survey is not too long. Commissioner Avery clarified the cost issue, and explained the Mayor's intention was to not have the mooring permittees pay for the program if it was implemented. He discussed how an opt -in program would work. Chair McIntosh invited those interested in addressing the Commission to do so at this time. There being no one wishing to address the Commission, Chair McIntosh closed public comments Chair McIntosh received and filed the report. 4. Grand Canal Update Staff will present a brief overview of the upcoming projects in the Grand Canal (dredging, seawalls, bridge replacement). Recommendation: 1) Receive and file Harbor Resources Manager Miller provided a PowerPoint presentation on the Grand Canal. He reported on bridge replacement which will start in 2015 and end in 2016, and reported it is being replaced due to seismic concerns. He stated the intent is to keep the original look and design of the bridge. With regard to seawall replacement, Harbor Resources Manager Miller stated a plan and funding haven't been approved, however, a realistic goal for replacing the seawall is about five years. With regard to dredging the Grand Canal, Harbor Resources Manager Miller indicated he is working with a consultant to assist in getting the dredging permits. He addressed some of the challenges including the size of the Grand Canal, the abundance of eelgrass, mitigation required for eelgrass, and the need to stay 15 feet away from eelgrass. Commissioner Girling asked what the goal of any dredging project would look like. Harbor Resources Manager Miller responded that might warrant study as the sand volume might not be the same as in 1999. He has heard from people who want more usable beach but also from people who do not want to be restricted when traveling through the Grand Canal. He stated it is both a depth issue and a sand issue. Commissioner McIntosh questioned the need to tear out the eel grass and go through the mitigation process. Harbor Resources Manager Miller stated his motivation for dredging would be to help fortify the seawall until the City gets a new seawall that is deeper and stronger. Commissioner Girling asked if the depth of the Grand Canal channel is any higher than it has been historically, and questions if this is not a dredging project but a sand replenishment project. Chair McIntosh asked about the rights of the homes on the waterfront. Harbor Resources Manager Miller focused on Balboa Island and stated it ends at the boardwalk. On the Grand Canal, homeowners are allowed a pier platform and pay a permit fee for that Commissioner Girling stated some of the pier platforms are not grounded on anything because there is no sand. The Commissioners discussed dredging versus sand replenishment. With regard to eelgrass, Harbor Resources Manager Miller stated it is resilient, and if it were covered with sand it would eventually find its way up. Chair McIntosh invited those interested in addressing the Commission to do so at this time. Shanda Lear Baylor asked if it were possible to scoop out the eelgrass, do the dredging then put it back, therefore creating a better environment for the eel grass and protecting it. Jim Mosher spoke about the restriction of thru - traffic at the Grand Canal, and asked if the Harbor Code contained an exception for kayakers and paddle boarders. There being no one further wishing to address the Commission, Chair McIntosh closed public comments. Chair McIntosh received and filed the report. 8) SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS Commissioner Girling reported that he will make a presentation on Lower Castaways to the Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce the following day at 7:30 p.m. Additionally, there is a subcommittee meeting the following week. Commissioner Blank reported he would have a proposal at the July, 2014 meeting on behalf of the Outreach Committee on an event in September or October. 9) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH COUNCIL LIAISON ON HARBOR RELATED ISSUES None. 10) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH HARBOR RESOURCES MANAGER ON HARBOR RELATED ISSUES Harbor Resources Manager Miller reported on the prior night's discussion at the study session on Lido Marina Village. He invited the Commission to review the video of the discussion relative to whether there is a desire to pursue a grander vision for the marina. Commissioner West was hoping to see an agenda item on Lido Marina Village for the July, 2014 meeting of the Harbor Commission. It was his belief the Harbor Commission could have added value to the process if they had an opportunity to talk to the Lido Marina Village developer before they went to City Council. 11) PUBLIC COMMENTS ON SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS OR QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH COUNCIL LIAISON OR HARBOR RESOURCES MANAGER Jim Mosher commented on an article announcing the City and Newport Bay Conservancy are planning to hold a series of symposiums discussing sustainability in Newport Bay. 12) COMMISSION ANNOUNCEMENTS OR MATTERS WHICH MEMBERS WOULD LIKE PLACED ON A FUTURE AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION, ACTION OR REPORT (NON- DISCUSSION ITEM) A. 109 Bayside Place dock replacement B. Lido Marina Village marina replacement C. Balboa Marina public dock D. Outreach opportunity in September, 2014 13) DATE AND TIME FOR NEXT MEETING: To be determined Possible meeting dates are: Monday, July 14 Tuesday, July 15 Wednesday, July 16 Monday, July 21 Wednesday, July 23 Thursday, July 24 After discussion it was decided to hold the meeting on July 21, 2014 Commissioner Girling asked if the new Harbor Commissioner appointee will be on at that time. Harbor Resources Manager Miller responded yes, and gave an update on where the City Council was in the process for nominations for the vacant positions. 14) ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Harbor Commission, the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting of the Harbor Commission will be held on July 21, 2014, at 6:30 PM. aa LL---