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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/28/2006 - Study SessionCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH City Council Minutes Study Session March 28, 2006 — 5:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Council Member Curry, Council Member Selich, Mayor Webb, Council Member Ridgeway, Council Member Daigle Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Rosansky, Council Member Nichols (Mayor Pro Tem Rosansky and Council Member Nichols both arrived later in the meeting) 1. CLARIFICATION OF ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR. In response to Council Member Curry's question regarding Item No. 4, Formation of the Media & Communications Committee, Assistant City Manager Kiff reported that the agreement with Cox Communications will be presented to the proposed committee in approximately two months and the agreement with Adelphia in four to six months. Both agreements will be presented to the City Council for final approval. In response to Council Member Curry's question regarding Item No. 8, Newport Coast Flow and Water Quality Assessment, Assistant City Manager Kiff explained the sources of the water runoff in the Newport Coast watershed. Council Member Nichols joined the meeting at 5:05 p.m. In response to Council Member Nichols' question regarding Item No. 8, Public Works Director Badum explained that the tests will occur in the Pelican Point area. Assistant City Manager Kiff stated that similar tests are also being conducted in Buck Gully, although not to the extent that is being proposed for Pelican Point. Mayor Webb noted a correction to Item No. 19, Mayor Appointments, which was to change the member being replaced on the Coastal/Bay Water Quality Citizens Advisory Committee from Council Member Selich to Council Member Rosansky. In response to Council Member Nichols' question regarding Item No. 18, Costa Mesa Westside General Plan Amendment (GPA), Assistant City Manager Wood explained why the matter wasn't reviewed by the Environmental Quality Affairs Committee (EQAC), and stated that the GPA doesn't include a change to the circulation element or the master plan of arterial highways. 2. MEASURE M PRESENTATION BY OCTA. [100 -20061 Council Member Curry thanked the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) for their responsiveness and their community outreach program, and stated that Measure M will provide additional resources and opportunities to address Volume 57 — Page 590 City of Newport Beach Study Session Minutes March 26, 2006 traffic mobility in Newport Beach. Art Leahy, Chief Executive Officer of OCTA, announced that the year prior, OCTA was named by the American Public Transportation Association as the finest big city transportation organization in North America. Using a PowerPoint presentation, he stated that Measure M was approved by the voters in November 1990, imposing a one -half cent local transportation sales tax for twenty years. He displayed a list of the projects that have been completed to date, and those that are underway, and stated that nearly $27 million has been spent in Newport Beach. Mr. Leahy displayed a map of California and pointed out those counties with a local transportation sales tax. In Southern California, all have renewed the tax, with the exception of Orange County, and he noted that a two - thirds majority voter approval is required to renew Measure M. He listed the reasons why it's important to renew Measure M now, instead of waiting until it expires in 2011. Mr. Leahy also briefly discussed what is required to renew the Measure. Mr. Leahy displayed a list of the key elements of the renewed Measure M draft plan. He highlighted what the draft plan includes for the various components, which included freeways, streets and roads, transit, environmental cleanup, and safeguards and audits. He stated that $65 million would be the estimated share that Newport Beach would receive. Lastly, Mr. Leahy displayed the next steps that need to occur for the Measure to go before the voters on November 7, 2006. He encouraged the City to provide any input to the OCTA Board of Directors. Council Member Curry confirmed with Mr. Leahy that the environmental cleanup component would include runoff mitigation. Additionally, Council Member Curry confirmed that neighborhood circulators would be eligible for Measure M funds. Lastly, Mr. Leahy explained how the transportation of seniors and the disabled would be addressed in the renewed plan. In response to Council Member Selich's question, Mr. Leahy stated that the $65 million would come to Newport Beach over a period from 2011 to 2041. In regard to the regional road funds, Council Member Selich asked how much Newport Beach would receive in comparison to how much it generates in revenue. Monte Ward, Director of Special Projects, OCTA, stated that it's a difficult comparison to make, and added that the program is competitive and geared towards the highest congestion projects. Council Member Selich confirmed with Mr. Leahy that a water quality project that doesn't necessarily have a roadway point source of pollution could possibly be eligible for Measure M funds. Mr. Ward added that the environmental cleanup component of the plan is in addition to the money that is set aside in the freeway component for project water quality mitigation. Council Member Ridgeway acknowledged that there are regional systems that need to be improved and that Newport Beach wants to be a part of the solution, but noted that Newport Beach will generate more in revenue towards Measure M than it will receive. Additionally, he expressed his support for the money designated to water quality going to the cities that contribute to the San Diego Creek. Mayor Pro Tern Rosansky joined the meeting at 5:43 p.m. In response to Council Member Nichols' question, Mr. Ward clarified how the Measure M funds are allocated, and how the allocation differs in the current Volume 57 - Page 591 City of Newport Beach Study Session Minutes March 28, 2006 Measure M plan and the proposed Measure M plan. Council Member Daigle noted that visitors to Newport Beach from outside the area also contribute to Newport Beach's sales tax revenue. In response to her question, Mr. Leahy stated that OCTA is assuming a 24% population growth in Orange County from 2000 to 2030. Lastly, Mr. Leahy provided detailed information on the benefits to the senior and disabled community. Additional information can be obtained by accessing the OCTA's website at www.00TA.net, or by calling Mr. Leahy at (714) 560 -5584. Council Member Curry asked if OCTA would take the necessary steps to complete projects ahead of the current schedule if Measure M is renewed in November 2006. Mr. Leahy responded in the affirmative. Council Member Ridgeway expressed his support for moving the projects forward as quickly as possible. Dolores Otting confirmed that it will cost $4 million per year to administer the program. In regard to seniors and the disabled, she suggested that nursing homes and assisted living facilities be able to apply for an OCTA card, rather than individuals being required to obtain one. Council Member Curry confirmed that Ms. Otting is in support of the renewal of Measure M. PUBLIC COMMENTS Dolores Otting complimented Mayor Webb on the job that he's doing, and encouraged the other council members to also be professional during City Council meetings. ADJOURNMENT at 6:00 p.m. The agenda for the Study Session was posted on March 22, 2006, at 2:15 p.m. on the City Hall Bulletin Board located outside of the City of Newport Beach Administration Building. City Clerk Recording Secretary Mayor Volume 57 - Page 592