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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/10/2001 - Study SessionS CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH City Council Minutes Study Session April 10, 2001- 4:25 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Ridgeway, Glover, Bromberg, Mayor Adams Absent: Heffernan, O'Neil & Proctor (excused) CURRENT BUSINESS 1. CLARIFICATION OF ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR. Regarding Item No. 8, Budget Amendment for Deferred Maintenance Projects at the Oil & Gas Field Facility, Council Member Ridgeway stated that he understood the request, but that the item should have gone through the Oil & Gas Field Operations Committee prior to coming to the City Council. Regarding Item No. 12, Appointment to Environmental Quality Affairs Citizens Advisory Committee (EQAC), City Manager Bludau stated that the appointment of Cris Trapp to EQAC should be made as a member at -large and not as a member with expertise in the area of CEQA administration or environmental expertise. 2. VISION 2004 ORAL PRESENTATION. City Manager Bludau stated that the intent of the presentation at the current meeting was to provide information on the Vision 2004 plan for Corona del Mar. He added that a review of the maintenance and impact details was planned to take place at the regular meeting, later in the evening. Ed Selich, Chairman of the Planning Commission and Vision 2004 Plan Coordinator, used PowerPointto present Vision 2004, a plan for Corona del Mar's centennial. He stated that in August of 1999, the Corona del Mar Business Improvement District (BID) hosted a weekend long design charrette, where professional urban designers met with business owners and residents to explore what design changes might take place to improve the Corona del Mar business district and strengthen the village atmosphere in the area. Mr. Selich stated that the results of the charrette were used by the BID, the Corona del Mar Residents Association and the Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce to prepare Vision 2004. Mr. Selich stated that in order to make any significant changes in the area, one of the first orders of business was for the City to assume jurisdiction over Coast Highway. He stated that in February of 2000, the City Council authorized the BID to begin the negotiation process with the State. And, in Spring of 2000, the BID commenced the drafting of a concept plan for Coast Volume 54 - Page 184 II X11701:1 Vision 2004 Corona del Mar Plan (68) City of Newport Beach Study Session Minutes April 10, 2001 INDEX Highway. He noted that the Vision 2004 plan before the City Council at the current meeting is still work in progress and a concept plan only. He stated that the final design details would still need to be discussed. Mr. Selich further explained that the plan proposal has been printed on a two -sided poster, with plan and prospective views on the front and text on the back. He stated that the poster is the primary communication document for Vision 2004. He noted that a new logo was also created by the BID with a new motto, "Corona del Mar, the Seaside Garden Village ". Mr. Selich stated that the backbone of the plan is to create a strong median landscaping statement along the length of Coast Highway in Corona del Mar. He added that the park -like feeling created by the medians would be further enhanced by sidewalk landscaping and that new paving materials would be used on all of the sidewalks. Mr. Selich stated that it is also proposed to treat the parking lanes with paving similar to the sidewalks, rather than the traditional asphalt. Regarding lighting fixtures, Mr. Selich stated that the current cobra head standards would be replaced with a decorative heritage lighting fixture. He stated that the standards would have permanent brackets for hanging baskets, which would further contribute to the park -like garden theme. He mentioned that the standards would also have permanent brackets for banners. Mr. Selich stated that a coordinated collection of street furniture would also be selected and placed in appropriate locations. Mr. Selich stated that major accents are being proposed for key locations along the business district. He specifically stated that special paving treatment is being proposed for the intersection at Marguerite Avenue and Coast Highway. And, a village green would be created at the parking area at Marguerite Avenue and Bayside Drive, with the parking area moved beneath it. He stated that it is envisioned that a focal point structure would also be placed at this location, making it the village center. Mr. Selich stated that other key locations that would receive enhancement would be the eastern gateway to the business district at Seaward Road and the western gateway at Avocado Avenue. He added that traffic lanes would be moved at the intersection of MacArthur Boulevard and Coast Highway and other changes made to encourage pedestrian traffic throughout the area. Mr. Selich stated that Coast Highway will remain a major traffic arterial, but the plan envisions the creation of additional pedestrian crossings. He stated that the Vision 2004 plan makes Coast Highway a visual delight for motorists, while also making it pedestrian friendly. Mr. Selich stated that discussions have taken place with Corona del Mar Plaza regarding the