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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-04-19_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, April 19, 2017 – 4:00 p.m. I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER Chair Dixon called the meeting to order at 4:01 pm. The following persons were in attendance: Balboa Village Advisory Committee Members: Diane Dixon, Council Member (Chair) Marcel Ford, Balboa Village Merchants Association Grace Dove, Central Newport Beach Community Association Jim Stratton, At-Large Representative Staff Members: Kimberly Brandt, Community Development Director Brenda Wisneski, Deputy Community Development Director Benjamin Zdeba, Associate Planner II. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS W. R. Dildine inquired whether the Committee should discuss converting existing land uses to commercial uses in the upcoming General Plan update. Director Brandt stated the General Plan update would provide a format for reviewing the appropriateness of land use designations, and is expected to begin late fall of 2017. III. ITEMS FOR REVIEW 1. MINUTES OF MARCH 15, 2017 Recommended Action: Approve March 15, 2017 Minutes MOTION: A motion was made by Committee Member Ford, seconded by Committee Member Stratton, to approve the minutes of the March 15, 2017 meeting as presented. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: Dixon, Ford, Dove, Stratton NOES: None ABSENT: Avery, Oakes, Wheeler ABSTAIN: None 2. UPDATES a. Balboa Peninsula Trolley b. Facade Improvement Program c. Walk-About Outcomes Recommended Action: No action required Balboa Village Advisory Committee April 19, 2017 Minutes Page 2 Chair Dixon thanked the public for speaking in support of the trolley pilot program at the recent City Council meeting. She noted the current estimated ridership is projected at about 437 people per day, but added that is a conservative projection. Deputy Director Wisneski agreed to bring a Visit Newport Beach representative to discuss marketing for the trolley to a future meeting. Current marketing plans include a video, outreach to hotels and businesses, and concerted marketing materials. Trolley service would begin June 17. She added that Katy of Visit Newport Beach contributed several ideas for kick-off events. The cost per rider is estimated to be $7.28. The estimated ridership of 437 was based upon the minimum amount of riders needed to fulfill grant requirements. Based upon experiences in Dana Point and the captive audience in Balboa Village, ridership would likely be much higher. The City has been authorized use of a little over 40 parking spaces in Hoag's lower lot. If the City can demonstrate trolley parking does not impact Hoag patients and employees or surrounding residents, then the City could approach acquiring additional parking spaces if needed. The agreement with Hoag as currently written does not provide for use of additional spaces; however, there are additional parking spaces available that could be used in the future. Chair Dixon suggested staff find alternative parking as a backup plan. Deputy Director Wisneski noted the feasibility study reviewed a few other potential parking areas. Committee Member Ford felt local residents and renters would provide 500 riders by lunchtime. Deputy Director Wisneski added that trolley flyers could be placed in vacation rentals to spread the word. Committee Member Stratton recalled Committee Member Dove's suggestion to modify the trolley route halfway through the day if no riders are boarding or offloading at Hoag. He emphasized notifying the trolley operator of the City's interest in doing that if needed. Deputy Director Wisneski reported staff would be analyzing ridership data to modify routes if necessary, but service would have to meet the advertised schedule. Chair Dixon emphasized the importance of staff monitoring demand and ridership. Committee Member Ford questioned whether trolleys could skip the stop at the parking lot if no one onboard wanted to exit the trolley at the parking lot. Deputy Director Wisneski remarked that a potential passenger could be waiting for the trolley in the parking lot waiting for the trolley to pick up. Deputy Director Wisneski noted the mobile application for the trolley would include a hotline for real-time communication. Committee Member Dove suggested a passenger waiting at the parking lot could call the hotline to request service. Howard Hall asserted the trolley service should be advertised so that the public was aware of the schedule and designated stops. Deputy Director Wisneski felt the key to success is advertising and marketing. Each of the 20 trolley stops will provide a map of stops. The mobile application will also show the real-time location of trolleys. Chair Dixon suggested placing flyers and brochures at libraries and fire stations. Jim Mosher noted the parking area was at the back of the Hoag lower lot and inquired about access. Deputy Director Wisneski advised that cars would turn onto Hoag Street to reach the parking area. Directional signage would be located along the street. Mr. Mosher expressed the concern that the parking area will not as visible as it appears to be in aerial photographs. Director Brandt added that parking for