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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/09/2008 - Study SessionCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH City Council Minutes City Council Study Session September 9.2008 — 3:30 p.m. I. ROLL-CALL Present: Council Member Henn, Mayor Selich, Council Member Webb, Council Member Curry, Council Member Gardner Excused: Council Member Rosansky, Mayor Pro Tern Daigle II. CURRENT BUSINESS 1. CLARIFICATION OF ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR - None. City Manager Bludau introduced the new Recreation and Senior Services Director, Laura Detweiler. Recreation and Senior Services Director Detweiler reviewed her background, noting that she began her career at Newport Beach. She complimented her staff and noted the upcoming projects her department will be working on. 2. TSUNAMI WARNING SIREN SYSTEM OPTIONS. Fire Chief Lewis utilized a PowerPoint presentation to discuss the purpose of the notification system, the vendor selection process, and the differences between a mechanical siren and a tone /voice system. He displayed maps of where the different systems would be placed and reported that eight tone /voice systems would probably be needed versus four mechanical sirens. He reviewed the costs for the two systems, discussed pros and cons for each system, and indicated that cell companies may want to use the poles as cell towers which would reduce the cost to the City. He reviewed future steps, testing, and the decibels required to be beard. In response to Council questions, Fire Chief Lewis reported that the poles are about 40 -45 feet tall. He emphasized the need for education and that both systems would require the public to turn the radio on to receive emergency instructions. He indicated that the voice system was clear for about a quarter mile, but expressed concern for longer distances. He reported that the lifeguards, Eagle, and AlertOC will need to be used to provide emergency instructions and information to beachgoers. He discussed the sounds and tones, confirmed that the tone system automatically comes with voice, and discussed maintenance issues. Council Member Curry emphasized the need to educate the public on evacuation procedures. He recommended using the City vehicles that already have loud speakers to assist with providing information during an emergency. Council Member Webb noted that the chance of a tsunami occurring is low on the list of potential emergencies; however, he would be in favor of the mechanical system if a system were needed. He questioned the need for a system at the Dunes and recommended that the City hire an engineer to conduct a study to see if a wave would reach the Bay. This may reduce the cost since not as many systems would be needed. He requested to see the final costs since signage was not included in the estimate. Fire Chief Lewis expressed concern about water surges, not waves reaching the Bay, and noted that a system can be Volume 58 - Page 566 City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session September 9, 2008 added later if needed. City Manager Bludau pointed out that a wave projection study could delay the project at least two months. Mayor Pro Tern Daigle joined the meeting at 4:07 p.m. Council Member Rosansky joined the meeting at 4:08 p.m. Council Member Henn indicated that the mechanical system is sufficient and suggested conducting monthly tests of the notification system. 3. JOINT MEETING WITH THE HARBOR COMMISSION. In addition to Council, Harbor Chair Duffield, Harbor Vice Chair Rhyne, Harbor Commissioner Collins, Harbor Commissioner Lawrenz, and Harbor Commissioner Rodheim were in attendance. Harbor Commissioners Corrough and Beek were not present. Assistant City Manager Kiff utilized a PowerPoint presentation to provide a background on the Harbor Commission and its duties. In response to Council questions, City Attorney Clauson and Assistant City Manager Kiff reported that Title 17 of the Newport Beach Municipal Code assigns Harbor Commission authority, City Manager and Harbor Manager decisions can be appealed, and Harbor Commission decisions can be appealed to Council. Harbor Commissioners expressed their frustration relative to the process and noted that there is a gap between Harbor Commission priorities and limited staff resources. They emphasized the importance and uniqueness of the Harbor. Discussion ensued relative to creating a better procedure for the Harbor Commission to review Planning Department projects involving the Harbor and making the Harbor more user - friendly. Harbor Resources Manager Miller indicated that they are working on better procedures. Assistant City Manager Wood added that the General Plan directs that all waterfront projects be sent to the Harbor Commission. Mayor Selich suggested that the Commission come to Council with priority items so Council can assist with staffing. Council Member Henn suggested that the Commission provide Council with quarterly advisory memos that discuss Commission priorities and provide recommendations. Assistant City Manager Kiff utilized a PowerPoint presentation to discuss shoaling and toxicity areas in Lower Newport Bay. He discussed dredging issues and disposal options. He reviewed four dredging options and emphasized the post - testing priorities. Commissioner Collins explained the definition of design -depth based on mean -low or low water. He noted that about 60% of the Lower Bay does not meet the design -depth standard. In response to Council and Commission questions, Harbor Resources Manager Miller estimated that between 1 million and 2.5 million cubic yards would need to be dredged. Commissioner Collins noted that it would take 25 years to dredge 2.5 million cubic yards. Assistant City Manager Kiff reported that Rhine Channel is not included in the discussion areas. He noted that some areas can be dredged since there are no disposal issues; however, there is an issue with amphipods existing in some of the clean areas. He explained why staff favors Option 4 and reported that test data is valid for about three to five years; however, if the City can demonstrate there is no significant accumulation of new sediment, the test data can be valid longer. Commissioner Rodheim noted that there Volume 58 - Page 567 City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session September 9, 2008 is a company who is willing to pay the City to share its samples and assist with neutralizing the contaminated areas so it can be disposed of at LA -3. Harbor Consultant Rossmiller explained that sediment is different in the Upper Bay than in the Lower Bay because contaminants are absorbed more into the super fine grain material in the Lower Bay. He reported that parts of the Lower Bay have not been dredged since the Harbor was built. He provided an estimated timeline when testing will be completed in the different toxicity areas and emphasized that it is difficult for the City to get a permit to dredge due to contamination levels. Council Member Gardner noted that Congressman Campbell indicated that, if the City can show that dredging and taking over the Harbor would save the Federal government money, he could support that proposal. Mark Sites noted the issues Linda Isle is having with eelgrass and that the Bay will start to have the same problems as it becomes shallower. Paul Peccianti, Genesis Fluid Solutions, believed that his company can dredge the Lower Bay in half the time and for half the cost. George Drayton, Coastal/Bay Water Quality Committee, received clarification about the eelgrass issue and a potential solution. III. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None. IV. ADJOURNMENT - 5:30 p.m. The agenda for the Regular Meeting was posted on September 3, 2008, at 2:15 p.m. on the City Hall Bulletin Board located outside of the City of Newport Beach Administration Building. �. City Clerk Mayor Volume 58 - Page 568