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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/09/2009 - Study SessionCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH City Council Minutes City Council Study Session June 9, 2009 — 3:00 pmL I. ROLL, CALL Present: Council Member Henn, Mayor Pro Tem Curry, Mayor Selich, Council Member Gardner, Council Member Daigle Excused: Council Member Rosansky, Council Member Webb Council Member Webb arrived at 3:07 p.m. and Council Member Rosansky arrived at 3:17 P.m. II. CURRENT BUSINESS 1. CLARIFICATION OF ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR. In response to Council's question regarding the cost of geotechnical services (Item 10), Public Works Director Badum indicated that the hourly costs for these services have not decreased, unlike material costs, and discussed the comparison process Public Works uses to determine the cost for professional services. Council Member Gardner requested that the Utilities Director provide her with an explanation via email relative to the $80,000 budget checklist request in Item 13 (Newport Terrace Gas Collection System). Regarding Item 16 (Decorative Banner /Flag Encroachment Policy), City Manager Bludau indicated that this is an annual request that can be approved by staff. City Manager Bludau noted that the public hearings for the Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) (Items 5 -7) will be held on June 23, 3009. Council Member Henn indicated that it appears that the matching amounts from the BIDs have increased and requested an explanation before the public hearings are conducted. Mayor Selich requested that staff also clarify whether the BIDS have asked for new money. Regarding Item 11 (Measure M Growth Management Program), Council Member Henn referenced the Pavement Rehabilitation Projects chart and received clarification from Public Works Director Badum that the Central Balboa Peninsula Pavement Rehabilitation project is within Assessment District No. 101 and that some of the streets within the district need to be replaced and the drainage needs to be fixed. Regarding Item 17 (Boards and Commissions Vacancies), Mayor Pro Tem Curry received confirmation that Maiqual Talbot only wanted to be considered for the Civil Service Board vacancy. 2. BUDGET REVIEW. Traffic Sianalization Phases_ 6 6 and 8 Volume 59 — Page 175 City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session June 9, 2009 Deputy Public Works Director Webb provided an update on the previous phases, the design and construction of Phases 5, 6 and 8, and the timeline for the phases. He confirmed that the Pacific Coast Highway relinquishment can be added at any time, but those signals do not have fiber optic cable. He also discussed possible grant opportunities, the benefits of continuing with the current traffic signalization firm, and the methodology for phasing the project. He stated that there is a benefit to having someone man the signals, so they will explore better practices on how to handle this. City Manager Bludau noted that the Governor is looking at taking away 75% of local gas tax money for a number of years. Deputy Public Works Director Webb noted that this could mean losing $1 million a year of gas tax money that the City uses to maintain its pavement program. In response to Council questions, Deputy Public Works Director Webb indicated that Measure M money is a sales tax that the State cannot touch; however, the State can attempt to access other monies. Big-Corona PolicePatrQ) Park Patrol Police Chief Klein discussed the history of enforcement at the Corona del Mar State Beach, citizen concerns, and actions taken by the Police Department in response to citizen concerns. He highlighted the amount of overtime spent and the number of citations and arrests conducted by the footbeats and area units. He noted that recent daytime beach concerns are associated with fire ring, barbecue, and vehicle code violation issues, and that coordination has occurred between the Police Department, Fire Department, Lifeguards, General Services, Code Enforcement, Recreation, and Parking. He stated that Police resources are limited and, as part of the Police Department's 2% reduction, the department is limiting overtime. He discussed the importance of educating the public, having an extra set of eyes on the beach, and how Park Patrol can assist, especially since they are able to issue citations. Recreation and Services Director Detweiler reported that the Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission is recommending that the City hire a part-time Park Patrol Ranger to help educate and enforce regulations at Corona del Mar State Beach and assist with the year - round patrolling of the City's 68 parks and facilities. She agreed that this will not solve the problem, but will help the effort. She highlighted the training involved and the expanded responsibilities that Park Patrol has undertaken since it was created, and explained the cost breakdown for the new position. Following Mayor Pro Tem Curry and Council Member Glover expressing support for the proposed Park Patrol position, City Manager Bludau indicated that the position will be added to the budget checklist. Reclassification of Video Producer to Custody Officer Police Chief Klein reported that the Corrections Standards Authority (CSA) recommended that the Police Department have two custody officers in the jail, rather than one. He indicated that the video producer left the department and that, instead of filling the position, the salary could be used toward hiring the additional custody officer, the department's videos can be contracted out, and neither the video producer or custody officer is a sworn position. It was the consensus of Council to place the position on the budget checklist. Volume 59— Page 176 City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session June 9, 2009 Clean Natural Gas General Services Director Harmon reviewed the two Air Quality Management District (AQMD) regulations that mandate the replacement of public and private diesel fleets with clean burning natural gas vehicles. He noted the cost savings with using natural gas versus diesel fuel and the City will receive a royalty fee for outside use of the fueling station. He reported that the building of the station was approved by Council in 2008 and the fleet maintenance shop would need modifications. He also reported on Council Policy F -9 regarding vehicle replacements, the bids received for front and rear -load refuse trucks, the difference between the two types of trucks and where they are used in the community, and the pros and cons of automated collection. He reviewed funding opportunities but noted that money has been set aside for the trucks in anticipation of the purchases. He stated that they will come back in July with bids for the four replacement trucks, noted that used diesel equipment cannot be resold in this country but the shells can, and reported that AQMD is also interested in applying the regulations to smaller vehicles. Reorganization of the Utilities Department Utilities Director Murdoch discussed the turnover in management and vacancies in key positions, reviewed the reasons for the organizational review of the department, and reported that the study recommended the creation of a Deputy Director