HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-10-21_Agenda PacketCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
BALBOA VILLAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE AGENDA
Zoom Meeting
Wednesday, October 21, 2020 - 4:00 PM
Balboa Village Advisory Committee Members:
Diane Dixon, Council Member (Chair)
Brad Avery, Council Member
Gloria Oakes, Balboa Peninsula Point Association
Kelly Carlson, Balboa Village Merchants Association
Grace Dove, Central Newport Beach Community Association
Colleen D'Aluisio, OceanQuest Representative
Jim Stratton, At-Large Representative
Staff Members:
Seimone Jurjis, Community Development Director
Dave Webb, Public Works Director
Jim Campbell, Deputy Community Development Director
Tony Brine, City Traffic Engineer
Benjamin Zdeba, Senior Planner
SPECIAL NOTICE REGARDING COVID-19
On March 4, 2020, Governor Newsom proclaimed a State of Emergency in California as a result of the threat of COVID-19.
On March 12, 2020, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-25-20, which allows staff to attend Zoning Administrator
meetings by electronic means. Please be advised that to minimize the spread of COVID-19, the Balboa Village Advisory
Committee may attend this meeting either electronically or telephonically.
Also, please be advised that on March 17, 2020, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-29-20, which allows for the
public to participate in any meeting of the Zoning Administrator telephonically or by other electronic means. Given the
health risks associated with COVID-19, the City of Newport Beach will conduct this meeting via Zoom. As a member of
the public, if you would like to participate in this meeting, you can participate via the following options:
1. You can submit your questions and comments in writing for the Balboa Village Advisory Committee to consider.
Please send them by email to the Community Development Department at CDD@newportbeachca.gov by Wednesday,
October 20, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. to give the Committee time to consider your comments. All emails will be made part of the
record.
2. You can connect with a computer by joining through Zoom. Click the link below to register for the meeting using a
valid email address. You will receive a confirmation email allowing you to join the meeting:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_kKvv02nYQNCIGTPqtd3w_A.
3. You may connect by Telephone/Audio Only by calling: 669-900-9128. The webinar ID is
969 8929 5572#.
4. Attendees must "raise their hand" if they would like to speak during Public Comments. If attending by phone, press
*9.
Please know that it is important for the City to allow public participation at this meeting. While the City does not expect
there to be any changes to the above process for participating in this meeting, if there is a change, the City will post the
information as soon as possible to the City’s website.
The City of Newport Beach thanks you in advance for continuing to take precautions to prevent the spread of the
COVID-19 virus.
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC
The Balboa Village Advisory Committee meeting is subject to the Ralph M. Brown Act. Among other things, the Brown
Act requires that the Balboa Village Advisory Committee agenda be posted at least seventy-two (72) hours in advance of
each regular meeting and that the public be allowed to comment on agenda items before the Committee and items not
on the agenda but are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Balboa Village Advisory Committee. The Chair may 1
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limit public comments to a reasonable amount of time, generally three (3) minutes per person.
The City of Newport Beach’s goal is to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in all respects. If, as an
attendee or a participant at this meeting, you will need special assistance beyond what is normally provided, we will
attempt to accommodate you in every reasonable manner. Please contact Jim Campbell, Deputy Community
Development Director, at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the meeting to inform us of your particular needs and to
determine if accommodation is feasible at (949) 644-3200 or jcampbell@newportbeachca.gov.
NOTICE REGARDING PRESENTATIONS REQUIRING USE OF CITY EQUIPMENT
Any presentation requiring the use of the City of Newport Beach’s equipment must be submitted to the community
Development Department 24 hours prior to the scheduled meeting.
October 21, 2020
Page 2
Balboa Village Advisory Committee Meeting
I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
II PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Public comments are invited on agenda and non-agenda items generally considered to be
within the subject matter jurisdiction of theCommittee. Speakers must limit comments to three
(3) minutes. Before speaking, we invite, but do not require, you to state your name for the
record. The Committee has the discretion to extend or shorten the speakers’ time limit on
agenda or non-agenda items, provided the time limit adjustment is applied equally to all
speakers. As a courtesy, please turn cell phones off or set them in the silent mode.
III. ITEMS FOR REVIEW
MINUTES OF JULY 15, 2020 (ATTACHMENT 1)a.
Recommended Action: Approve and file.
CURRENT STATE OF BALBOA VILLAGE AND THE ROLE OF BVACb.
Recommended Action: Discuss the current state of Balboa Village and the role of
BVAC moving forward given it is to sunset at the end of 2020. Also, receive an
overview of the Capital Improvement Program, as it relates to funding for projects in
the Village.
IV. ADJOURNMENT
Next Meeting Date: TBD
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CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
BALBOA VILLAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
City Council Chambers – 100 Civic Center Drive
Wednesday, July 15, 2020 – 4:00 p.m.
I.CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Chair Dixon called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m.
Balboa Village Advisory Committee Members:
Chair Diane Dixon, Council Member
Brad Avery, Council Member (absent)
Gloria Oakes, Balboa Peninsula Point Association (absent)
Kelly Carlson, Balboa Village Merchants Association (arrived at 4:07 p.m.)
Grace Dove, Central Newport Beach Community Association
Colleen D'Aluisio, OceanQuest Representative
Jim Stratton, At-Large Representative
Staff Members:
Community Development Director Seimone Jurjis
Deputy Community Development Director Jim Campbell
Public Works Director Dave Webb
Tony Brine, City Traffic Engineer
Benjamin Zdeba, Senior Planner
II.PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS
In response to Committee Member Stratton's inquiry about revenues from the Parking Management District,
Deputy Community Development Director Jim Campbell reported the funds allocated to Balboa Village
have been reallocated to reserves, but sufficient funds remain for wayfinding signage. Public Works
Director Dave Webb clarified that all BVAC projects listed in the capital program have been completed,
including wayfinding signage. Any remaining funds have been reallocated to the base fund. Revenues are
deposited into the parking fund, but none of it is programmed. Chair Dixon noted BVAC monies continue
to fund the trolley and sidewalk cleaning.
