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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-03-09_BVAC_Minutes_Approved CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH BALBOA VILLAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES Location: Marina Park, Bay Island Room (2nd Floor) 1600 West Balboa Boulevard, Newport Beach Wednesday, March 9, 2016 - 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER Mayor Dixon called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m. The following persons were in attendance: Balboa Village Advisory Committee Members: Diane Dixon, Mayor (Chair) Tony Petros, Council Member (excused absence) Gloria Oakes, Balboa Peninsula Point Association Ralph Rodheim, Balboa Village Merchant Association - arrived at 4:20 p.m. Grace Dove, Central Newport Beach Community Association Linda Mayer, ExplorOcean Representative Jim Stratton, At-Large Representative Staff Members: Kimberly Brandt, Community Development Director Brenda Wisneski, Deputy Community Development Director Benjamin Zdeba, Associate Planner Dave Webb, Public Works Director II. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS (comments limited to 3 minutes) Interested parties were invited to address the Committee on Non -Agendized Items. W. R. Dildine noted a zip code correction on the City’s website. Jim Mosher spoke regarding the terms and purpose of the committee and noted there had not been any action taken regarding this matter. In response, Deputy Director Brenda Wisneski responded that item is scheduled for a City Council meeting April. III. ITEMS FOR REVIEW 1. MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 10, 2016 (ATTACHMENT 1) Recommended Action: Approve February 10, 2016 Minutes. Mayor Dixon opened public comments. Noting there were none, Mayor Dixon closed public comments. MOTION: A motion was made by Committee Member Dove, seconded by Committee Member Oakes, to approve the minutes from the February 10, 2016 meeting. The motion carried (5 – 0, 2 absent) by the following vote: AYES: Dixon, Dove, Oakes, Mayer, Stratton NOES: None ABSENT: Petros, Rodheim ABSTAIN: None 2. AREA BENEFIT DISTRICT FUND EXPENDITURES (ATTACHMENT 2) Recommended Action: Discuss and recommend expenditure of Area Benefit Funds Deputy Director Brenda Wisneski provided a brief presentation. She noted that the Area Benefit District Fund is also interchangeably called the Parking Benefit District. There is a great amount of flexibility on how the funds can be used as they are to enhance and supplement the services of the District itself. The handout included with the agenda shows the remaining balance of the Area Benefit District Fund as projected through Fiscal Year 2016-2017. The BVAC should determine whether it wants to make a recommendation to the City Council in regard to the expenditure of these funds. She referred to the number of projects that are currently underway including the Gateway sign, Wayfinding sign program, and the Shuttle Program application submission, which are all candidates for use of the funds. Mayor Dixon inquired regarding whether only the items presented should be considered or should they be bringing other projects to the table. Deputy Director Wisneski responded that the Committee has a number of options in regard to the funds including the projects presented, proposing new projects, or holding on to the funds for future expenditures. The funds will remain in the account for future expenditures if not expended. Committee Member Dove suggested Phase I for Balboa Boulevard, which would require saving up funds. Deputy Director Brenda Wisneski commented that large scale projects are phased and funds could be applied for different phases. The streetscape improvement program includes refreshing the streetscape (furniture, landscaping, trashcans, and lighting). Phase I would be Balboa Boulevard, Main Street, and then the Fun Zone Boardwa lk. This is not a “City” area. Public Works Director Dave Webb spoke about the magnitude of a large scale project such as the streetscape. This can be done in phases and it makes sense to take on a big chunk at once so that you get more bang for your buck. The Committee may want to wait until next year and do the entire Balboa Boulevard all at once. Approximately 10 percent would be for design efforts. Discussion ensued regarding entering the planning and design phases in order to get the projects “shovel ready” for when funding becomes available. Committee Member Stratton recalled that the Area Benefit District Fund was originally going into the General Fund and part of that would not be used to benefit Balboa Village. They pushed early on to get this separated out from the General Fund to have monies to do specific projects such as the façade program. The intent to separate was not to provide money for infrastructure. The City should be taking care of infrastructure (streets, sidewalks, lights) and this money was intended to specifically benefit Balboa Village for things such as an “artistic sidewalk” versus just sidewalk replacement. His suggestion would be paying for hanging lights or the Gateway Sign, or items that are specific to Balboa Village. Mayor Dixon inquired whether General Fund or Area