Hoag is generally not visible from Coast Highway. The key will be making the turn off Coast Highway and then seeing the directional signage. Deputy Director Wisneski remarked that learning whether the bulk of ridership will originate at the Hoag parking lot or other stops will ultimately determine the importance of the Hoag lot. Balboa Village Advisory Committee April 19, 2017 Minutes Page 3 In response to Mr. Dildine's question, Chair Dixon indicated they could consider a trolley route to Balboa Pier to pick up riders of the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Route 47A bus. Associate Planner Zdeba provided an update on the Façade Improvement Program. Currently, 23 agreements have been signed, and 11 intent forms have been submitted but are lacking substantiating documents. At the next meeting, he will provide a list of completed projects. He estimated about eight or ten projects have been completed. Committee Member Ford noted an upcoming project for 611, 613, and 615 East Balboa, which includes extending the brick façade to the corner. The owner of the French restaurant had completed painting the building. Associate Planner Zdeba stated that Natural Nails by Dais y had submitted an application to replace its awning. If a tenant submits an application for the Façade Program, the building owner cannot also take advantage of those funds. Committee Member Ford stated Patty Macs needs a new sign, but is delaying. In reply to Mr. Dildine's inquiry, Deputy Director Wisneski reported Balboa Bikes had submitted building permit plans for tenant improvements to remedy the fire damage. She stated that the business owner had purchased improvement materials and spent money on designing the remodel plans prior to the fire occurring. She added that as of today, the business owner had returned $2,700 of the $10,000 grant. In response to Mr. Mosher's question, Associate Planner Zdeba explained the numbers in the data indicates the number of tenants for a property. The "4" for the drug store building indicates four tenants with a separate agreement for each tenant. Chair Dixon appreciated City staff attending the walkabout in March. Associate Planner Zdeba reported 30 items were identified during the walkabout, 12 of which have already been completed. The appropriate staff person for each item is listed and could be contacted with questions. Deputy Director Wisneski advised that a quarterly update would be provided to the Committee. In response to Mr. Mosher's question, Deputy Director Wisneski stated public notice of the walkabout was not needed as there was not a quorum of Committee Members. Mr. Mosher suggested future walkabouts be included in the City's website calendar. Committee Member Stratton noted the Harborside Pavilion had been repainted. It still does not look good as it is brighter with black scuffs on it. He suggested the Committee discuss it again in the next quarter. He added the power washing schedule should be weekly year-round and should not be seasonal. In reply to Chair Dixon's question, Associate Planner Zdeba advised that fencing the area next to the Harborside Restaurant was not conducive to the restaurant's operations. Committee Member Stratton suggested screening the area from the boardwalk such that no gate is necessary. Mr. Dildine reported the lithocrete sidewalks on Balboa Boulevard between A Street and Main Street and from Palm Street to Adams Street are not being washed. In response to Chair Dixon's question, Committee Member Ford advised that the owner of Maverick's had hired a commercial broker to market the property at an attractive price. Deputy Director Wisneski reported Municipal Operations Department is working to replace equipment to combat the sulfuric odor emanating from the bay. Future odors should be reported to the Municipal Operations Department. 3. BALBOA PARKING FUND RECOMMENDATIONS a. Wayfinding Sign Program b. Streetscape Improvements Recommended Action: Review and Confirm Funding Recommendations Balboa Village Advisory Committee April 19, 2017 Minutes Page 4 Deputy Director Wisneski advised that Associate Planner Zdeba and she met with the public for comments on wayfinding signage. The plan had always been to remove the blue circular wayfinding signs entirely and install signage unique to Balboa Village. The original cost estimate has been reduced from $370,000 to approximately $240,000 by removing the gateway sign, reducing the number of directional signs, and simplifying kiosk design. The next step will be working with a consultant to simplify the kiosk design. Director Brandt suggested retaining the budget of $370,000, reducing the scope of work for the project in order to determine the actual cost, and then reallocating the difference to another project. In response to Committee Member Stratton's inquiries, Deputy Director Wisneski indicated the original plan included four kiosks. The group had discussed placing a kiosk at each of the four corners of Balboa Village. Committee Member Stratton recommended one be located at Main Street and the Boardwalk, and Committee Member Ford recommended another at Main Street and the pharmacy or at the Pavilion. Committee Member Dove felt simplicity was important for people who are not used to reading maps. Janis Dinwiddie requested a schematic of the gateway sign and specifications for banners. Deputy Director Wisneski agreed to provide those. In reply to Mr. Mosher's question, Deputy Director Wisneski stated the design of directional signage would not change from that which was already approved by the Committee. Mr. Mosher remarked that specialty poles would cost more than standard poles. MOTION: A motion was made by Committee Member Dove, seconded by Committee Member Ford, for staff to proceed with the modified sign program and determining locations. