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HomeMy WebLinkAbout15-01-14 Approved HC Minutes NEWPORT BEACH HARBOR COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES City Council Chambers Wednesday, January 14, 2015 6:30 PM 1) CALL MEETING TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM. 2) ROLL CALL Commissioners: Brad Avery, Chair Paul Blank David Girling William Kenney, Jr. Duncan McIntosh Joe Stapleton Doug West—Absent/Excused Staff Members: Chris Miller, Harbor Manager Shannon Levin, Harbor Analyst 3) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE—ChairAvery 4) PUBLIC COMMENTS- None 5) APPROVAL OF MINUTES—October 13, November 15 and November 17, 2014 Minutes Motion: Commissioner McIntosh made a motion to approve the minutes of the Harbor Commission of the October 13, November 15 and November 17, 2014, meetings, as corrected. Commissioner Blank seconded the motion, which carried with 6 ayes, 0 noes and 1 absent. Approved. 6) CURRENT BUSINESS 1. Balboa Island Seawalls — A Brief Project Summary, and Report by the Balboa Island Improvement Association Seawall Subcommittee Staff will present a brief summary of the Balboa Island Seawall project currently under review. In addition, the Balboa Island Improvement Association's Seawall Subcommittee will present their report to the Commission. Recommendation: 1) Receive and file. Public Works Director Dave Webb introduced the item as well as Bob Stein, Assistant City Engineer, and deferred to him for a report. Mr. Stein provided an update on the Balboa Island rehabilitation project and maintenance of the aging seawall. He noted that studies were commissioned, and commented on presentations made to the Tidelands Management Committee. He addressed existing seawalls, City-owned seawalls, areas of concern, warning signs of aging seawalls, potential impacts of flooding, and rehabilitation options for the seawalls, possible remedies, and suggestions by the Tideland Management Committee and others. He addressed results of a cost analysis for the various options and commented on the idea of building a seawall around the Harbor noting that the primary concern related to the latter would be cost. Mr. Stein addressed rising ground water, rising sea-level, raising the seawall and boardwalk at the same time, and funding. He reported the availability of a dedicated website that contains relative information, and a dedicated email address for residents to submit questions and concerns. Discussion followed regarding the height of the existing seawalls, Harbor standards regarding required seawall heights, levels at which valves are shut, the effect on foundations and footings from the vibratory installation technique, the age of Newport Marina Villas, options available for City Council consideration, funding, and costs related to the Balboa Island project. www.newportbeachca.gov/seawalls Ensuing discussion pertained to recommended seawall heights, types of seawalls that can be rebuilt, and recognizing the existence of visitor-serving businesses in terms of funding considerations. Jamshed Dastur, Balboa Island Improvement Association Seawall Subcommittee Chair and Tidelands Management Committee Member, provided a presentation and listed goals as ensuring that the seawalls are structurally sound, that the height of the walls are such that the area is protected from floods, maintaining the culture and ambiance of Balboa Island and ensuring that the City provides funding. He noted he has extensive background in marine construction engineering and referenced a summary of the project. He addressed the types of walls on the island, and stated a preference for nine-foot walls rather than ten-foot walls. He noted that the final solution for the year 2100 event is not walls, but must be something different as all of the water would come from below. He reported there is much uncertainty and suggested fixing things for the next twenty-five years while using that time frame to monitor the oceans. Additionally, he addressed replacement versus new walls and commented on challenges related to the various options presented. Chair Avery opened public comments for this matter. Jim Mosher asked whether the Bay Island project is a new seawall or a retrofit of an existing wall. He noted there are a number of properties around the Harbor that do not have seawalls (i.e. Beacon Bay) and wondered about protecting them. Harbor Manager Chris Miller reported that the project related to Bay Island was replacement of the seawall. He added that there are a few pockets in the Harbor that do not have seawalls and that for those in the rest of the Harbor that have seawalls, they are the responsibility of the individual homeowner. Chair Avery closed public comments. 2. Mooring/Anchorage Fees for Visiting Vessels Assigned to Special Anchorage Areas in the Harbor The Harbor Commission will discuss, and possibly make a recommendation, as to the appropriate fees the City might charge to visiting vessels who desire to anchor/moor in special anchorage areas outside of the harbor's regular mooring system. Recommendation: 1) Discuss fee options for visiting vessels to anchor/moor within special anchorage areas, and make a recommendation to be forwarded to the City Council at a later date; or 2) Assign the topic to the Harbor Commission's existing Ad Hoc Committee who will return at a later date with a recommendation. Harbor Manager Miller reported that a Harbor Commission subcommittee has been looking at the potential for expanding the existing anchorage area to a new location. He added that around the time that subcommittee was formed, the City received a request for a large vessel, the Invictus, to stay in Newport Harbor for a brief period. The City had never welcomed a vessel that size and did not have moorings or docks that could accommodate them. A mooring location was found for the Invictus near the west end of Lido Isle, and another vessel stayed in the area as well. He reported that the subcommittee is working to define boundaries if an alternate anchorage is