HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-03-15_BVAC_Minutes_Approved CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
BALBOA VILLAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
Location: Marina Park, Bay Island Room
1600 West Balboa Boulevard, Newport Beach
Wednesday, March 15, 2017—4 p.m.
I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Chair Dixon called the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m.
The following persons were in attendance:
Balboa Village Advisory Committee Members:
Diane Dixon, Council Member (Chair)
Brad Avery, Council Member
Gloria Oakes, Balboa Peninsula Point Association
Marcel Ford, Balboa Village Merchants Association
Grace Dove, Central Newport Beach Community Association
Mike Wheeler, OceanQuest Representative
Jim Stratton, At-Large Representative
Staff Members:
Kimberly Brandt, Community Development Director
Brenda Wisneski, Deputy Community Development Director
Tony Brine, City Traffic Engineer
Benjamin Zdeba, Associate Planner
II. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS
None.
III. ITEMS FOR REVIEW
1. MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 15, 2017
Recommended Action: Approve February 15, 2017 Minutes
MOTION: A motion was made by Committee Member Stratton, seconded by Committee Member Wheeler,
to approve the minutes of the February 15, 2017 meeting as presented.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Dixon, Avery, Oakes, Ford, Dove, Wheeler, Stratton
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
2. SHUTTLE BRANDING PROGRAM
a. Review Revised Design Schemes
Recommended Action: Select Scheme for Shuttle Brand
Deputy Director Wisneski presented four proposed schemes for the Balboa Peninsula Trolley. Schemes
from the prior meeting were modified based on comments made at the February meeting. Scheme 4 was
not shown at the February meeting, but was designed to be similar to City signage in the area and included
in the survey, which sought input regarding the four design schemes. Survey responses totaled 378 and
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March 15, 2017 Minutes
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showed a preference for Schemes 2 and 3. An informal survey of City staff also favored Schemes 2 and
3. Deputy Director Wisneski noted that there was a substantial increase in "Other" responses to the survey
due to a social media effort regarding the survey that incorrectly referred to taxpayer funds paying for the
trolley. In the first year, the schemes could be modified so that the shuttles would look like trolleys. A
marketing program would include banners on poles and a sign program.
In response to Committee Member Oakes'question, Deputy Director Wisneski advised that the survey was
open until Friday, March 17, but she did not expect preferences to change significantly with additional
responses.
Committee Member Stratton felt visibility was the key factor and liked the retro look and red color of Scheme
3. He added the trolley in Scheme 2 might be mistaken for a motor home and expressed importance for
the trolley to be eye catching.
Committee Member Ford noted historically trolleys were red and that the wave scheme was not distinctive.
In reply to Committee Member Dove's question, Deputy Director Wisneski suggested the number 10 shown
in the scheme was likely the stop number or destination number, and would likely change on
implementation.
Committee Member Wheeler believed the color red and theme were important. He concurred with reasons
stated in support of Scheme 3.
Chair Dixon remarked that the color red was stronger and more visible.
Howard Hall, resident, preferred the historical scheme in red and hoped the trolley would not be noisy.
In response to resident Crystal Chavez's question, Deputy Director Wisneski reported in year one trolleys
would be powered with compressed natural gas (CNG)and afterwards with petroleum gasoline.
The Committee reached consensus regarding use of Scheme 3.
Chair Dixon and Deputy Director Wisneski reported the shuttle would operate from early June through
Labor Day on Saturday and Sunday, and clarified the shuttle was not intended to compete with existing
public transit. It was designed to move visitors up and down the Peninsula. Offsite parking in the Hoag
Hospital lot would be free.
In reply to resident Jennie Yonkers' inquiry, Deputy Director Wisneski indicated the City did not have to
repay grant funds should the shuttle not be successful or continue shuttle operations beyond the first year.
Grant funds would be available over a seven-year period.
Chair Dixon advised that the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) had eliminated a bus route
on the Peninsula, and the shuttle would help replace that route.
Committee Member Stratton expressed concern about trolleys being caught in stalled or slow-moving
traffic. Deputy Director Wisneski agreed with his concern. However, the number of shuttles and shuttle
headways were based upon a feasibility analysis conducted in the actual traffic environment. Committee
Member Ford added that the first year of the program would be a learning experience. Committee Member
Dove suggested one or two trolleys traveling in circular routes could help when traffic was stalled. Chair
Dixon recalled one consultant discussing modifications to the route from Lido to Balboa Village. Deputy
Director Wisneski reported the proposed vendor had experience in designing routes and would collect data
regarding trips and passengers. Routes could then be adjusted based on the proposed vendor's experience
and data.
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In response to Chair Dixon's question, Deputy Director Wisneski advised that staff had not considered
allowing people to flag trolleys for boarding, but they could discuss it.
In reply to Committee Member Dove's inquiry, Deputy Director Wisneski indicated the trolley would have
designated routes with scheduled stops. Staff could explore alternate routes to circumvent traffic
congestion. Kelly Carlson, resident, suggested talking with current bus drivers about possible alternative
routes.
In response to Chair Dixon's question, Committee Member Ford noted merchants could display posters to
help market the trolley. Committee Member Wheeler reported Fun Zone messaging for weekend activities
would include the trolley. Deputy Director Wisneski offered to provide artwork for Fun Zone's messaging.