position. He stated that new issues have arose that require a higher level of upper management assistance, reviewed the duties of the Deputy Director and how the position could be funded, highlighted the proposed department organizational chart, and explained the difference between the Director and Deputy Director positions. Seryic_es.Provided at tbe_CQrona del- Mar Branch Library Library Services Director Cowell discussed the proposal to add tables, chairs, a coffee bar, and expanded services at the Corona del Mar Branch Library. She reported that people can contribute to the refurbishment of the library by donating to the Library Foundation or directly to the library via the City. Bud et Questions Administrative Services Director Danner reported that there are two public hearings tonight regarding the budget. Regarding the Fire Department budget, Administrative Services Director Danner provided an updated allocation plan that updates the salaries and benefit increase for 2008.09 and 2009 -10 from what was originally included in the previous budget materials sent to Council. This update reduced the percentage increase in the Fire Department budget from 8% to 2% for fiscal year 2009 -10. Fire Chief Lewis reported that the increase in salaries for the 2007- 08 and 2008 -09 fiscal years was due mainly to filling of vacancies, and added that the salary increase is also due to paying step increases to the younger personnel. Regarding the McFadden Square Centennial Project, Ray Price discussed Phase II of the project and the need for an advance of $50,000 to begin the next band of stone tiles. City Manager Bludau expressed concern about expending staff on this project when there are ongoing projects that need their attention and that the project is requiring a higher level of maintenance. Bernie Svalstad noted that the McFadden Project was intended to be a living legacy, believed that the funding is a small request, discussed the need to have someone oversee the project, pointed out that maintenance will always be needed, and reported that the project could generate over $260,000 which could be used to assist with maintenance Volume 69 - Page 177 City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session June 9, 2009 costs. He indicated that he could work with the Peninsula community associations to help relieve some of the management pressure. Council Member Henn expressed concern about building the ring for the $250 tiles when the $1,000 tiles are not being sold; however, noted that a management solution for the overall responsibility of the project needs to be determined, the seed money will be recouped over time, a fund should be established to pay for maintenance, and a City monument should be looked after by the City. Council Member Gardner suggested having someone else take over the project so the City does not use staff time. Council Member Webb noted that, when the City decided to create a centennial monument, maintenance was necessary. He suggested only updating the history every five years, and believed that the $46,000 is reasonable and the project should not be turned over to someone else. Mayor Selich believed that there should be one staff member dealing with this project. City Manager Bludau indicated that he will place this on the budget checklist. Regarding the budget checklist, Council Member Henn requested that the Balboa Village Palm Tree Replacement Matching Fund Program, the Economic Development Committee (EDC) Strategic Plan, McFadden Square Centennial Project, West Balboa Median project for design only, and Coastal Peal Park maintenance be added to the budget checklist. Council Member Webb requested that the Mariners Mile Boardwalk project be reinstated and additional planning for traffic calming measures along Mariners Mile be added to the budget checklist. In response to Council Member Rosansky's questions, Administrative Services Director Danner confirmed that the City needs to do the landfill gas control system but it is not in the budget. Council Member Daigle requested that an interim landscaping fix be explored for Bristol. Regarding the City Hall and Park Project, Council Member Gardner requested a clearer explanation of the project and its changes, but not necessarily the costs since they are unknown at this time. 3. CONSIDERATION OF ISSUES RELATED TO INCREASING CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION LIMITS AND MORE CLEARLY DEFINING TERM LIMITS FOR CITY COUNCIL OFFICE. Mayor Pro Tern Curry discussed how the cost to run a campaign has increased, noted that most Orange County cities do not have campaign limits, and suggested that an ordinance come back for Council consideration relative to increasing the limit and allow it to be adjusted by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Council Member Rosansky expressed support for the request and noted that only four Orange County cities have lower contribution limits. Council Member Henn believed that a $1,000 contribution limit places the City on the conservative end of the Orange County cities and agreed that it is expensive to run campaigns. He recommended adjusting the contribution limit every two years by the CPI, following General Municipal Elections, and rounding the amount to the nearest $100. Council Member Daigle expressed support for this recommendation. In response to Council questions, City Attorney Hunt indicated that the San Jose case has not been ruled on and that there is no limit on how much a candidate can contribute to his or her campaign. Council Member Gardner expressed hope that the City would eventually look into Volume 59 — Page 178 City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session June 9, 2009 independent expenditure contributions because it affected the last election. City Attorney Hunt indicated that he would bring back an analysis. Regarding term limits, Mayor Pro Tem Curry reviewed the results of the 1992 election regarding term limits Charter and provided examples of how the intent of the charter amendment relative to term limits could be interpreted in order to have longer terms. He recommended that an ordinance be drafted to assist with the ambiguities and more clearly defines terms, term limits, and the necessity to be out of office for four years after serving two terms prior in order to be a Council candidate. In response to Council questions, City Attorney Hunt agreed that it would be better to clear up the ambiguities before a problem arises and confirmed that this does not affect Council Members who were appointed to the position and want to run for two consecutive terms. City Manager Bludau indicated that the topic of term limits can be discussed further at another study session with an ordinance on the regular agenda. Ron Hendrickson expressed concern about increasing the campaign contribution limit. He believed that all unscheduled Council vacancies should be handled through a special election, not the appointment process. Additionally, that person should only be allowed to serve one full term after the unscheduled term is over. III. PUBLIC.QOIVIMENTS -None IV. ADJOURNMENT - 5:31 p.m. The agenda for the Study Session was posted on June 3, 2009, at 3:45 p.m. on the City Hall Bulletin Board located outside of the City of Newport Beach Administration Building. City Clerk Mayor Volume 59 - Page 179