HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/28/2011 - Study SessionW50 �Ilffx;
City Council Minutes
City Council Study Session
June 28, 2011 4:00 p.m.
I. ROLL CALL
Present: Council Member Hill, Council Member Rosansky, Mayor Pro Tern Gardner, Mayor
Henn, Council Member Selich, Council Member Curry, Council Member Daigle
II. CURRENT BUSINESS
1. CLARIFICATION OF ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
In response to cost - estimate concerns from Mayor Henn regarding Item 7
(Disposition of Surplus Assessment District Fund Balances), Public Works Director
Badum reported that Assessment District 69 was the largest district the City has
ever had, the contingency was about $1.3 million, staff was relatively frugal with the
money, there were not as many difficulties in paving the streets as they normally
encounter, they were able to save most of the contingency, and mentioned that
approximately $200,000 of the money is interest earnings on the contingency.
2. UPDATE ON FOURTH OF JULY IN WEST NEWPORT. [100 -20111
Police Lieutenant Brouwer utilized a PowerPoint presentation to discuss issues, last
year's July 4th, the multi-year plan, enforcement concepts, the implementation of the
Incident Command System (ICS), access to the Peninsula, police shift times, the full
Police Department deployment, community outreach, staff contacts, and planning,
traffic control, and parking information.
Recreation Supervisor. Lohr utilized a PowerPoint presentation and spoke about the
West Newport 4th of July Parade and Festival.
Discussion ensued between Council and staff regarding traffic around the turn -
pocket east of Balboa Boulevard, time and location of the parade, outreach to UCI
and local campuses in the area, and changing the culture of West Newport.
Jim Mosher thanked staff for extending the number of family - friendly events in the
City, including the fireworks display at the Newport Dunes but expressed his
concerns regarding parking and walk -in fees for residents pursuant to Council Policy
B -12. City Manager Kiff stated that staff would look into and address his concerns.
3. DISCUSSION OF OPTIONS FOR PROVIDING OF LEGAL SERVICES TO
THE CITY AND STRUCTURE OF THE OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY.
[100 -2011]
City Attorney Hunt utilized a PowerPoint presentation to discuss internal resources,
resources by task; paradigm options, staff cost reductions, and an hourly rate
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City of Newport Beach
City Council Study Session
June 28, 2011
comparison table.
In response to questions from Council, City Attorney Hunt clarified that he gave in-
house examples to give Council an idea of the amount of work that would have to be
sent out, spoke regarding core responsibilities, managing outside legal services, the
possibility of outside counsel costing more, monetary savings in reducing the role of
the City Attorney, billable hours, and the balanced on- demand and integrated
model.
Council Member Daigle stated that she is inclined to support the balanced on-
demand model and requested discussion on how the management of outside counsel
will be executed. She expressed the need to negotiate better rates and determine the
feasibility of limiting the number of outside legal firms that the City uses.
Council Member Curry stated that he is inclined to support the balanced on- demand
model using more enhanced contracting services along with some in -house
capability. He noted that the City intends to fully meet its obligations to provide the
best legal counsel to the City and vigorously defend its taxpayers.
Council Member Rosansky stated that he is inclined to support the balanced on-
demand model with a less robust City Attorney's Office and more outside assistance.
Council Member Hill stated that he is inclined to support the balanced on- demand
model. He recommended testing the potential cost savings on previous years.
Discussion ensued between the City Attorney and Council regarding economies of
scale.
Council Member Selich stated that he is inclined to support the balanced on- demand
model; however, leaning more toward the philosophy of a three attorney model and
making sure that the core in -house area is covered while controlling the overall cost
in the City Attorney's Office through proper use of outside legal counsel.
Mayor Henn stated that he is inclined to support the balanced on- demand model and
recommended further discussion by Council on what each model really means in
terms of specific recommendations, areas to be outsourced and how the City
Attorney's Office will perform on a day -to -day basis. He emphasized that this
matter is not an issue about the quality of work performed by the current City
Attorney's Office.
City Attorney Hunt summarized that there is a consensus on Council to go with the
balanced on- demand model.
III. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Homer Bludau referenced Agenda Item 22 (FY 12 Special Event Support Recommendations)
and spoke regarding an application submitted by the 1/1 Marine Beach Challenge for $4,000
($2,000 in parking fees and $2,000 to cover the cost of the permits). He provided a brief
history of the 1/1 Marines Foundation and asked for the City's partnership in going forward
with the event.
In response to Mr. Bludau's comments, Council Member Daigle donated $500 from her
contingency account to the 1/1 Marine Beach Challenge.
Volume 60 - Page 175
City of Newport Beach
City Council Study Session
June 28, 2011
Jim Mosher expressed his concerns regarding Closed Session Agenda Item ILC (Marina
Park Mobile Home Park), as well as topics and language permitted by the Brown Act. City
Attorney Hunt stated that he disagreed with Mr. Mosher's statements and reported that
Council is in full compliance with the limited exceptions of the Brown Act.
IV. ADJOURNMENT - 5:20 p.m
The agenda for the Study Session was posted on June 23, 2011, at 3:30 p.m. on the
City Hall Bulletin Board located outside of the City of Newport Beach
Administration Building.
Recording Secre!�ry
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