Kelly Carlson reminded everyone to add the trolley to websites.
In response to Howard Hall's question, Deputy Director Wisneski remarked that the right-of-way along
Route 55 belonged to Caltrans. Route 55 would be critical for marketing the trolley to visitors, and staff had
ideas about that.
In reply to Committee Member Ford's inquiry, Deputy Director Wisneski indicated staff had not discussed
placing advertising inside the trolleys. Dana Point trolleys contained screens showing activities and
destinations. Chair Dixon believed that could be a future business model to help the trolley pay for itself.
3. 2017 PRIORITIES
a. 2017 Priorities
b. Street Scape Plan
C. Wayfinding Sign program
Recommended Action: Review and Confirm Funding Priorities
Deputy Director Wisneski reported the list of 2017 Priorities had been updated with funding associated with
each program. The shuttle, fagade, and wayfinding sign programs were fully funded. The Public Works
Department planned to construct the wayfinding sign program over the next year. The Committee could
continue funding as originally planned or make adjustments. The streetscape program was partially funded
with $90,000. It was designed to refresh the area with new furniture, trash cans, bike racks, paving, and
artwork. Chair Dixon noted the streetscape and wayfinding plans were meant to help rejuvenate Balboa
Village.
Deputy Director Wisneski advised that the wayfinding sign program was created primarily due to the
challenges in finding parking and navigating the area. The wayfinding sign program recommended
eliminating some signs and installing new signs focused on simpler directions. Delaying implementation of
kiosk signage would save $100,000, which could be reallocated to the streetscape plan.
Kelly Carlson felt four kiosk signs were too many for the small area; however, visitors are often lost.
Perhaps the signs could be smaller and more generic. Committee Member Ford suggested placing one
sign at the ferry and one at the pavilion or on Main Street by the boardwalk.
In response to Chair Dixon's inquiry, Deputy Director Wisneski advised that the plan called for 11 directional
signs.
Committee Member Ford suggested use of the color red and historical lettering on directional signs would
tie in with the trolley.
Deputy Director Wisneski advised that text on signs could be modified. Funding was needed to begin the
design phase and to identify locations.
Howard Hall commented regarding the number of visitors and delivery truck drivers who got lost in the area.
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In response to Jennie Yonkers'questions, Deputy Director Wisneski indicated the City did not have design
review committees. Outside consultants had developed the schemes. The City did have design guidelines
with which new development had to comply. Chair Dixon stated signage would be discussed at the April 3
Town Hall meeting. She wanted community input and engagement. Ms. Yonkers remarked regarding the
number of City meetings and the lack of community awareness of City projects.
Committee Member Oakes reported she distributes BVAC meeting agendas to Peninsula Point residents
when she receives them.
In reply to Chair Dixon's inquiry, Deputy Director Wisneski advised that the City Council approved the design
in 2014. The next question was funding. Chair Dixon did not wish to change the design because the City
Council had already approved it. She wanted to obtain community input regarding the number, type, and
location of signs.
Kelly Carlson felt there were too many proposed designs and too many signs on the streets. A kiosk sign
would be more meaningful than many signs directing visitors to the ferry.
Deputy Director Wisneski indicated the cost for designing kiosk and wayfinding signs was estimated at
$370,000. Not all the proposed signs had to be fabricated and installed. She recommended retaining the
budget for wayfinding signs.
In reply to Committee Member Stratton's question, Deputy Director Wisneski advised that the sign
consultant recommended sign contents based upon his observations of what was needed in the area.
BVAC did review his recommendations. Content of the signs may have to be changed.
A Committee Member noted signs referred to Balboa Island rather than Balboa Village.
Deputy Director Wisneski requested the Committee confirm the amount of money it wished to dedicate to
implementation. In the design phase, two or more members of the Committee could help determine
locations and sign content. She recommended retaining the current budget so that the Committee could
determine the number of signs and sign content at a later time.
Chair Dixon appointed Jennie Yonkers, Marcel Ford, Mike Wheeler, and Kelly Carlson to a working group
to provide recommendations regarding the number, location, and text of signs.
Jim Mosher, resident, noted two kiosk signs were shown on the location map and questioned whether the
pricing for four kiosk signs reflected the two signs being double-sided.
Deputy Director Wisneski recalled the walking tour of Balboa Village planned for March 23 at 2 p.m.
Participants were welcome to point out areas needing work.
4. BALBOA PARKING MANAGEMENT FUNDS
Recommended Action: Recommend Expenditure for FY 17118 Parking Management Fund
Chair Dixon announced the Parking Fund would be discussed at the April BVAC meeting. The amount
would remain the same, but there were no specific allocations.
IV. PUBLIC COMMENT
Committee Member Ford suggested the walking tour look at brighter street lamps rather than more street
lamps.
Deputy Director Wisneski also reported the City Attorney's Office was working on amending City Council
policy to allow string lights.
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March 15, 2017 Minutes
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V. ADJOURNMENT (Meeting End Time: 4:57 p.m.)
The meeting ended at 4:57 p.m.
Next meeting Date: April 19, 2017, at 4:00 p.m. in the Bay Island Room at Marina Park