upgrading and enhancing of their pedestrian entrance at MacArthur Boulevard and Coast Highway, as well. Mr. Selich stated that the Vision 2004 presentation has been given to over 2,000 residents since October of 2000. He stated that this outreach program has resulted in modifications to plan proposals to satisfy concerns expressed during the process. He stated that the presentation has also been televised, reaching many more residents throughout the entire City. He stated that as a result of the community outreach program, numerous endorsements have Volume 54 - Page 185 City of Newport Beach Study Session Minutes April 10, 2001 been received. Mr. Selich announced the BID's website, which can accessed at www.cdmvillage.com. INDEX Mr. Selich stated that the next step in the process would be to adopt the resolution before the City Council at the regular meeting later in the evening, requesting that the California Transportation Commission (CalTrans) support relinquishment of a portion of State Highway Route 1. He stated that it was important for the City Council to adopt the resolution at the evening meeting so that the item could come before the Transportation Board in June. Mr. Selich stated that the Vision 2004 plan is expected to cost approximately $12 million, with a substantial portion of it proposed to come from the funds that CalTrans will pay as a part of the relinquishment. Mr. Selich stated that the ongoing maintenance of the plan is approximately $222,627 annually, above what is currently paid by the City with CalTrans in control of Coast Highway. Mr. Selich stated that the BID is willing to pay for a portion of the increase, but the balance of it would have to come from the City. He stated that there are many benefits to the City for taking over control of Coast Highway, even if the Vision 2004 plan is not constructed. He added that the annual increase in ongoing maintenance would be approximately $132,200, without the Vision 2004 plan. Mr. Selich stated that the Vision 2004 plan is a unique opportunity to take the Corona del Mar business district to a higher level and one that is equal to the beautiful residential community surrounding it. He stated that the plan's vision is shared by residents, business owners and property owners. He added that the plan is the result of twenty -one months of hard work. Don Glasgow, BID Chairman, stated that the journey has been long and everything is being done to develop a proposal that will be high in quality and value. He urged the City Council to adopt the resolution of relinquishment before them at the regular meeting, noting how important the negotiations with CalTrans are to the process. Referring to the staff report for Item No. 17 of the regular meeting, Mayor Adams asked why the BID would be authorized to work with the City and CalTrans on long -term maintenance and liability issues, and then report back to the City Council. He stated that this process should ideally happen prior to the adoption of the resolution. City Manager Bludau stated that the City has already done the best job it can in identifying the liability risks, given that no other streets in the City are comparable. He stated that the areas of potential concern could be addressed in the engineering phase of the project. Council Member Glover recalled that CalTrans at one point wrote a letter stating their preference for having the entire highway relinquished. She asked for an update on the portions of Coast Highway that were under CalTrans' control. Public Works Director Webb stated that all of Coast Highway, within the City limits, was under CalTrans control. City Manager Bludau stated that the suggestion by CalTrans was not pursued by the City because it wasn't a project defined in the Vision 2004 plan. Volume 54 - Page 186 City of Newport Beach Study Session Minutes April 10, 2001 INDEX Council Member Glover stated her concern for not knowing the liability risks of taking over the highway. She also expressed concern about pedestrian safety and asked if more stoplights could be added. Public Works Director Webb stated that it is a matter of cost and traffic flow. City Manager Bludau noted that approximately half of the pedestrians currently use the marked crosswalks and the addition of three new traffic signals, as proposed in the Vision 2004 plan, is expected to further increase pedestrian safety. Council Member Glover stated that it still leaves two intersections without lights. She asked about the accident rate. Public Works Director Webb stated that no information has been published on whether accidents increase or decrease as a result of signaled crosswalks. City Manager Bludau added that putting traffic signals at just some of the intersections could cause motorists to ignore pedestrians at the other intersections, but putting them at all intersections adds the concern about traffic flow and air pollution. Mr. Selich explained that the recommendation to add three new traffic signals was expected to provide the optimal balance. Council Member Glover stated that the plan was a good one, but that she did want to verbalize her concerns about pedestrian safety in the area. Mayor Pro Tem Ridgeway suggested that the new logo include a mention of Newport Beach. He clarified with Mr. Selich that the existing parking at the village green would be moved underground with landscaping planted