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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/12/2008 - Adjourned Regular MeetingCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH City Council Minutes Adjourned Regular Meeting January 12, 2008 - 8:30 a.nL I. RECONVENED AT 8:30 A.M. FOR ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING H. ROLL CALL Present: Council Member Henn, Council Member Rosansky, Mayor Pro Tem. Daigle, Mayor Selich, Council Member Curry, Council Member Gardner Excused: Council Member Webb Council Member Webb arrived at 8:40 a.m. III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Council Member Henn IV. CURRENT BUSINESS 1. DISCUSSION AND ESTABLISHMENT OF COUNCIL PRIORITIES [NO WRITTEN REPORT]. Mayor Selich explained how the priority list was developed by Council and provided a chart of the priorities and a handout of last year's/ongoing priorities. He emphasized that the focus is on achievable priorities or priorities that can have reachable milestones. He noted that priorities, like John Wayne Airport (JWA), are ongoing priorities and should be categorized as such. He noted that an outside facilitator is in attendance to assist with the meeting. Phil Batchelor, benchmarking consultant, provided his background, reported that he has been working with the Finance Committee on the benchmarking survey, and that the early feedback from the survey is positive. He suggested that Council 1) focus on what the City should accomplish by the end of 2008, 2) determine if the priorities are financially feasible, and 3) determine the best method for accountability. Without objection, City Manager Bludau recommended placing half the priorities on the agenda for a status report one month and the other half the next month. Discussion ensued relative to assigning a Council Member to each of the priorities and having the City Manager assign a staff member. It was emphasized that assigning the priorities does not exclude the remaining Council Members from participating and that Council will not be directing staff relative to the priority. City Ha1UFacilities Finance Plan Administrative Services Director Danner displayed and distributed the updated Facility Replacement Planning Chart. City Manager Bludau noted that the City Hall cost is based on building at the current site and includes a parking structure. Public Works Director Badum reviewed the potential costs for a new police station, fire stations, libraries, and park developments. Fire Chief Lewis indicated that there is not a critical need for a fire Volume 58 - Page 872 City of Newport Beach Adjourned Regular Meeting Minutes January 12, 2008 station at Banning Ranch since Costa Mesa currently responds to that area It was the consensus of Council to forward information to both the Finance Committee and Building Committee. City Manager Bludau indicated that the projects can be brought back during the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) process. Council Member Webb noted that the chart updates the Master Plan, which are General Fund projects, and explained that CIP funding comes from different funding sources. Mr. Batchelor noted that Council will need to receive recommendations from staff and that the projects listed can be funded without jeopardizing the City's rating, debt ratio, etc. Council noted that the February 5 election will assist with the direction of the new City Hall. In addition to the site above the Central Library, other potential sites include the existing City Hall site, the OCTA site, and The Irvine Company site. It was recommended that an architecture committee be created for the City Hall project. City Manager Bludau noted that the study conducted three years ago needs to be updated. Residential Group- Homes Assistant City Manager Kiff provided an overview of Council actions taken at Tuesday night's Council meeting. He noted that staff will be bringing a policy to Council relative to the hearing officer qualifications and an estimate of the time and costs involved in the process. Council noted that the costs will not include litigation costs and that the purpose of the ad hoc committee should be amended to include hearing officer selection. Discussion ensued relative to the letter from Sober Living By The Sea regarding the Good Neighbor Policy. Council requested that the City send out information about what the City is doing on this issue. Further, Council requested that the City keep a log of how the City is handling all code violations and that a report come back to Council on whether code enforcement efforts need to be increased. It was the consensus of Council that the City needs to involve other cities in creating State legislation or an initiative, and possibly develop a coalition of cities. Water Quality Assistant City Manager Kiff provided a handout relative to watershed challenges and programs, and discussed the State's ranking system for funding. City Manager Bludau noted the need to inform Council earlier of grant applications that may require matching funds. Discussion ensued relative to creating a fund dedicated for dredging. Mayor Selich recessed the meeting at 10:10 a.m. and reconvened the meeting at 10:20 a.m. with all members of Council in attendance. Benchmarkin Mr. Batchelor reported that 1,800 surveys were sent out and discussed future telephone surveys with the development and business communities. He stated that the report will be presented to the Finance Committee on February 1 and to Council on February 12. He reviewed how ICMA will utilize the benchmarking report and discussed the organization assessment. Discussion ensued relative to how much staff time may be involved and the need for organizational buy in. Mr. Batchelor indicated that many of Council Member Webb's Volume 58 - Page 373 City of Newport Beach Adjourned Regular Meeting Minutes January 12, 2008 questions from Tuesday's Council meeting will be answered after the report is presented to Council. Banning_Ranch Mayor Selich discussed the two options in the General Plan and the desire to have an appraisal conducted by the end of the year once Council decides parameters and assumptions. Council Member Gardner discussed conducting a feasibility study of the open space, and finding funding or having the property be both development and open space. She emphasized the need to get all interested parties together. Regarding timing, it was noted that Banning Ranch is in the General Plan and that the owner can make the property developmentlopen space if he found funding before the City did. Discussion ensued relative to finding funding sources, i.e. Proposition 84. Traffic Public Works Director Badum discussed the traffic signal synchronization program, the status of the program, and the expectations. He stated that the portions that should be implemented first are at Mariners Mile and the San Miguel/Avocado/McArthur area. Council asked how and when the 18 impacted intersections will be handled, and requested that these intersections be included in the Master Plan. It was noted that, with the Governor closing some beaches, the City will have more visitors and traffic problems. Energy Efficiency Council Member Gardner discussed conducting an energy audit of City, facilities and possibly creating guidelines, not mandates, relative to commercial and residential buildings. City Manager Bludau discussed current energy conservation efforts and the possibility of building an energy efficient City Hall. City Attorney Clauson noted that developers will soon be required to follow the green philosophy, but this may probably be better handled through a policy. It was the consensus of Council to not include this as a priority but continue the current efforts. Further Discussion Mr. Batchelor indicated that the City Manager will bring a report to Council on February 12 relative to today's priorities, but noted that the report will also include the five priorities from last year. Council emphasized that the priorities from last year are still priorities and are ongoing. Dolores Otting recommended including the five priorities from last year on the list, requested information about what will happen to the current site if City Hall is relocated, recommended placing a police substation on the Peninsula, expressed concern about the tier water rate system, and believed that trash service should not be contracted out. Melinda Seely suggested hiring someone to work on airport issues. Dennis Baker emphasized the economic value of having clean water and a clean Bay. He believed that an appraisal of Banning Ranch was discussed, not a feasibility study. He supported conducting an energy audit, suggested creating an incentive program, and Volume 58 - Page 374 City of Newport Beach Adjourned Regular Meeting Minutes January 12, 2008 supported providing builders with environmental guidelines. Jan Vandersloot suggested working with or hiring entities that already have knowledge about acquiring land like Banning Ranch. He expressed support for investigating whether Proposition 84 funds are available for Banning Ranch, the tier water rate system, and the groundwater replenishment system. He suggested that the City purchase Toyota Prins cars and discussed solar tanks. V. PUBLIC.COMMENTS Dolores Otting requested an update on how the City conserves water. VI. ADJOURNMENT -11:45 a.m The agenda for the Regular Meeting was posted on January 9, 2008, at 8:50 a.m. on the City Hall Bulletin Board located outside of the City of Newport Beach Administration Building. 0 6,6 � City Clerk Recorcj*g Secretary Volume 58 - Page 375