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Home My WebLink About11/21/1994 - Adjourned Regular MeetingCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH COUNCIL MEMBERS MINUTES ADJOURNED COUNCIL MEETING 9,G 9�� Gay 9�� o� 9 PLACE: Council Chambers c"s F� TIME: 3:00 P.M. ROLL CRLL DATE: November 21, 1994 _ INDEX -- Present x x x x x x x ROLL CALL Invocation was given by Mayor Clarence J. Turner. Mayor Turner presented photographs taken at a recent luncheon for former Mayors • of Newport Beach to Don Strauss, Evelyn Hart, Doreen Marshall, Jackie Heather, Phil Sansone, and Ruthelyn Plummer. Photographs were also given to Robert L. Wynn, former City Manager and Kevin Murphy, City Manager. The City was also presented with a large group photograph for display in City Hall. Former Mayors who could not be in attendance were James Stoddard, Phil Maurer, Ed Mirth and Milan Dostal, in addition to Robert Shelton, former City Manager and Council Member. REMARKS BY OUTGOING COUNCIL MEMBERS Council Member Sansone stated that being on the City Council these past eight years has been a very rewarding experience; he urged the new City Council to not raise fees; he discussed the importance of City representation and participation on County Committees; he recommended that the City give stronger support to the Friends of the Oasis; and he discussed how pleased he was with the low -cost senior housing facility to be constructed in lower Bayview Landing sometime in the future. • Council Member Hart thanked her family and many friends who supported her during the past 16 years on the City Council, as well as City staff and volunteers on the various Boards, Commissions and Committees; she discussed the many things that make the City unique such as business opportunities, retail shopping, yacht clubs, restaurants, churches, schools, Hoag Hospital, Chamber of Commerce, residential character, recreational activities, and natural beauty; she stated she was very comfortable in turning the City over to the new City Council, and expressed appreciation for being given the opportunity to serve the City as Mayor and Council Member. Mayor Turner stated it is always difficult to sum up one's thoughts on an occasion such as this, but thanked everyone who worked in the first place to get him elected and all those who stood by him during the past eight years; he also acknowledged the support he received from his colleagues on the City Council, as well as the assistance, understanding and willingness from City • staff; he summarized some of the major issues he participated in during his tenure, i.e., Central Public Library, new Water System, improvements to Sewer System, infrastructure improvements, undergrounding utilities, establishment of Economic Development Committee and revitalization of business districts, Volume 48 - Page 434 CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH COUNCIL MEMBERS MINUTES �� s9y �9 �P\ ROLL CRLL Fs November 21, 1994 INDEX • expansion of Fashion Island, passage of Measure A /E1 Toro Airport; he stated he is positive about the future, and felt the City will continue to rebound and prosper under the new City Council; in closing, he thanked everyone for their support and friendship. PRESENTATIONS TO OUTGOING COUNCIL MEMBERS Mayor Pro Tem Watt presented plaques and gifts to outgoing Council Members Phil Sansone, Evelyn Hart and Clarence Turner; commended them for their "great and laborious" service to the City, and highlighted some of their accomplishments while on the Council. Robert L. Wynn, former City Manager and representing Friends of Clarence J. Turner Committee, congratulated the outgoing Council Members, noting that Evelyn Hart will be the longest serving member on the Council in the history of Newport Beach with her sixteen years, and that Phil Sansone is the only Council Member in District No. 6 to serve two terms so far. He highlighted some of Mayor Turner's accomplishments, and presented him with an album containing approximately 90 letters written to Clarence by his close friends and staff in the past few months recalling his City experiences, frustrations and joys. • Jackie Heather, former Mayor and Council Member, congratulated Evelyn Hart on the recent Duane Winters award she received from the League of California Cities which recognizes exemplary service over several years, as well as innovation, leadership and active participation in County -wide affairs. She welcomed Evelyn to the "retired City God - mothers," and presented Evelyn with a personalized replica of the Newport Beach City flag to display on the Hart's boat. Debbie Allen, Chairman, Corona del Mar Residents Association, presented Phil Sansone with a desk size photograph of the personalized bench their Association gave him which is located on Ocean Boulevard at Larkspur. Luvena Hayton, representing the Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce, presented a plaque to Phil Sansone for his dedicated service to District No. 6, and stated they are grateful for what he has done for Corona del Mar. She also gave Evelyn Hart a plaque for her many years of participating in the activities in • Corona del