on top. Mr. Selich stated that the change in grade makes it feasible, but that the details still need to be worked out and the idea is still in the conceptual stage. Mayor Pro Tem Ridgeway made note that the Coastal Commission recently denied the request in the Balboa Village plan to move some of the convenient parking in the village to a larger parking lot. He suggested that this be taken into consideration when developing the Vision 2004 plan. Mayor Pro Tem Ridgeway additionally expressed his concern for the liability issue. He stated his understanding that CalTrans would prefer to relinquish the entire stretch of Coast Highway running through Newport Beach, which would include future annexations. He stated that he cannot support such a relinquishment due to liability, although he does support the Vision 2004 plan. Mayor Pro Tem Ridgeway stated that a better job could also be done with balancing the maintenance costs. He stated that unless the BID is prepared to step in to a higher degree, he couldn't support the City spending approximately $200,000 on maintenance costs annually for the plan. Mayor Pro Tem Ridgeway concluded by stating that he didn't think CalTrans would allow the design elements in the plan while Coast Highway is under their control nor would they agree to a reasonable reimbursement for the City taking over the highway. Council Member Bromberg stated that it's a wonderful project and liability will always be a concern with a project of such magnitude. He added that the signaled crosswalks in Laguna seem effective. Regarding maintenance costs, Mayor Adams asked how energy in the corridor is paid for. City Manager Bludau stated that the City currently Volume 54 - Page 187 City of Newport Beach Study Session Minutes April 10, 2001 INDEX pays for the energy used by the streetlights. Mayor Adams noted that the maintenance of the new street furniture did not appear to be listed in the maintenance costs list. Mr. Selich could not confirm for Mayor Adams under what category the pavement cleaning costs were included, but did state that the BID would be taking care of the banner program. Mayor Adams agreed with City Manager Bludau's earlier concern about some intersections having more protection than others, and the liability issue. In response to Council Member Glover's question about the maintenance costs, City Manager Bludau stated that City staff developed the figures, with General Services Director Niederhaus calculating the majority of them. Mayor Adams suggested to Mr. Selich that it might be better to have a comprehensive list of costs, with an indication of those costs that will be paid for by the BID. Mayor Pro Tem Ridgeway noted that the plan is only conceptual. Mayor Adams stated that the ongoing maintenance costs are a main issue. Mr. Selich stated that he understood that the process was evolving, that more information is always coming in and there is a lot of work still to be done. Mayor Pro Tem Ridgeway stated that the project would not involve a general plan amendment so would not be subject to the terms of Measure S. City Manager Bludau stated that it would be subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Mayor Pro Tem Ridgeway asked if the City has a database of information regarding accidents on Coast Highway in Corona del Mar. Risk Manager Farley stated that a database does exist, the loss data goes back twenty years and has been computerized for the last five years. Per Mayor Adams' question, City Attorney Burnham stated that claims filed with CalTrans would not be included in the City's database, but he didn't think a claim had been filed CalTrans that hadn't also been filed with the City. Mayor Pro Tem Ridgeway asked about the basis for liability against CalTrans. City Attorney Burnham stated that the basis against CalTrans and the City is the same and that either is liable if there is a dangerous condition on public property, but that the definition of dangerous condition differs among different people. City Attorney Burnham added that case law does not find street lighting as a factor in deciding if there is a dangerous condition, but site line is. Mayor Pro Tem Ridgeway asked about the possibility of using encroachment permits to assume a portion of the liability. Public Works Director Webb stated that CalTrans does not intend to issue encroachment permits for items that are not standard construction. Mayor Pro Tem Ridgeway asked how much had been paid out by the City in the last year or two for claims on Coast Highway in Corona del Mar. Risk Volume 54 - Page 188 City of Newport Beach Study Session Minutes April 10, 2001 INDEX Manager Farley stated that the information could be provided, but that she doesn't recall any money being paid out during that time period for that area. She added that typically claims involving CalTrans right -of -way are referred to CalTrans. Mayor Pro Tern Ridgeway stated that the City should know how much CalTrans has paid for such claims. Council Member Glover requested that the accident records for the unsignaled intersection at Iris Avenue be provided to the City Council. She suggested that possibly parking spaces could be removed to better the site line, although she understands that problem with doing that. 3. GENERAL PLAN PUBLIC OUTREACH UPDATE. City Manager Bludau stated that the General Plan Update Committee has been meeting every