Benefit District Funds should be used for infrastructure. Director Webb responded and spoke regarding existing improvements that have taken place through the General Fund. The extras , such as decorative items, would be a good use of the Area Benefit District Fund. Mayor Dixon suggested a unique look and feel for Balboa Village such as hanging plants, landscaping, and nicely designed trashcans, in order to dress up the area. Committee Member Mayer was unclear as to why the City does not have a sense of responsibility for the character of Balboa Village. Director Webb provided information regarding improvement districts. He used the area around Disneyland as an example and referenced the Corona del Mar Business Improvement District. He noted the special improvements are partially paid for by funds levied as part of the assessments in each improvement district. Committee Member Mayer inquired whether it is the Committee’s responsibility to spend the funds. Director Brandt provided an overview on the private consultant that came on to provide input on the streetscape improvements. There was a design scheme for each of the streets. The Committee recommended those items to the City Council with the understanding that those improvements would be funded by the Area Benefit District Funds. There was no specific timeframe set and it was the Committee’s goal to move the projects forward and get them going. Council would then have to determine the priority of the projects. Committee Member Rodheim arrived at 4:20 p.m. Mayor Dixon inquired regarding the potential to take a loan from the General Fund. It was discussed as an option to recommend to the City Council in order to expedite projects. Director Brandt spoke regarding the advantages of the design phase including preparing plans which could help determine costs going forward. Committee Member Stratton was hoping that some of these funds could go for making things pretty and welcoming, but also to the Merchant’s Association or Business District for promotion of the Village. There is nothing in the proposed projects for that. Discussion ensued regarding the Special Event process, which provides funding for the Merchant’s Association. Director Webb clarified that when you vote in an assessment district, you have to determine specifically the nature of where the funds would go as part of the process. Mayor Dixon stated that the Façade Improvement Program comes from the different source of funds. That is directly related to helping the Merchant ’s Association. Committee Member Stratton inquired about the funding for the Shuttle Program. The County requires a minimum of 10 percent and discussion ensued regarding the potential sources of funding. Deputy Director Wisneski referred to page 13, NBMC 12.44.029 .A.3 which is the specific language from the Ordinance which determines what the funds can be used for. The projects proposed are in compliance with the Ordinance. Committee Member Rodheim inquired about the Arts Fund for use for art projects. Director Brandt clarified that Cultural Arts Fund resources are associated with Development Agreements, which have a Public Benefit Fee tied to it. She expressed the belief that two percent is set aside for Cultural Arts purposes and noted she is not specifically familiar with the types of projects they can be used for. Mayor Dixon inquired about the use of funds related to the sale of the Balboa Theatre for public art and similar uses. It was noted these funds would not be available for streetscape projects. Committee Member Oakes inquired if the City buys trash cans, but the BVAC wants better ones, could the Committee use the funds to pay for the incremental costs. Staff confirmed that it is possible the funds can be used for that purpose. Mayor Dixon opened public comments. Marcel Ford stated the City is doing a great job. There are palm trees on Main Street which he would like changed out. Staff responded this is part of the streetscape plan and would be replacing these trees. Janis Dinwiddie stated if the Committee is going to do the trees on Main Street then they should also do the trees on Balboa Boulevard. It is a mixture of different tree types rather than a uniform look. Howard Hall expressed concern about parking and how the Committee never wanted to compare Balboa Village to Balboa Island, which has a viable Business District even in the winter months. They have inviting two-hour parking. The Balboa Island residents support their District and it is a more inviting business area. He would like to invite people to the Village during the winter time and expressed a belief that the current parking situation in the Village does the opposite. Mayor Dixon inquired regarding the parking validation programs. Discussion ensued regarding the outreach, marketing and usage of the parking permits and validation program. It was noted that the merchant must enter into the validation program through the Parkmobile system. Staff went to the Merchant’s Association meeting and presented the information to everyone in attendance. One of the Merchant’s Association members stated that it is a hard sell for the Merchants to start validating. This would be the time to improve the marketing program