HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/10/2010 - Study SessionCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
City Council Minutes
City Council Study Session
August 10, 2010 — 4:00 p.m.
I. ROLL CALL
Present: Council Member Selich, Council Member Rosansky, Mayor Pro Tem Henn, Mayor
Curry, Council Member Webb, Council Member Gardner, Council Member Daigle
II. CURRENT BUSINESS
1. CLARIFICATION OF ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
Council Member Henn requested clarification at the Regular Meeting regarding dollar
amounts for Item 18 (Newport Bay).
In response to Council Member Gardner's question regarding Item 10 (Voth Contract),
Police Lieutenant Birch and City Attorney Hunt clarified why the State is not assisting
with the cost.
2. BACK BAY SCIENCE CENTER LABS.
City Manager Kiff utilized a PowerPoint presentation to discuss activities at the Back
Bay Science Center (BBSC) and the E.S.I. Program. In response to Council questions,
he discussed uses for the site, oil spill testing, and the docent program.
Council Member Webb suggested allowing greater community access to the center.
Council Member Daigle agreed with Council Member Webb and suggested
that alternatives to a grant be considered.
3. NEWPORT BEACH CITYWIDE DIRECTIONAL AND WAYFINDING SIGN
PROGRAM.
Economic Development Coordinator Bowden utilized a PowerPoint presentation to
discuss the Wayfinding Sign Program history, the Citywide Directional Sign Program,
timelines, phases of the project, before and after photographs, proposed sign locations,
and a cost summary. In response to Council questions, she discussed the cost per sign
and traffic flow. General Services Director Harmon believed that the project would be
too large for the City sign shop to handle.
Council Member Rosansky believed that $185,000 could be spent more wisely and
suggested better quality signs.
Council Member Gardner expressed concern for spending such a large amount of money
at this time and indicated that the current signs are not as effective as they could be.
Council Member Webb discussed possibilities for funding and suggested standardizing
the signs to help lower the cost.
Volume 59 - Page 551
City of Newport Beach
City Council Study Session
August 10, 2010
Mayor Curry expressed support for moving ahead with bids. He stated that the project
needs to be completed and expressed concerned for the cost of the signs.
Mayor Pro Tem Henn noted that both the Economic Development Committee and Visit
Newport Beach support the project, and suggested that Visit Newport Beach contribute
funds to the project. He expressed support for proceeding with the project if funding
can be found aside from the General Fund.
Council Member Daigle indicated that stimulating business is a high priority.
In light of Council's comments, staff will consider moving forward with re- bidding the
project to determine updated project cost, and will further research funding sources
that do not impact General Fund Expenses. The project will be reconsidered by Council
following that work.
Public Works Director Badum discussed sign alternatives and noted that custom signs
will drive up the cost.
Council Member Selich supported a competitive bid for the project.
W.R. Dildine expressed support for the project.
4. WATER BUDGET RATE STRUCTURES - This item was not discussed.
5. CITYWIDE SPEED SURVEY UPDATE - This item was not discussed.
lII. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None
IV. ADJOURNMENT - 4:42 p.m.
The agenda for the Study Session was posted on August 4, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. on the
City Hall Bulletin Board located outside of the City of Newport Beach Administration
Building.
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