two weeks since October of 2000. He stated that Carolyn Verheyen of Moore Iacofano Goltsman, Inc. (MIG) has been working with the committee to prepare a public outreach visioning process. Using a PowerPoint presentation, City Manager Bludau stated that the purpose of the visioning process is to build consensus among a broad spectrum of the community about the future direction of the community, to make sure that input is obtained about major choices facing the City, to inform the decision makers of public opinion and preferences, and to lay the groundwork for policy development. City Manager Bludau stated that shared community visioning will achieve a vision for the future which would include an assessment of the current state of the City, a shared set of core values and a clear set of strategic directions. He stated that the visioning process is divided into four concurrent tracks which include outreach, community participation, technical studies and staff coordination of the process. City Manager Bludau stated that the visioning process would include a state of the City key choices summary, and vision, values and strategic directions as part of the final document. He stated that the process also includes intangible benefits, which include planning, active engagement of the community and developing a stronger sense of community. City Manager Bludau stated that many methods would be used to obtain public participation during the process. City Manager Bludau listed the action items that would be recommended at the regular meeting under Item No. 18, Recommendations from General Plan Update Committee on Community Outreach "Visioning" Process, Composition of General Plan Advisory Committee, and Consultant Selection. He added that an additional item, Item No. 519, would approve the budget amendment needed to fund the agreement with MIG. City Manager Bludau stated that the General Plan Update Committee has worked very hard on their recommendations and there has been very good participation. Mayor Adams thanked the committee members and members of the public Volume 54 - Page 189 General Plan Update (68) a City of Newport Beach Study Session Minutes April 10, 2001 INDEX that have participated in the open meetings. He stated that he hopes it continues to be a community -run effort. He stated that the state of the City key choices document will pull together many aspects and will help in formulating the future direction of the City. Lastly, Mayor Adams stated that he is impressed with MIG and feels comfortable moving forward with them. Mayor Pro Tern Ridgeway asked about the budget amendment being requested in Item No. S19. City Manager Bludau stated that the $221,500 would come from the general fund unappropriated surplus. Mayor Adams confirmed with City Manager Bludau that there was already a line item in the budget for the general plan update and asked why the money to hire MIG wouldn't come from that account. City Manager Bludau stated that the money that was budgeted will be needed for technical studies. Planning Director Temple further stated that $150,000 was budgeted in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) to pay for technical studies in the current budget year. She added that MIG has also been paid from this account for services to date. City Manager Bludau stated that the General Plan Update Committee has recommended that the City undergo a comprehensive general plan update. Mayor Adams agreed and felt that it should be done right. Elaine Linhoff, 1760 East Ocean Boulevard, stated her disagreement with spending money when it is not needed. She stated that the visioning process should make better use of volunteers. She stated that the new Public Information Officer could also play a role in the process. She stated that she didn't know if this was the time to be spending the amount of money being requested. Mayor Adams stated that volunteers and the Public Information Officers will be used. He stated that he feels the City has optimized all resources, but he understands Ms. Linhoffs comments. He added that this could be considered one of the most important studies that the City needs to have done and it should be done right. Ms. Linhoff stated that a volunteer did do a survey, prior to the November election, and it was well done. Mayor Pro Tem Ridgeway stated that the process will provide the City with information on what the residents want. He stated that the voters have indicated that they want to be involved. He agreed with Mayor Adams that all resources will be utilized. Ms. Linhoff stated that she's leery of studies, based on past experiences. Council Member Glover stated that the support for Measure S only voiced the opinion on traffic, but that the City still needs a vision of what the residents want. Barry Eaton, General Plan Update Committee member, stated that the committee is comfortable with the recommendations of staff. He added that MIG is very well thought of in the planning community. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None. Volume 54 - Page 190 City of Newport Beach Study Session Minutes April 10, 2001 ",��. - 5:50 p.m. The agenda for the Study Session was posted on April 4, 2001, at 3:00 p.m. on the City Hall Bulletin Board located outside of the City of Newport Beach Administration Building. Recording Secretar r .04 r°Z Mayor City Clerk r Volume 54 - Page 191