for the $16.00 resident permit program. Decals could be made and placed in the store windows to advertise. It could also be placed in the water bill to let residents of Newport Beach know this service is available. Committee Member Stratton inquired as to why the City even bothers with the $16.00 cost as there does not seem to be any administrative costs. Mayor Dixon suggested that part of the funds go to pay for residential parking permits for the Balboa Village area. Discussion ensued regarding the various parking permit programs. Jim Mosher thanked staff for discussion of the menu of allowable options the funds could be expended for, including the streetscape improvements. He would like to review the options and suggested trying to acquire additional parking to solve the summer parking problem. The idea of using the f unds for free resident parking may present a problem or conflict with the Coastal Commission. The $5,000 proposed for the Shuttle Program is not guaranteed, as the idea is the OCTA is going to pay predicated upon a level of success. Staff suggested expending the funds for the design efforts for Phase I and II of the streetscape program and would refine the concept further. It would refresh everyone as to what the project is all about. Discussion ensued regarding the costs for each of the phases. There is a concept schematic planned. Committee Member Dove mentioned the benefits of the shuttle in all areas, not just the Village. Marcel Ford commented on the $15,000 from a Balboa Village enhancements plan and whether there are any ideas from that plan being utilized. Staff confirmed that the proposed projects are related to that original plan. Mayor Dixon explained that the community plans that were worked on over several years are now coming to fruition. The Committee would be taking some portion of the funds, approximately $90,000, to support the design endeavors. Seeing no further speakers, Mayor Dixon closed public comments. MOTION: A motion was made by Committee Member Stratton, seconded by Committee Member Mayer to recommend funding the design phase with the caveat to pay extra attention to bicycles and having places to park bicycles. The motion carried (6 – 0, 1 absent) by the following vote: AYES: Dixon, Dove, Oakes, Rodheim, Mayer, Stratton NOES: None ABSENT: Petros ABSTAIN: None Mayor Dixon suggested looking at the rental bike programs such as is occurring in certain cities. Staff stated that there was some discussion about it and it is an expensive undertaking because of the locking infrastructure required. Also, there are businesses which rent bikes in the Village and that may impact them economically. 3. GENERAL UPDATES a. Shuttle Grant Program – Submitted February 29, 2016 b. Façade Improvement Program c. Residential Permit Parking Program (RP3) Deputy Director Wisneski noted the application for grant funding of the Shuttle Program was submitted on February 29, 2016 with hopes of hearing back in April. It is a very competitive program even though the amount of funds granted is small. Deputy Director Wisneski also spoke about the Façade Improvement Program , which has about $76,000 that has been requested. Twenty-five total applications have been submitted with nine actual agreements in place. There are sixteen still waiting and in need of additional information, but she noted that Associate Planner Ben Zdeba has been very good at reaching out and following up. There was discussion regarding marketing with mailers and outreach to those businesses who have not yet taken advantage of the program. Associate Planner Zdeba also mentioned a discussion with the property owner of the Balboa Pharmacy building and noted the owner’s interest in renovating the entire building on the prominent street corner. Discussion followed regarding the sale of a specific property that was damaged by fire. Mayor Dixon asked to be kept updated on the Façade Improvement Program so she can announce it to the public. Mayor Dixon inquired regarding the RP3. Staff responded that it was still with the Coastal Commission. IV. PUBLIC COMMENT Mayor Dixon opened public comments. Janis Dinwiddie inquired about what would prohibit someone from coming in an d demolishing a building. Staff stated that it would depend if it is a historically significant structure. Howard Hall spoke regarding the instability of the Coastal Commission due to the recent firing of its Executive Director. He expressed a belief that the RP3 review will be a longer process as a result. Kelly O’Donovan Carlson stated merchants do not have ideas about what they can do to improve their exteriors. Discussion ensued regarding having a workshop as to what is available for façade improvements. A good idea would be to have a meeting focused on the type of improvements that are available and allowable. Mayor Dixon inquired about the Balboa Theater. Staff stated that there are two good offers and they will be moving forward with one of them. One is expected to come to the City Council in open session in April. Mayor Dixon closed public comments. V. ADJOURNMENT (Meeting End Time: 5:30 p.m.) The meeting adjourned at 5:01 p.m. Next Meeting Date: April 13, 2016, at 4:00 p.m. – Location: Bay Island Room, Marina Park