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: Dixon, Ford, Dove, Stratton NOES: None ABSENT: Avery, Oakes, Wheeler ABSTAIN: None Deputy Director Wisneski advised that the walkabout identified immediate concerns of having a consistent trash can design, consistent color for pot planters, and installing bike racks. The overall streetscape program includes hardscape improvements, but the current item focuses on aesthetics. Staff does not recommend implementing or modifying the Streetscape Plan rather the Committee can select elements of it to implement. The Committee discussed the concrete trash receptacle design used throughout the City, eliminating plastic trash receptacles, the ease of cleaning concrete and metal trash receptacles, fiberglass lids on concrete cans looking shoddy, metal trash cans consistent with planters, and contacting Municipal Operations Department for advantages and disadvantages of concrete and metal trash receptacles. The Committee reached a consensus to implement the metal, economy version of trash can because it should be easier to clean and will last longer. With respect to bike racks, the Committee discussed the number of bikes that could be attached to the proposed custom designed rack; placing one proposed style and one existing style in the same area to determine usage; adding the logo graphic to 25 percent of bike racks and placing them in strategic locations; and the cost of bike racks with the logo of $1,800 versus $700 for no logo. Balboa Village Advisory Committee April 19, 2017 Minutes Page 5 Committee Member Ford agreed to speak with Kelly Carlson regarding potential locations for bike racks, and Deputy Director Wisneski would review the Bike Master Plan for suggested locations and obtain a price for a bike rack without a logo. Deputy Director Wisneski suggested painting planters dark gray to match the bike racks and trash cans. Deputy Director Wisneski advised that the Streetscape Plan recommended some trees on Balboa Boulevard be replaced with palms. She had heard mixed comments about changing the palms on Main Street. She noted she would speak with the City's landscape manager about varieties from the Streetscape Plan that would be ideal. In addition, the ground cover needed refreshing. Chair Dixon liked the proposed up-lighting for the palm trees. Deputy Director Wisneski indicated staff would need to identify funds for lighting and then follow the City's process to determine locations and styles of lighting. Committee Member Stratton suggested staff develop a plan for extending electricity to lighting locations first. Committee Member Dove suggested staff review recent improvements at 15th Street to evaluate usage and wear. Deputy Director Wisneski reported $90,000 had been allocated in the budget for streetscape improvements, and staff would request additional funds through the budget. Director Brandt clarified that staff would compile a proposal based on the Committee's comments for trash receptacles, bike racks, and landscaping for City Council consideration. Staff would utilize the $90,000 in the current budget and request additional funds. Once the full amount is budgeted, staff would refine the details with the Committee. Because the Capital Improvement Program will be presented to the City Council in early May, staff will not have time to meet with the Committee for additional direction in advance. In response to Committee Member Stratton's concerns regarding property owners not improving their buildings through the Façade Program, Committee Member Ford suggested a deadline be placed on the Façade Improvement Program. Director Brandt stated that there is momentum building in Balboa Village that should lead property owners to invest in their properties. MOTION: A motion was made by Committee Member Stratton, seconded by Committee Member Ford, to direct staff to prepare an estimate for the proposed budget to reflect the streetscape improvements discussed. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: Dixon, Ford, Dove, Stratton NOES: None ABSENT: Avery, Oakes, Wheeler ABSTAIN: None In reply to Mr. Dildine's concerns about the transfer of funds for the ferry dock archway sign, Deputy Director Wisneski stated she would look into the funding and provide information at a later time. 4. BALBOA PARKING MANAGEMENT FUNDS Recommended Action: Recommend Expenditure for FY 17/18 Parking Management Fund Note: This discussion was had during the previous item number 3. IV. PUBLIC COMMENT None. Balboa Village Advisory Committee April 19, 2017 Minutes Page 6 V. ADJOURNMENT (Meeting End Time: 5:18 p.m. The meeting ended at 5:18 p.m. Next meeting Date: May 17, 2017, at 4:00 p.m. in the Little Balboa Room at Marina Park