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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-10-18_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, October 18, 2017 – 4:00 p.m. I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER Chair Dixon called the meeting to order at 4:06 pm. The following persons were in attendance: Balboa Village Advisory Committee Members: Diane Dixon, Council Member (Chair) Brad Avery, Council Member (Absent) Gloria Oakes, Balboa Peninsula Point Association (Excused) Marcel Ford, Balboa Village Merchants Association Grace Dove, Central Newport Beach Community Association Mike Wheeler, OceanQuest Representative Jim Stratton, At-Large Representative Staff Members: Benjamin Zdeba, Associate Planner II. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS None III. ITEMS FOR REVIEW 1. MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 20, 2017 Recommended Action: Approve September 20, 2017 Minutes MOTION: A motion was made by Committee Member Wheeler seconded by Committee Member Dove, to approve the minutes of the September 20, 2017 meeting as presented. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: Dixon, Ford, Stratton, Dove, Wheeler NOES: None ABSENT: Avery, Oakes ABSTAIN: None 2. PROGRESS OF MASTER PLAN IMPLEMENTATION AND PRIORITIES Recommended Action: Confirm Priorities Associate Planner Zdeba shared a Balboa Village Implementation Matrix and Priorities. In the matrix, items in green have at a minimum been started. Many projects are ongoing. Staff requests comments regarding Priorities and confirmation of the list of Priorities. Committee Member Stratton was pleased the wayfinding and streetscape projects are fully funded. The Balboa Village Business Improvement District is now a Merchants Association. He requested staff provide a detailed update regarding Coastal Commission approval of the parking district. Balboa Village Advisory Committee October 18, 2017 Draft Minutes Page 2 Kelly Carlson reported people are parking in loading zones along Main Street because they know the no parking restriction is not enforced. Ms. Carlson supported installation of red curbs along Main Street and maintaining the 8-foot space outside restaurants for pedestrians. Chair Dixon requested staff consider red curbs and obtain merchants' opinions about installing red curbs. In response to questions, Associate Planner Zdeba agreed to follow up regarding the project to string lights across Main Street. Staff is working on some applications for the façade improvement program, but funds will be left in the program once the applications are approved and paid. Those funds may be used for other projects. He will provide a detailed report on the facade improvement program so that the Committee can determine the disposition of any remaining funds. The outdoor dining pilot program has had little success because of Public Works' requirement of an 8-foot sidewalk space for pedestrian traffic. Most sidewalks are not wide enough for tables and the pedestrian space. The employee parking permit program is part of the parking program awaiting Coastal Commission approval. MOTION: A motion was made by Committee Member Ford, seconded by Committee Member Wheeler, to confirm the list of Priorities. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: Dixon, Ford, Stratton, Dove, Wheeler NOES: None ABSENT: Avery, Oakes ABSTAIN: None 3. REVIEW OF STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS AND PROCESS Recommended Action: No Action Required Associate Planner Zdeba suggested an in-depth discussion of this item be continued to the November meeting when Assistant City Engineer Mike Sinacori can be present. Previous Committee recommendations include refreshing the landscape, replacing palm trees, painting and replacing pots, and installing ornamental bike racks and cement trash cans. Staff has not begun work on the streetscape design. In response to Committee Member Stratton's comment about the expense of repainting the dome covers on trash cans, Ms. Carlson reported someone from the City had repainted the trash can covers. The Committee discussed the proposed bike racks with logos and expressed concern that the logos will wear quickly and be hidden by bikes. Committee Member Stratton provided photos of alternative designs that were considerably less costly. W. R. Dildine noted a new concept of stacked bike racks. Ms. Carlson suggested replacing the bushes around the parking lot between Washington and Palm with bike racks. Associate Planner Zdeba reported the $1,800 cost includes installing the bike racks. The final streetscape design has not been determined and is open for discussion. The designs and prices provided by staff are meant to be placeholders. He will provide the Committee with photos of high-capacity bike racks. Locations for high-capacity racks have not been determined. Committee Members inquired about the types of trees and benches staff is considering and suggested adding ashtrays or some means for cigarette disposal other than trash cans. Chair Dixon advised that all elements of the streetscape plans will be presented to the Committee for review and recommendations. Perhaps funds from the facade program can be used to purchase benches. In reply to Chair Dixon's inquiry, Associate Planner Zdeba indicated he would follow up with Code Enforcement regarding restaurant trash bins. Balboa Village Advisory Committee October 18, 2017 Draft Minutes Page 3 Committee Member Stratton commented that the sidewalks look better after being steam cleaned. 4. UPDATE ON TROLLEY RECOMMENDATIONS Recommended Action: No Action Required Chair Dixon noted recommendations for the trolley program will be presented to the Council at the end of November. Associate Planner Zdeba reported staff is not recommending Friday service b ecause it will increase the cost of the program by approximately 25 percent. Staff is recommending adding Lido Marina Village to the route, changing the hours of operation to 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and expanding the season to Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. The trolley operator is preparing a cost estimate for the proposed changes. Staff did not consider operating the trolley the week of the boat parade because the Committee indicated the Chamber of Commerce should be responsible for that. IV. PUBLIC COMMENT Mr. Dildine remarked that the pharmacy sign should be installed soon, and the pharmacy is planning a celebration of its 90 years in business. Chair Dixon stated the City Council will prepare a proclamation for the pharmacy. V. ADJOURNMENT (Meeting End Time: 4:47 p.m.) The meeting ended at 4:47 p.m. Next meeting Date: November 15, 2017, at 4 p.m. in the Bay Island Room at Marina Park