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Mike Henn, Chairman
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CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
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Brion Jeannette
MINUTES 3-17-10
Minutes of the Economic Development Committee held at the City Council Chambers, City of
Newport Beach, on Wednesday, March 17, 2010.
Members Present:
X
Mike Henn, Chairman
X
Lloyd Ikerd
X
Keith Curry, Mayor
X
Brion Jeannette
E
Steve Rosansky, Council Member
X
Debra Legan
X
Robert Hawkins, Planning Commissioner
X
Richard Luehrs
X
Mike McNamara, Vice Chairman
X
Scott Palmer
E
Fred Ameri
A
John Robinson
X
Craig Batley
X
Gregg Schwenk
E
Seymour Beek
X
Gary Sherwin
X
Jeffrey Cole
X
Kim Van Natta
A
Steven Coyne
X
Gay Wassall-Kell
X
Sheri Drewry
X
Jennifer Gonzalez
X
Arlene Greer
X
David Hsiang
X
John Hyatt
Staff Representatives:
X
Sharon Wood, Contract Employee
X
Leigh De Santis, Economic Development
Administrator
X
Katie Bowden, Economic Development
Coordinator
Guests Present:
Peggy Fort, CMC and NBRA
Katie Gardner, One Stop
Roll Call and Introductions:
Chairman Henn called the meeting to order at 8:05 am and began self -introductions of the
assembled members, staff and guests.
EDC MINUTES 3-17-10.doc
UPDATES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
• Councilman Henn announced that the City had closed escrow on 608 E. Balboa Blvd.
and 209 Washington Street. The property would be developed as a surface parking lot.
• Gregg Schwenk reported on the success of a Film Festival fundraiser last Monday at
the Bungalow. $1000 was raised by Council members tending bar. On March 25th at
7:30 pm at the Lido Theater, there will be a preview showing of the film "City Island"
starring Andy Garcia. Mr. Garcia will be at the event to talk about his film. The
Newport Beach Film Festival will be held April 22-29, 2010.
• Lloyd Ikerd announced that he hopes to restore and put into service a Helms Bakery
truck on Balboa Island this summer.
• Scott Palmer raised two BID issues. First, Balboa Village would like to receive a waiver
of fees associated with use of the city -owned parking lot at Palm St. and Balboa Blvd.
for their Art Fair, associated with the Ensenada Race. In the future, they would like to
be able to use it twice a year during the off-season without fees. Second, both the
Corona del Mar BID and the Marine Ave BID would be interested in paying for the
fabrication and installation of the planned Wayfinding Signs that would direct shoppers
to their area. Would the City allow the project to occur in a piecemeal fashion, as
opposed to a simultaneous citywide installation?
• Robert Hawkins suggested and the Committee agreed that these two BID issues ought
to be put on the April agenda for discussion.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
1. Minutes of February 17, 2010.
Chairman Henn called for comments on the draft minutes. There being none, Lloyd
Ikerd moved approval of the minutes. Robert Hawkins prompted a brief discussion as
to whether the minutes should be action minutes. The minutes were approved
unanimously.
2. Presentation by Gary Sherwin of Visit Newport Beach, Inc on the Tourism
Industry in Newport Beach.
Visit Newport Beach, Inc. is the marketing and promotional entity for Newport Beach.
It is funded by an allocation of 18% of the City's transient occupancy tax. In addition
Visit Newport Beach, Inc. is the owner's association for the Tourism BID comprised of
six major hotels in Newport Beach. The hotels assess themselves 2% of gross room
night revenues to fund the BID. A 2007 study of tourism in Newport Beach identified
$1.4 billion dollars in direct spending attributable to 6.9 million annual visitors. Tourism
is hyper -sensitive to the economy and even more so in perceived luxury markets.
Revenue per room available in Newport Beach hit bottom in March 2009. Since then it
has been slowly recovering. In November 2009 it went above zero for the first time.
Since then it has remained in the positive but below pre -recession rates because of
reductions in room rate. Hotels are forecasting a 2% growth in revenues in 2010 and
are planning to start restoring rates.
EDC MINUTES 3-17-10.doc
3. Presentations by the Restaurant Association on Restaurant Week
Sheri Drewry, President of the NBRA, introduced the BID's marketing consultant to
report on Restaurant Week, Peggy Fort. Peggy reported that in FY 2009/2010
Restaurant Week generated $350,000 in media attending to Newport Beach as a
dining destination. Approximately 300,000 patrons participated in the October 2009
and January 2010 combined campaigns and bounce back promotions, an increase of
28.5% over the single event in FY 2008/2009. During Restaurant Week, the Newport
Beach dining website received 750 unique visitors each day. While having two
Restaurant Weeks in a single fiscal year had some benefits, upon review the NBRA
Board felt the program would be stronger with just one event per fiscal year. They will
be requesting that the City Council direct the money approved for October 2010 to
support a January 2011 event instead.
4. EQAC Representative's Report
EQAC completed its review of the revised Marina Park EIR. Their March meeting was
cancelled. At their April 19th meeting, they will receive presentations from both sides
of the Banning Ranch discussion.
ITEMS FOR A FUTURE AGENDA
• Wayfinding Sign Program
• Balboa Village BID fee waiver request.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Henn called for the meeting to be adjourned at 9:10 am.
EDC MINUTES 3-17-10.doc