Mar. Murry Cable, former Airport Manager, and representing Supervisor Tom Riley's office, presented Phil Sansone with a personal letter from Supervisor Riley and a plaque from the County Waste Management Commission for his service. Volume 48 - Page 435 COUNCIL MEMBERS S Ln P Kotion 111 Ayes 911 Ayes • All Ayes U] A 3 w • H 3 X CITY OF NE"ORT BEACH J H w Z A November 21, 1994 A representative from Senator Marian Bergeson's office advised that formal resolutions will be forthcoming from the State and County in recognition of Evelyn Hart's years of service with the City. NEW BUSINESS The City Clerk administered the Oath of Office to the newly elected /re- elected Council Members and presented each with a Certificate of Election. The newly elected /re- elected Council Members took their seats at the Council table. Motion was made by Mayor Pro Tam Watt to adopt Resolution No. 94 -104 declaring results of the GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION held Tuesday, November 8, 1994. ELECTION OF MAYOR AND MAYOR PRO TEN Council Member O'Neil nominated Council Member Hedges for the Office of Mayor. Hearing no other nominations, a roll call vote was taken, and Council Member Hedges was declared the new Mayor. The Mayor took his proper place at the Council table. Council Member Cox nominated Council Member Debay for the Office of Mayor Pro Tem. Hearing no other nominations, a roll call vote was taken, and Council Member Debay was declared the new Mayor Pro Tem. The City Council took their new seating arrangement at the Council table with senior members having first preference. NEW MAYOR'S COMMENTS Mayor Hedges stated that it has been an honor and pleasure to serve with Phil Sansone, Evelyn Hart and "Bus" Turner for the past four years, and he is looking forward to serving with Dennis O'Neil, Tom Edwards and Norma Glover as well as Jean Watt, John Cox and Jan Debay over the next four years. The Mayor read into the record the following prepared statement: "I am grateful to the voters of Newport Beach for their ratification of my first term by returning me to the City Council. I also thank my colleagues for their confidence in elevating me to be their spokesman. I pledge to continue to earn your confidence. But most of all, I am humbled and carry the burden Volume 48 - Page 436 MINUTES 39) INDEX 94 -104 t ion' 9, n ¢ W CQ M2I x q U 0 CITY OF NE"ORT BEACH J H w Z A November 21, 1994 A representative from Senator Marian Bergeson's office advised that formal resolutions will be forthcoming from the State and County in recognition of Evelyn Hart's years of service with the City. NEW BUSINESS The City Clerk administered the Oath of Office to the newly elected /re- elected Council Members and presented each with a Certificate of Election. The newly elected /re- elected Council Members took their seats at the Council table. Motion was made by Mayor Pro Tam Watt to adopt Resolution No. 94 -104 declaring results of the GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION held Tuesday, November 8, 1994. ELECTION OF MAYOR AND MAYOR PRO TEN Council Member O'Neil nominated Council Member Hedges for the Office of Mayor. Hearing no other nominations, a roll call vote was taken, and Council Member Hedges was declared the new Mayor. The Mayor took his proper place at the Council table. Council Member Cox nominated Council Member Debay for the Office of Mayor Pro Tem. Hearing no other nominations, a roll call vote was taken, and Council Member Debay was declared the new Mayor Pro Tem. The City Council took their new seating arrangement at the Council table with senior members having first preference. NEW MAYOR'S COMMENTS Mayor Hedges stated that it has been an honor and pleasure to serve with Phil Sansone, Evelyn Hart and "Bus" Turner for the past four years, and he is looking forward to serving with Dennis O'Neil, Tom Edwards and Norma Glover as well as Jean Watt, John Cox and Jan Debay over the next four years. The Mayor read into the record the following prepared statement: "I am grateful to the voters of Newport Beach for their ratification of my first term by returning me to the City Council. I also thank my colleagues for their confidence in elevating me to be their spokesman. I pledge to continue to earn your confidence. But most of all, I am humbled and carry the burden Volume 48 - Page 436 MINUTES 39) INDEX 94 -104 t ion' 9, CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH ROLL CALL November 21, 1994 MINUTES INDEX of those who have assigned me the greater responsibility to live up to their expectations. It is those people who feel as I do that one can stand up in the public arena for what he believes and who knows that it is possible to retain your integrity in the face of adversity. "Two years ago with Measure P, the voters of this City approved term limits over - whelmingly. At the time and even now, there are those who question the efficacy of term limits. I submit to you that the results from this election speak loudly of both the quality of candidates who tender themselves and their families for public service and the ability of the electorate to choose those who will best represent them. There