approved. He addressed the need to discuss fee options and deferred to Commissioner Girling for additional information. Commissioner Girling reported he did some research on the matter and that high-end marinas elsewhere charge approximately 3,000 euros while on average, it costs about 1,000 or 1,500 euro's. He noted it would be slightly more in dollars. Consideration needs to be given to the amenities to be provided as well as other matters including staff time and effort. Mr. Miller added that the Invictus is on its way back to Newport Beach 2 and will stay for three or four weekends. He addressed what the City is currently charging the Invictus, and it was noted there was a cost involved with installing the mooring cans. Chair Avery stated that after a general discussion, he would like to send the matter back to the Anchorage Subcommittee and have it return to the full Harbor Commission with a report. Discussion followed regarding not being able to provide certain amenities (i.e., utilities) as these would be off-shore moorings, looking at what services the City wants to provide, needing to consider temporary moorings, considering the overall footprint of a vessel and developing fees that are fair and reasonable. Chair Avery opened public comments. Chair Avery closed public comments. Motion: Commissioner Blank made a motion to assign the matter to the Anchorage Subcommittee and have it return to the full Harbor Commission with a report. Commissioner Stapleton seconded the motion, which carried with 6 ayes, 0 noes and 1 absent. Approved. 3. Cheyenne 30-Day Update (December and January) Per the Harbor Commission's direction at the November 2014 meeting, the Commission will review the 30-day update for the vessel Cheyenne as submitted by Mr. Chris Welsh. Recommendation: 1) Receive and file. Harbor Manager Miller reported that the Cheyenne is owned by Mr. Chris Welsh and that last November, the Harbor Commission was clear in advising him of the need to see regular progress in the form of 30-day updates. Mr. Miller provided the updates for December and January and reported that each month, until July, updates will be provided. Commissioner Girling noted that Mr. Welsh is a little behind schedule and his status will be further discussed in March. Chair Avery opened public comments. Jim Mosher commented on the December report and questioned related pictures relative to a cracked dome. Chair Avery closed public comments. 7) SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS Chair Avery reported that the Harbor Commission's new objectives will be shared with City Council on January 27th. Commissioner Girling provided an update on Lower Castaways noting that it has been on hold because of the new City Council transition. The new Council will make a decision regarding the RFP in the future. Mr. Miller added that direction will be given at the City Council's annual goal-setting meeting, Saturday, January 31st, at which time Mr. Webb will provide a presentation including many projects and will be looking for direction from Council. Commissioner Kenney reported that the water propelled vessel ad hoc committee is scheduled to provide a presentation with recommendations to City Council on February 10th. 8) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH COUNCIL LIAISON ON HARBOR RELATED ISSUES Mr. Miller reported that a Council liaison has yet to be appointed by City Council. 9) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH HARBOR MANAGER ON HARBOR RELATED ISSUES Mr. Miller reported that on the 27th, Council will consider the Harbor Commission's goals and objectives. Also on that agenda are Balboa Yacht Basin marina management for the award of a new contract, a 3 resolution establishing the fee for dinghy racks at the Balboa Yacht Basin, and as well as a presentation at Study Session regarding moorings and residential and commercial piers. Brief discussion followed regarding members of the Commission attending the City Council meeting on the 27th. Mr. Miller provided a status update on Marina Park and noted that staff is currently working on the budget. Mr. Miller provided a brief update on eelgrass and the Regional General Permit (RGP). He noted that the Coastal Commission meeting to discuss the RGP might be in April. Discussion followed regarding Marina Park: programming fee structure, management of the facility, the parking plan, the proposed restaurant. Also discussed was the Coastal Commission review of eelgrass and the RGP, and expectations from that April review. 10) PUBLIC COMMENTS ON SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS OR QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH COUNCIL LIAISON OR HARBOR MANAGER Shanda Lear-Baylor, Lear Electric Boats, commented on her company's vision of what a water-bus/taxi would be for the future and expressed interest in participating in further presentations. She stated that a water bus/tax service can be done but that private investments would be necessary. 11) COMMISSION ANNOUNCEMENTS OR MATTERS WHICH MEMBERS WOULD LIKE PLACED ON A FUTURE AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION,ACTION OR REPORT(NON-DISCUSSION ITEM) Commissioner Blank stated he would like to have Council liaison assignments on the Commission's next meeting agenda as well as cooperative arrangements with other entities (Commissions, Committees, and Boards) in the City. He added that he can provide specific suggestions to Mr. Miller. Chair Avery added that he would like to have the concept of a Code "Encouragement" Officer on the Bay over the summer months to help with noise, wakes and safety and communicate the City's code in terms of water uses and make the Harbor safer and more enjoyable for everyone. 12) DATE AND TIME FOR NEXT MEETING: February 11, 2016, 6:30 PM (Note: March meeting will start at 7:00 PM.) 13) ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Harbor Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 PM. The next meeting of the Harbor Commission will be held on Wednesday, February 11, 2015, at 6:30 PM. 4