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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApproved Minutes - March 10, 2015 CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH City Council Minutes Special Meeting/Joint Meeting of the City Council and Finance Committee March 10, 2015 Volume 62 - Page 232 I. ROLL CALL - 4:30 p.m. Present: Finance Committee Member Dixon, Finance Committee Member Petros, Finance Committee Member McCullough, Finance Committee Member Tucker, Finance Committee Member Wu, Finance Committee Chair Curry Present: Council Member Peotter, Council Member Petros, Council Member Curry, Council Member Duffield, Council Member Muldoon, Mayor Pro Tem Dixon, Mayor Selich Absent: Finance Committee Member Warner (excused) II. CURRENT BUSINESS 1. Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Early Look and Project Prioritization [100-2015] Mayor Selich recused himself regarding discussions about the Bayside Drive Rehabilitation – Marine Avenue to PCH Project because he resides on Bayside Drive. City Manager Kiff introduced the item and noted that this is the early look at what staff is proposing to include in the budget. Public Works Director Webb provided a PowerPoint presentation, addressing streets and drainage related to Bayside Drive. In response to Council questions, Public Works Director Webb noted the need to develop concepts in order for the City to apply for M2 or Active Transportation Program (ATP) grant funding. He was unsure whether ATP funding would apply and stated that staff is looking at the possibility of a roundabout on this street. Council Member Curry noted that this needs to be a major safety priority moving forward. Public Works Director Webb reported that staff is looking at safety and changing the street into more of a multimodal area. He added that there is a lot of bike traffic in the area and staff is looking at the possibility of a roundabout at the intersection of Harbor Drive and Bayside Drive. In response to Finance Committee Member Wu, Public Works Director Webb stated that there are cases where staff has tried but roundabouts have not been built. He referenced Ladera Ranch, noting a roundabout as an integral design element that works successfully. He suggested that staff consider the matter carefully before spending the money to implement a roundabout. In response to questions, Public Works Director Webb explained that placing a signal at the intersection would be an option, but addressed challenges, including costs and the need to meet speed warrants. He also noted that there is no room for installing a stop sign. Jim Mosher thanked staff for making the presentation available in advance and commented on the number of projects involved. City of Newport Beach Special Meeting/Joint Meeting of the City Council and Finance Committee March 10, 2015 Volume 62 - Page 233 Public Works Director Webb reported that the format was changed at the last minute due to Council conflicts and advice from the City Attorney's Office regarding recusals. Council Member Duffield recused himself regarding discussions about Mariners Mile – Highway Configuration and Land Use Review Project since he has a business in the area. Public Works Director Webb addressed the Mariners Mile highway configuration and land-use review as requested by residents to deal with traffic congestion and by area businesses to foster redevelopment. He noted that the City is working with the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) on a regional study and addressed a design charrette and funds available to start the design. He discussed possible funding sources, deferring costs, exploring public/private partnerships, and the need for further discussion on the matter. Council Member Petros noted that there is already an investment in the OCTA study, there is a set-aside for a consultant to do focused work, and the Community Development staff is engaged in land-use planning issues. He asked if this is a separate consideration and Public Works Director Webb stated that there are several projects but staff simply wants to reaffirm Council direction. Council Member Petros expressed support for continued diligence in the track that Council has set; indicating that he did not feel continuing it would require additional budgetary amounts. He added that the City is already on track and there is little impact on the current budget. In response to Mayor Selich's question, Public Works Director Webb addressed the deliverables. Council Member Peotter stated that he would like to see a detailed presentation on this matter before spending a lot of money on design. Public Works Director Webb noted that, in this case, there has been a significant amount of effort made and wanted to make sure that Council is aware of it and listed next steps. Council Member Peotter reported that the charrette is completely changing the way Mariners Mile functions and stated that it is not a decision that the Council has yet made. Council Member Curry stated that the matter has not been adequately designed to the point where Council knows what it will cost or what it will do. He noted the need to do some of the design work to answer those questions and know what this will look like to know whether to move forward with it or not. He stated that businesses in the neighborhood are very concerned with throughput and traffic, the solutions are complicated, and staff should continue working on it and bring it back to Council for decision-making. Finance Committee Member Wu stated that he sits on the OCTA M2 Oversight Committee and City Attorney Harp suggested that he recuse himself from this item. Finance Committee Member Wu recused himself since he serves on the OCTA M2 Oversight Committee that reviews M2 Funds. Public Works Director Webb reported that this item is a reaffirmation of Council direction and that staff has every intention to keep moving forward. Council Member Petros commented on the numerous Mariners Mile Association meetings he has attended where it has been discussed that the City is allowing this area to turn to blight. City of Newport Beach Special Meeting/Joint Meeting of the City Council and Finance Committee March 10, 2015 Volume 62 - Page 234 He stated that they would like to see this area revitalized and that residents believe that throughput and congestion are important issues to address. He added that there is momentum by virtue of the work that has already been done. Council Member Muldoon suggested speeding up the project and commented on improvements to the standard of living. Public Works Director Webb addressed CIP General Fund goals, new projects and re-budgets, and facilities. Mayor Selich asked regarding the life of the new apparatus for the Mariners Fire Station and Public Works Director Webb reported that the living quarters were rehabilitated several years ago and is in good shape. Regarding the apparatus bay, he stated that it would have a 50 year life. Council Member Curry stated that he is glad that staff is moving forward on the Corona del Mar Library and Fire Station. Public Works Director Webb addressed streets and drainage on 15th Street/Balboa Boulevard, Fiscal Year (FY) 14/15 residential street overlay, Irvine Avenue pavement rehab, Newport Boulevard/32nd Street modifications, and Ocean Boulevard and Poppy Avenue pavement reconstruction. In response to Mayor Selich’s question, Public Works Director Webb reported that the Cameo Shores project includes every residential street in Cameo Shores. Public Works Director Webb continued discussing streets and drainage projects, including PCH and Old Newport Boulevard street modifications, MacArthur Boulevard pavement rehab, FY 15/16 street lighting replacement, storm drain system video evaluation, and the Citywide concrete and pavement replacement program. In response to Council Member Petros’ question regarding PCH and Old Newport Boulevard, Deputy Public Works Director Vukojevic stated that two alternatives in the environmental analysis are being considered including a right-of-way swap and a right-of-way acquisition. Public Works Director Webb addressed transportation projects, water quality and environmental projects, and parks, harbor and beaches projects. Council Member Petros asked regarding the American Legion bulkhead and Public Works Director Webb noted that it is a City responsibility. Public Works Director Webb addressed water and wastewater projects. In response to Mayor Pro Tem Dixon's question, Public Works Director Webb reported that the list presented is a list of projects currently in motion and needing further discussion. He added that the list has been sorted by priority and by ability for possible outside contributions or self-help. City Manager Kiff added that they are in alphabetic order within the various blocks. In response to Council Member Peotter's question, he stated that staff is hoping that Council will express their comments on the various projects and provide guidance and direction.