is a great depth and breadth of the fine quality of candidates for the many available positions. We are blessed with people who are educated, successful, and committed to the betterment and prosperity of this City of Newport Beach. These people sacrifice their private lives not only in the elected positions, but also in the many • appointed and volunteer positions. We owe them all a great debt of gratitude. "The results of this election should leave no doubt that the changes in City government are permanent and ongoing. I believe that history will show the past four years to be a period of transition. This election made clear the desire of the people that government involvement in their lives be the minimum necessary to provide for basic public services. Some may say the people demand that their government do more with less, but I believe that they merely want the government to do less and to leave them alone. "In 1957 Ayn Rand wrote the book Atlas Shrugged. I would like to quote a passage from that book which well illustrates the electorates' view of government at all levels. In the passage Dr. Ferris, a government official, is speaking to Mr. Rearden, an industrialist. 'Did you really think that we want those laws to be observed?' said Dr. Ferris. 'We want • them broken. There is no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. When there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. Who wants Volume 48 - Page 437 CITY Off' NEWPORT BEACH ROLL 9�9��9dc O� G CALL °s November 21, 1994 MINUTES INDEX a nation of law- abiding citizens. • What's there in that for anyone? But just pass the kind of laws that can neither be observed nor enforced nor objectively interpreted - and you create a nation of lawbreakers - and then you cash in on the guilt. Now that's the system, Mr. Rearden, that's the game, and once you understand it, you'll be much easier to deal with.' "We at the local level of government are not immune from the type of bureaucratic law- making which so enrages the freedom - loving citizen. We at the local level of government make decisions which arguably affect more the day -to -day lives of our citizens than those of any other level of government. It is a heavy responsibility which demands sober undertaking. As the policy makers of City government we must demand specific justification for the enactment of additional laws. Are those laws understandable? Are those laws enforceable? Can they be objectively interpreted? Do those laws have the desired effect? Do the • laws have unintended consequences? Or do they merely restrict the freedoms of our own citizens without addressing the problems for which they are designed? "The results of this election and that of the term limit initiative leave no double that the people of this City demand that their City Council stand up and be counted as the policy making body of city government. That responsibility cannot be transferred and that authority must not be abdicated. "I will propose changes to this new City Council which will buttress the Council's policy - making role. It will be clear to the staff the direction of the Council. It will be clear to the electorate the direction of the Council. And it will be clear to the Council ourselves. "It is also clear that our Council - Manager form of government was not nor is not intended to require full -time presence on the part of our citizen City Council. Responsibility for the day -to -day administration of City • operations rests with the City Manager. We now have on the City Council more members who are currently employed than at any time in recent years. In other cities there have been too many people who have lost their livelihoods because of local political participation. What I am saying does Volume 48 - Page 438 CITY OF NEWPORT ROLL 9�9�c99d� O� Z CALL November 21, 1994 BEACH MINUTES INDEX not mean that the Council should be • any less involved or less committed. I am saying that Council membership should not be an all- consuming way of life. After all, the people of this City want leaders, not baby- sitters. "The future holds many challenges, both near -term and long -term. Economic Development is here to stay. Streamlining government is here to stay. Fiscal conservatism is here to stay. We must demand that the government live within its means rather than feed at the public trough of tax and fee increases to satisfy its ever more bloated appetite for growth. We must review laws already on the books for possible repeal or modification. The staff must be empowered to make recommendations to the City Council to change those laws which have outlived their usefulness or which conflict with the goals of the City Council. "This does not mean that we undermine the foundation of community values which built this City. It does mean that we make it easier and simpler for • people to carry out their daily lives. We must never lose sight of the fact that the power of our republican form of government derives from the consent of the governed. Government is here to serve the people, not rule them. "Finally, I leave you with a quote by Thomas Jefferson taken from his first Inaugural Address. 