Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-09-20_BVAC_Minutes_Approved CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH BALBOA VILLAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES Location: Marina Park, Little Balboa Island Room 1600 West Balboa Boulevard, Newport Beach Wednesday, September 20, 2017 – 4 p.m. I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER Chair Dixon called the meeting to order at 4 pm. The following persons attended: Balboa Village Advisory Committee Members: Diane Dixon, Council Member (Chair) Marcel Ford, Balboa Village Merchants Association Grace Dove, Central Newport Beach Community Association Mike Wheeler, OceanQuest Representative Jim Stratton, At-Large Representative Staff Members: Seimone Jurjis, Community Development Director Brenda Wisneski, Deputy Community Development Director Tony Brine, City Traffic Engineer Mike Sinacori, Assistant City Engineer Benjamin Zdeba, Associate Planner Chair Dixon introduced Seimone Jurjis, the new Community Development Director. II. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS Jim Mosher suggested the Committee update the to-do list from the walkabout, provide an accounting of the Parking Management Fund, and determine the status of the waiver of off-street parking. Committee Member Stratton stated money spent for façade improvements and clean sidewalks was well spent. He suggested the Committee utilize the Balboa Village Master Plan Implementation Matrix to track and review projects. Chair Dixon remarked that the City Budget was approved in June and allocated funds for streetscape and sidewalk improvements. Public Works might provide an update on the streetscape projects. The parking waiver is included in the package of amendments to be submitted to the Coastal Commission. Deputy Director Wisneski introduced Assistant City Engineer Mike Sinacori, who will be overseeing streetscape improvements. The Coastal Commission requested staff delay submitting the package of amendments while it worked on the amendments with staff. The City cannot implement the parking waiver until the amendment is approved. III. ITEMS FOR REVIEW 1. MINUTES OF APRIL 19, 2017 Recommended Action: Approve April 19, 2017 Minutes MOTION: A motion was made by Committee Member Stratton, seconded by Committee Member Wheeler, to approve the minutes of the April 19, 2017 meeting as presented. Balboa Village Advisory Committee September 20, 2017 Draft Minutes Page 2 The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: Dixon, Ford, Dove, Wheeler, Stratton NOES: None ABSENT: Avery, Oakes ABSTAIN: None 2. PENINSULA TROLLEY UPDATE & RECOMMENDATIONS Recommended Action: Forward Recommendations Deputy Director Wisneski reported Public Works will recommend the Council approve the trolley program for 2018 at an October Council meeting. The Committee can recommend changes to the program. On July 4th, 2,000 people rode the trolley. Staff projected 437 riders per day, but the actual counts were double. Peak ridership occurred between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. The Committee should consider starting service at 9:30 a.m. rather than 7:30 a.m.. Between 7:30 and 9:30, ridership varied from 5 riders to 20 riders. More than 23,000 riders equate to 20 riders per vehicle hour. Operational expenses over the summer totaled $126,000, but 88 percent of expenses were paid by OCTA. The resulting cost was approximately $5 per rider. OCTA views the pilot program as successful. Staff recommends the same schedule for 2018 with service beginning at 9 a.m. or 10 a.m. The Committee discussed adding Friday service and learned that AQMD funds could pay for the additional costs. As to start time, the Committee agreed to begin service at 8 a.m. in 2018 to determine if ridership would improve. A route through Lido Village would be a good addition. The Hoag parking lot is a good location for parking and is available in 2018. The sign at the parking lot needs to be larger. Signs and maps at trolley stops need to include destinations. Riders leaving the bus did not have directions to destinations. Perhaps drivers could be trained to handle this or maps with destinations could be p laced inside trolleys. Committee Members decided against an open-air trolley. Riders wanted the air conditioning, and air-conditioned trolleys could be used in marketing. The Committee also discuss ed extending operations to 10 p.m. Mr. Sinacori indicated that option will be presented to the Council, and the Council will decide. The trolley operator did not recommend changing to 9:30 a.m. An open-air trolley would be expensive, and the City would have to buy them. Operating on Fridays will add 25 percent, or $30,000-$40,000, to operational costs. Committee Member Wheeler indicated OceanQuest will pay for signage. Staff explained that signs will need to be installed rather than new signs made. Committee Member Wheeler reiterated that OceanQuest will fund installation of signage. Kelly Carlson supported implementing service on Fridays and suggested the season begin Memorial Day weekend rather than mid-June. Committee Member Wheeler concurred, saying OceanQuest is seeing summer activities start before the end of the school year. MOTION: A motion was made by Committee Member Ford, seconded by Committee Member Stratton, to begin the trolley season with Memorial Day weekend and to extend service to Fridays during the season. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: Dixon, Ford, Dove, Wheeler, Stratton NOES: None ABSENT: Avery, Oakes ABSTAIN: None After some discussion, the Committee concluded trolley service for the Boat Parade should be a project for Visit Newport Beach or the Chamber of Commerce. Balboa Village Advisory Committee September 20, 2017 Draft Minutes Page 3 3. PENINSULA CROSSWALK STUDY Recommended Action: Review and Confirm Concepts City Traffic Engineer Tony Brine presented the crosswalk study of 38 intersections along the Peninsula. These intersections do not have signals or stop controls, except for Balboa at 38th. The study counted bicyclists and pedestrians, observed actions at crosswalks, and reviewed five years of collision history. The number of accidents was very low at 119. Only 26 accidents at all intersections over five years involved bicyclists or pedestrians. The study did not count "close calls." Staff concluded that the intersections are operating safely and efficiently. The general recommendation is to add high visibility crosswalks and pedestrian crossing signage at all intersections. Recommended physical improvements for southbound Newport at 26th and 28th Streets are crosswalks, bulb-outs, signage, and streetlights. Balboa Boulevard and 28th Street will be the only location with a rectangular rapid flashing beacon. Near schools, flashing beacons will be replaced with new models. The City has installed flashing stop signs and is considering a bulb-out at Balboa Boulevard and 38th Street. Prior to the Council meeting on October 10, Mr. Brine will be presenting the study and recommendations to various groups . Funds are available for the first phase of signing and striping. In response to questions, Mr. Brine indicated the flashing signs will flash only during school hours, except the stop sign which flashes 24/7. Pedestrians concerned about crossing Balboa Boulevard at 20th Street should walk another block and cross at the signal. Committee Member Stratton reported the "no right turn" at 21st Street made a huge improvement for traffic flow. IV. PUBLIC COMMENT Howard Hall advised that muffler noise from cars and motorcycles is out of control. V. ADJOURNMENT The meeting ended at 5:19 p.m. Next meeting Date: October 18, 2017, at 4 p.m. in the Bay Island Room at Marina Park