HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-04-21_Approved MinutesCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
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DRAFT MINUTES 4-21-10
Minutes of the Economic Development Committee held at the City Council Chambers, City of
Newport Beach, on Wednesday, April 21, 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
X
Fred Ameri
A
John Robinson
X
Craig Batley
A
Gregg Schwenk
X
Seymour Beek
A
Gary Sherwin
X
Jeffrey Cole
A
Kim Van Natta
A
Steven Coyne
A
Gay Wassall-Kelly
X
Sheri Drewry
X
Jennifer Gonzalez
X
Arlene Greer
X
David Hsiang
X
John Hyatt
Staff Rearesentatives:
X
Sharon Wood, Contract Employee
E
Leigh De Santis, Economic Development
Administrator
X
Katie Bowden, Economic Development
Coordinator
Guests Present:
Katie Gardner, OC One -Stop Center
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 4-21-10 REVISED.doc
UPDATES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
• Councilman Henn announced that the owners of Lido Marina Village are engaged in re -
energizing the Village. They plan to open a Farmers Market on Via Oporto on Sunday
mornings.
• Lloyd Ikerd reported on a conversation he had with the Dunes Resort and their closure
of an annual Vintage Vacations event because of the City's requirement that all
vendors obtain a business license.
• Lloyd Ikerd reported on the problems encountered with his Helm's Bakery truck
business proposition due to the City code regulating portable food stands.
• Mayor Curry announced that the kick-off events for the NOSA race and the Newport
Beach Film Festival are both taking place this week.
• Mayor Curry announced that negotiations with the Newport Beach Firefighters
Association were successful in reducing pension costs for the City.
• Mike McNamara reported that the Water Taxi Committee was reappointed at Council.
The Committee is asking City Council for a "Challenge Grant" to fund a professional
demand and use survey to determine viability of a summer water taxi system.
• Mayor Curry announced the formation of the Citizen's Technology Workforce, created
to share ideas about how the application of technology can increase government
efficiency and effectiveness.
• Scott Palmer announced the Balboa Village Art Fair would be held on Friday, April 23rd
to coincide with the start of the NOSA race.
• Seymour Beek announced that the Balboa Island Parade will take place the first
Sunday in June.
• Richard Luehrs announced that the General Plan Implementation Committee would be
holding a discussion on increased traffic fees later that day. Both he and Debra Legan
expressed concerns related to the increased fees' effect on future development.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
1. Minutes of March 17, 2010.
Chairman Henn called for comments on the draft minutes. There being none, Lloyd
Ikerd moved approval of the minutes and Arlene Greer seconded the motion. The
minutes were approved unanimously.
2. Discussion of options for implementing the Wayfinding Program.
Katie Bowden made a presentation summarizing the history of the Citywide Directional
and Wayfinding Sign Program, accomplishments and total investment to date. In
2008, City Council approved a contract to support the second phase of implementation
of the Program, including programming, construction document production, and
construction administration services. Though the project was completed and final bid
package produced, the project was deferred from the FY 2009 CIP general fund
budget due to anticipated budget shortfalls. In an effort to revive the program, staff
submitted a CIP budget request for $300,000 (based on engineer estimates) for the
2010-2011 fiscal year.
EDC MINUTES 4-21-10 REVISED.doc
Robert Hawkins stated that the Marine Avenue BID had asked staff to consider
allowing the BID to pay for and install some Balboa Island directional signage. Katie
confirmed that the BID request was in response to complaints received regarding the
difficulty of visitors finding Balboa Island. The Marine Avenue BID Board requested
the EDC's support in moving forward with the purchase and installation of a total of
three (3) directional wayfinding signs on Coast Highway and Jamboree Road.
Robert Hawkins made a motion to recommend that the City allow the BIDs to fund the
fabrication & installation of the 3 requested signs, and recommend that the City
Council fund the entire program in no more than 3 years. Seymour Beek seconded
the motion. Scott Palmer proposed an amendment to the motion to support the BID's
funding request only if the City Council chooses not to fund the entire program in the
2010-2011 fiscal year. There was no second.
Members of the Committee discussed incremental vs. comprehensive implementation.
It was recognized that the 2010-2011 fiscal year will be a difficult budget year for the
City, but the economic importance of directing visitors to the City's commercial villages
and tourism destinations was considered to be paramount.
Fred Ameri made a substitute motion to recommend that the City Council fully fund the
wayfinding sign program in the FY 2010-2011 budget and install the signs citywide
within three months, or as soon as possible. Robert Hawkins seconded the motion.
The substitute motion passed unanimously.
Seymour Beek mentioned signage on Bayside and Coast Highway that is confusing
and seems to direct visitors away from Balboa Island, rather than towards it. The
Committee asked staff to look into the complaint.
3. EQAC Representative's Report
Arlene Greer reported that EQAC received presentations from the Banning Ranch
Conservancy regarding preservation of the land as open space, and from Newport
Banning Ranch regarding development. They do not expect to receive the Banning
Ranch EIR until mid-June for their review.
ITEMS FOR A FUTURE AGENDA
• General overview of draft Zoning Code
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Henn called for the meeting to be adjourned at 9:02 am.
EDC MINUTES 4-21-10 REVISED.doc