'Still one more thing, fellow citizens a wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, which shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government, and this is necessary to close the circle of our felicities.'" NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS COMMENTS Council Member Edwards thanked all those who supported him during the election; for the hopes, prayers, and communications he received, and gave "special thanks to his wife, Lisa, who stood by him through this entire • ordeal." He stated however, it is time to move on in getting this City going, continuing in the direction it is in, and taking it to the next step; this City is no longer a sleepy little beach community, but instead a resort town with many business opportunities, and it is his desire to maintain its Volume 48 - Page 439 CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH � ��` y� n �0 2 ROLL 9� 9� �9 Oc o� CALL ds �s `� '�\ November 21, 1994 MINUTES INDEX quality and uniqueness; we are not up • here with a set of promises, but rather a set of challenges; we have to deal with the economy which has already begun; we must deal with public safety and everything that it entails; and for his part, to move forward with implementation of Measure A; there are limitations on the ability of government to solve all the problems, and we need public involvement to help the City Council to deal effectively with the issues and get the job done; we are going to have major disagreements on the Council, but that is the process, however, don't mistake disagreement, discussions, and debate for diversion, for this is a Council that will always have the best interest of the City at heart. Council Member Glover stated that even though her husband, Dell, could not be in attendance, she would like to express appreciation to him for all the work he did in supporting her as a Council Candidate and getting her elected. She introduced her oldest son, Garnet, and thanked him for all the assistance he gave her during the election campaign. She also expressed gratitude to her youngest son, Stuart, who designed her graphics and publications. In addition, appreciation was extended to Stan Cohen, who wrote her campaign material, and Clarence Turner, Evelyn Hart, Phil Sansone, Jackie Heather, and Ruthelyn Plummer for their support. She stated she is very humbled on this day by the trust of 17,118 people who voted for her and it will probably be the closest she will ever be to the people of Newport Beach, however, she hopes that relationship will always remain close as she has the utmost respect for the residents of Newport Beach. Council Member O'Neil stated he was honored and proud to have been elected to the City Council inasmuch as this is something he has looked forward to for many, many years; 22 ago he was the City Attorney for this City, and at that time, he felt he could do better as a Council Member rather than City Attorney. He stated the campaign was a much more difficult effort than • he ever imagined, but felt it was worthwhile, and would like to thank all those who supported him; he felt the neighborhood forums were a good opportunity to meet with the various segments of the community; he indicated that what the City faces today is entirely different than what Volume 48 - Page 440 CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH ROLL CALL °s • • MINUTES N....u...l.u� 9t 900A INDEX government was all about 20 years ago when he served on the staff as legal counsel which is a result largely of tough economic times and very difficult litigation matters; he acknowledged the Police Employees and Management Associations, Firefighters Association, Newport Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce, Daily Pilot, Hugh Hewitt, John Yeager, David Ellis, and the over 250 persons who contributed to his campaign and endorsed him as a Council candidate; most importantly, he thanked his wife, Thais, and all the help she gave him during the campaign; he looks forward to the next four years with great enthusiasm and energy; he is real excited about the future of Newport Beach, and dedicated to his position as Council Member. COMMENTS FROM FORMER MAYORS Jackie Heather stated the present City Council is a "dream Council" and they look so good it almost makes her want to "re -up." Donald Strauss congratulated the persons leaving the Council and stated if those that have been elected do as well as the former Council Members they will be doing a good job. Meeting adjourned at 4:35 p.m.. in honor and recognition of the outgoing Council Members who have served the City as follows: Clarence J. Turner Aviation Committee - 1979 -1984 Planning Commission - 1984 -1986 City Council - 1986 -1994 Evelyn Hart Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission - 1973 -1977 City Council - 1978 -1994 Phil Sansone City Council - 1986 -1994 wrr�w�r�rw��r�re•��r The agenda for this meeting was posted on November 18, 1994, at 12:20 p.m., on the City Hall Bulletin Board located outside of the City of Newport Beach Administration Building. ,\J Yi Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk t} Volume 4 - P C'iG /pOR��P INDEX