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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/25/2006 - Study SessionCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH City Council Minutes Study Session July 25, 2006 — 4:00 p.m, ROLL CALL Present: Council Member Curry, Council Member Selich, Mayor Webb, Council Member Ridgeway, Council Member Daigle, Council Member Nichols Excused: Mayor Pro Tern Rosansky CURRENT BUSINESS 1. CLARIFICATION OF ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR. Council Member Nichols asked for an explanation of Item No. 7, Rescission of Resolution 99 -4, a prior acceptance of the dedication of Bayview Landing Parcels A & B. City Manager Bludau reported that the action taken by the City Council in 1999 needs to be rescinded because since that time, the park property has been transferred from The Irvine Company to the City. Council Member Daigle expressed her support for the action being recommended in Item No. S24, a resolution making findings relating to the conveyance of public property from the County to the City for the Mesa -Birch Park. 2. IRWD UPDATE. (100 -2006] Using a PowerPoint Presentation, Peer Swan, President of the Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD), listed the core services of IRWD, which included water, wastewater, urban runoff treatment and recycled water. He displayed a map of IRWD's service area and noted that IRWD services Newport Coast and Santa Ana Heights. The total population served by IRWD is 324,500. Mr. Swan listed the projects that IRWD is working on that are in, or affect, Newport Beach. These included the Buck Gully runoff reduction project, installing synthetic turf demonstration sites, the Newport Coast Drive force main project, work at the San Joaquin Reservoir and the natural treatment system at the San Joaquin Marsh. He displayed additional information on each of the projects and responded to questions by the Council Members. He also introduced Paul Cook and Marilyn Smith, both with IRWD. In response to Council Member Nichols' questions, Assistant City Manager Kiff and Mr. Swan explained that the Buck Gully project is a coordinated program by IRWD and the City. Although the City owns the area, one side of Buck Gully is serviced by IRWD and the other side by the City, and both are trying to control the source of water going into it. Several Council Members complimented the efforts of IRWD. Mr. Swan invited the Council Members to contact IRWD and receive a guided tour of the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary and the district. Volume 57 — Page 744 City of Newport Beach Study Session Minutes July 25, 2006 3. NEWPORT COAST PARKS (contd. from 7 /11/06). [100 -2006] Using a PowerPoint presentation, Assistant City Manager Kiff displayed a concept plan for Coastal Peak Park, a new park to be developed at the corner of Ridge Park Road and East Coastal Peak Road. He stated that it's being paid for with assessment district funds, is not a part of the Newport Coast annexation agreement and would become a public park upon completion. Recreation Services Director Knight reported that there will be eight acres of usable recreation space and she highlighted some of the other aspects of the park, as illustrated in the concept plan. She also described where parking would be provided. Assistant City Manager Kiff provided an update of the Crystal Cove Historic District, and stated that more information can be obtained by accessing www.crystalcovealliance.org. Reservations can be made by accessing www.reserveamerica.com. He also displayed an aerial photo of the Pacific Ridge Trailhead area and announced that the trail is now open seven days a week. Assistant City Manager Kiff also reported that the City is working on an operating agreement with the Newport Ridge Community Association for use of the ball fields at Newport Ridge Park, and that the matter is expected to be agendized for the August 8, 2006, City Council meeting. Assistant City Manager Kiff displayed an aerial photo of the Buck Gully area and stated that the City is hearing from resources groups that there are several problems in Buck Gully that need to be addressed. He reported that the City has asked the Irvine Ranch Land Reserve Trust (IRLRT) to develop a resource and recreation management plan for the City. Assistant City Manager Kiff stated that most of the Newport Coast parklands are in the Natural Communities Conservation Plan (NCCP), which is a multiple species, multiple habitat reserve system authorized by the legislature, and totals approximately 37,000 acres. The NCCP is overseen by the Nature Reserve of Orange County (NROC), a non- profit corporation. He noted that the City has been asked to become a member of NROC. He additionally explained that the City is currently a non - voting member of the Coastal Greenbelt Authority, which manages the individually -owned lands in the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, such as Buck Gully. He stated that the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park is a subset of NROC, and that the goal is to manage all of the lands consistently. He reported that the City has also been asked to become a voting member of the Coastal Greenbelt Authority. Assistant City Manager Kiff stated that to become a voting member of NROC and the Coastal Greenbelt Authority, the City needs to file a U.S. Fish & Wildlife "Incidental Take" permit. He explained some of the benefits of becoming a member of NROC and the Coastal Greenbelt Authority, and provided some additional clarifications in response to questions by the Council Members. 4. CABLE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT - COX COMMUNICATIONS. [421100 -2006] Using a PowerPoint presentation, Assistant City Manager Kiff stated that the adoption of the franchise agreement with Cox Communications is on the evening agenda, Item No. 16, and that it is the culmination of approximately seven years of work. He reported that the City's negotiations with Time Warner were just completed, and he displayed the action that was taken by the City Council at the meeting on June 27, 2006. This included Volume 57 - Page 745 City of Newport Beach Study Session Minutes July 25, 2006 the approval of a consent to transfer agreement, a settlement and mutual release agreement, and a memorandum of understanding. Assistant City Manager Kiff displayed and highlighted the key elements of the proposed franchise agreement with Cox Communications. Additionally, he displayed a map of the City illustrating where the franchise areas for Cox Communications and Time Warner are located. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None ADJOURNMENT at 5:10 p.m. The agenda for the Study Session was posted on July 19, 2006, at 3:35 p.m. on the City Hall Bulletin Board located outside of the City of Newport Beach Administration Building. Is 01 i FY A City Clerk Recording Secretary r/1 Mayor Volume 57 - Page 746