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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09 - Harbor Commission 2017 ObjectivesTO: FROM CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH City Council Staff Report January 24, 2017 Agenda Item No. 9 HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL David A. Webb, Public Works Director - 949-644-3311, dawebb@newportbeachca.gov PREPARED BY: Chris Miller, Harbor Resources Manager, cmiller@newportbeachca.gov PHONE: 949-644-3043 TITLE: Harbor Commission 2017 Objectives ABSTRACT: Each year, the Harbor Commission develops its Objectives for the coming year and presents them to the City Council for review and comments. The Harbor Commission is requesting the City Council review and approve their 2017 Objectives. RECOMMENDATION: a) Determine that the action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly; and b) Approve the Harbor Commission's 2017 Objectives. FUNDING REQUIREMENTS: There is no fiscal impact related to this item; however, the Harbor Commission's 2017 Objectives include projects which, when implemented, may require funding through the normal budgeting process. DISCUSSION: Over the past several months, the Harbor Commission has developed a list of 2017 Objectives which support its mission, and the mission of the Harbor Area Management Plan, which is: "To protect and improve the resources of Newport Harbor, Upper Newport Bay, and the Ocean Beaches to ensure their proper use and enjoyment by all things that derive life, recreation, or commerce from our City's most important asset. " 9-1 Harbor Commission 2017 Objectives January 24, 2017 Page 2 In keeping with this mission, the Harbor Commission's Objectives are intended to advance two overarching responsibilities: 1. Ensure the long term welfare of Newport Harbor for all residential, recreational, and commercial users; and 2. Promote Newport Harbor as a preferred and welcoming destination for visitors and residents alike. The Harbor Commission's specific objectives to support these two (2) statements are listed in Attachment A. The Harbor Commission approved these Objectives at the December 2016 meeting, and recommends they be reviewed and approved by the City Council. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: Staff recommends the City Council find this action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378). NOTICING - The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the meeting at which the City Council considers the item). ATTACHMENTS: Attachment A - Harbor Commission 2017 Objectives 9-2 ATTACHMENT A Newport Harbor Commission Objectives (As Approved by the Harbor Commission on December 10, 2016) Calendar Year 2017 These objectives are intended to support the mission of the Harbor Area Management Plan and the two most essential responsibilities of the Harbor Commission: (1) ensuring the long term welfare of Newport Harbor for all residential, recreational, and commercial users; (2) promoting Newport Harbor as a preferred and welcoming destination for visitors and residents alike. These calendar year 2017 objectives are subject to the review and approval of the Commission, and final approval by the Newport Beach City Council. Harbor Commission subcommittees, as established by the Commission, bear principal responsibility for coordinating the Commission's efforts with Harbor Resources Staff support in achieving these objectives. Ensuring the Long Term Welfare of Newport Harbor 1) Develop standard safety briefing materials and guidelines regarding stand up paddleboards and other human powered craft to be distributed to all public rental outlets in Newport Harbor for their required use in informing all rental customers of the rules and best practices for safe navigation in the harbor. The briefing materials will be reviewed by the Commission before presentation to the City Council for its authorization and any direction regarding the distribution and use of such materials. (Kenney, Blank, Girling,) 2) Secure California Department of Recreation approval for an amendment to the Harbor Code granting an exception to the harbor speed limit for sanctioned sail racing and human powered racing events. With such authorization recommend a Harbor Code amendment to the City Council. (Blank, Stapleton, West) 3) Establish a dialogue with representatives of the Harbor Charter Fleet industry to promote best practices for charter boat operations in Newport Harbor with particular attention to vessel specifications, noise and pollution control compliance and long range plans for berthing. (McIntosh, Blank, TBD) MA 2 4) Support Harbor Resources Division Staffs presentation of public information on the Regional General Permit 54 and related Newport Harbor Eelgrass Protection and Mitigation Plan. Support Staff in identifying any available means to streamline the permitting process for applicants. (West, Girling, Kenney) 5) Continued support for Harbor Resources Division staff and the Harbor Patrol in their efforts to identify and resolve the ongoing derelict vessels in the harbor. (Stapleton, TBD) Promoting Newport Harbor as a Preferred and Welcoming Destination 6) Complete the Commission's evaluation of two seasonal trials of the Turning Basin anchorage and develop a recommendation to the City Council regarding same. Evaluate the public's suggestion of establishing day moorings off Big Corona beach. (West, Kenney, McIntosh) 7) Collaborate with City Staff in creating a principally web -based update of The Complete Cruising Guide to Newport Harbor, first published by the Harbor Commission in 2010. (West, Stapleton) 8) Investigate the availability and sufficiency of public launch ramp facilities in the harbor and report findings to the Commission. Present a specific recommendation to the City Council, if appropriate. (Kenney, Girling, TBD)