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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/26/2010 - Study SessionCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH City Council Minutes City Council Study Session January 26, 2010 — 4:00 p.m I. ROLL CALL II. Present: Council Member Selich, Mayor Curry, Council Member Webb, Council Member Gardner Absent: Council Member Rosansky, Mayor Pro Tem Henn, Council Member Daigle 1. CLARIFICATION OF ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR. In response to Council Member Gardner's question regarding Item 19 [Transfer of Development Rights in North. Newport Center Planned Community (PA2009- 159)], City Traffic Engineer Brine clarified that the trip distribution is neutral. Regarding Item 3 (Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance), City Manager Kiff indicated that the resolution was restated to delete wording relative to a public hearing. Council Member Daigle arrived at 4:02 p.m. Regarding Item 21 (Early Retirement Incentive Program and Organizational Restructuring Update), Council Member Daigle asked staff to disclose the hourly compensation for the positions. 2. AVIATION ISSUES UPDATE. [100 -20101 City Manager Kiff showed a PowerPoint presentation that included information about the John Wayne Airport (JWA) airfield map, aircraft operations, commercial passenger volume, existing protections, the Airport Noise and Capacity Act (ANCA), Council Policy A -17, the Settlement Agreement, and the Corridor Cities Seven Principles. He also provided website, email, and meeting information. Council Member Rosansky and Mayor Pro Tem Henn arrived at 4:03 p.m. In response to Mayor Curry's question, City Manager Kiff stated that the curfew will still be in effect even after the Settlement Agreement expires. In response to Council Member Selich's question, City Manager Kiff stated that the Settlement Agreement did not affect capacity in a negative way. Mayor Pro Tem Henn noted that the capacity level did not exceed the threshold so no reduction in actual capacity level was required when the current agreement was adopted. In response to Mayor Pm Tem Henn's question, City Manager Kiff explained that the reason one of the principles is to oppose the reduction of general aviation is W ensure that a second large runway is not built that would allow for more commercial airline use. In response to Council Member Gardners question, City Manager Kiff stated that they have Volume 59 - Page 876 City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session January 26, 2010 received favorable responses from other cities and reminded Council that the El Toro Planning Group that supported the 2003 extension is the same group that will likely be adopting the principles. Mayor Curry indicated that JWA continues to be a City priority and noted that the City is working to build a coalition so it is in the best position to negotiate with the County. 8. QBS CONSULTANTS. [100 -2010) Public Works Director Badum showed a PowerPoint presentation that included information about the Federal Brooks Act, State Mini Brooks Act, Council Policy F -14, and how Quality Based Selection (QBS) works. In response to Council questions, Public Works Director Badum stated that staff utilizes the best contract process depending on the needs of the project, provided examples of how the City handled contracts in the past, stated that the Federal, State, and the City's Council Policy requires the City to utilize the QBS process, noted that staff reviews all rates, discussed the different types of soil testing, and indicated that there is a general rate structure. He highlighted the different levels of engineering, how costs are controlled, and the negotiation process. He indicated that bidding only works when detailed specifications or a detailed scope of service is known, and believed that the QBS process encourages technical excellence and innovation. City Attorney Hunt stated that the current process is consistent with Council Policy F -14 which, outlines the criteria that Public Works Director Badum identified. Council Member Selich questioned the current contract process and believed that it should be reevaluated to provide for more competitive bidding among qualified bidders. Council Member Daigle agreed and noted that the City has projects that can benefit from the revised approach. It was the consensus of Council to direct staff to reevaluate Council Policy F -14 and bring it back to Council. Council Member Webb noted that Council has stayed out of the contract process in the past. City Attorney Hunt suggested that the revised policy continue to include the Public Works Department's ability to not recommend the lowest proposal. Steve Mmana, Newport Beach Public Library Foundation President, discussed the need for a larger community room at the new City Hall, believed that the Friends Room does not meet the community's growing needs, and indicated that a larger auditorium will benefit groups in the community. Council Member Gardner stated that the OASIS Senior Center's community room has adequate room and parking for events, like the Distinguished Lecture Series. Liz Ann Witte congratulated Council for their work on the new City Hall, believed that the new City Hall will be a world class facility, submitted a handout regarding the need for a 21st century community room, spoke on behalf of Gregg Swank (Newport Beach Film Festival), and suggested that the library be renovated with state -of -the -art equipment. Jean Witte believed that a bigger community room is needed at the new City Hall, stated that other social and cultural agencies will use the facility, and thanked Council for their consideration. In response to Council Member Gardner's question, Elizabeth Stahr believed that the Friends Room is not utilized as much because of parking issues. She stated that art programs are looking for places to Volume 59 - Page 877 City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session January 26, 2010 hold events, noted that the OASIS Senior Center limits the number of non -OASIS activities, and suggested that Council reconsider building a bigger community room at the new City Hall. Dave Carmichael believed that a bigger auditorium is important to the community. Laura Ball believed that a cultural center is needed, indicated that this is an opportunity to build a larger facility with taping capabilities, and urged Council to create a facility that will become the hub of the City. Gordon McAlpine discussed other programs that will utilize the community room and believed that a larger room will allow the City the opportunity to get a literary and artistic identity. Lisa Edwards expressed support for a bigger community room at the new City Hall. Mayor Curry thanked everyone for their input, noted that he has attended many events in the Friends Room, indicated that the funding for a larger community room is not available, suggested that recommendations be provided to the Building Committee, and welcomed funding ideas from the public. Council Member Gardner expressed concern that the proposed community room is similar in size to the Friends Room and indicated that updating the'existing Friends Room with audio capabilities might be sufficient. Mayor Pro Tem Henn reiterated that funds are not available. He requesterd information about the OASIS Senior Center's capacity, availability, and ability to video tape meetings. He also asked staff to evaluate the possibility of creating a cooperative programming approach to maximize meeting room use. IV. ADJOURNMENT - 6:10 P.M. The agenda for the Study Session Meeting was posted on January 20, 2010, at 4:20 p.m. on the City Hall Bulletin Board located outside of the City of Newport Beach Administration Building, Secretary Mayor — C(Xduvi �_ A a— City Clerk Volume 59 - Page 878