Committee Members Carlson and Stratton advised that some days sidewalk cleaning is interrupted such
that the Village is not always as clean as it could be.
Jim Mosher remarked that Committee Member Stratton is referring to a Parking Benefit District. When a
previous Parking Benefit District was dissolved, its funds were used for Balboa Village improvements. A
Parking Management District is a planning tool.
III.ITEMS FOR REVIEW
a.MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 19, 2029
Recommended Action: Approve Minutes of February 19, 2020
Jim Mosher suggested the minutes include the Committee Members who are absent as well as present.
At the end of the second paragraph under Item c, "The Corner" should not be capitalized. In the next
paragraph, "View" should be "VUE."
MOTION: A motion was made by Committee Member Stratton, seconded by Committee Member Carlson,
to approve the minutes of the February 19, 2020 meeting as amended. The motion passed unanimously.
BVAC October 21, 2020
Attachment 1
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Balboa Village Advisory Committee
July 15, 2020 Minutes
Page 2
b. CURRENT STATE OF BALBOA VILLAGE
Recommended Action: Discuss what is currently happening in the Village with respect to
business, tourism, maintenance, etc.
Committee Member Carlson reported business during COVID has been up and down. Retail businesses
and restaurants are suffering the most. Businesses involving outdoor activities are financially okay.
Masses of people are visiting the Peninsula because of all the COVID closures and requirements.
Committee Members agreed that overflowing trash cans, litter, fireworks, usage of fire rings, and open
containers in public are the main problems, and enforcement is needed. City staff is working hard, but they
are overwhelmed. Junior Lifeguards are not social distancing or wearing masks.
In answer to Chair Dixon's question, Committee Member Carlson advised that Visit Newport Beach
prepared a plan and budget, but the plan focuses on attracting visitors during September and October.
Community Development Director Seimone Jurjis indicated the City has received $219,000 in Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding in addition to the $250,000 it received earlier. The Council
adopted a program that allocates those funds to the creation and retention of jobs. The program can provide
at least 20 jobs, but there are many restrictions on use of the funds. The City will begin marketing the
program in the next few weeks. Businesses with less than 30 employees can apply for the funding.
Public Works Director Webb stated he is aware of the trash problem, and pick-ups have increased to twice
a day in the Village. The unusual amount of trash is caused by restaurants offering takeout service only.
The flood on July 3rd left a lot of debris in the streets, and staff is still working on it. In addition, Public Works
is short staffed because of COVID. The trolley has been canceled for the year, but the Orange County
Transportation Authority (OCTA) allowed the City to carry the grant funding forward a year. The trolley is
budgeted for next year.
c. FUTURE VISION FOR BALBOA VILLAGE
Recommended Action: Discuss how the Village may adapt to the current state and what
the priorities for its rebounding should be moving forward
At Chair Dixon's request, Senior Planner Ben Zdeba reported the facade program has ended even though
there were some pending applications. Approximately 30 businesses received funding, but there was not
much interest in the program until the pandemic hit. Public Works Director Webb added that the median
landscape project remains in the capital program and is funded in 2021.
Committee Members and Deputy Community Development Director Campbell discussed cleaning up the
area around the City parking lot, public restrooms and dumpsters.
Chair Dixon proposed converting Main Street to a pedestrian walkway. Deputy Community Development
Director Campbell indicated staff has considered closing Main Street but altering traffic circulation would
be a real challenge.
Committee Member Dove noted no restaurants offer quality food and service at a walk-up window. Many
people want good food quickly without going inside a building.
Committee Members and Senior Planner Zdeba discussed the Balboa Theatre project, the mixed-use
project at the corner of Main Street, the project at 500 East Balboa Boulevard, the Junior Lifeguard
Headquarters, and the project at OceanQuest.
Committee Member Dove suggested the City encourage investment by making things as easy as possible.
Perhaps one staff person with knowledge of City operations could act as the contact person for Village
property and business owners.
BVAC October 21, 2020
Attachment 1
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Balboa Village Advisory Committee
July 15, 2020 Minutes
Page 3
Committee Member D'Aluisio noted the empty buildings contribute to Balboa Village's lack of vibrancy.
Committee Member Carlson believed investment in quality businesses would help the Village.
Community Development Director Jurjis reported Santa Barbara and Catalina have tapped the cruise
industry to boost their economies during their off-seasons. A cruise line is interested in a trial. In reply to
Chair Dixon's question, he indicated a cruise ship would have to anchor 3-5 miles offshore.
Committee Member Carlson believed merchants would probably support a proposal, but residents would
not.
Committee Member Stratton felt it could work if Newport Beach is a port of call rather than a point of
embarkation.
Jim Mosher indicated cruise ships may not be able to anchor offshore because of an underwater canyon.
d. ROLE OF BVAC MOVING FORWARD
Recommended Action: Discuss how BVAC first into the future vision and consider (a) how
might the role of BVAC change; and (b) what is purpose; and (c) if none, should BVAC
consider sunsetting.
Committee Members Stratton and Dove related that BVAC has accomplished good things in the Village,
but it should probably sunset.
Committee Members D'Aluisio and Carlson wanted BVAC to continue because it advocated for the Village
with the Council.
Chair Dixon proposed scheduling a visioning session with Visit Newport Beach in September.
Deputy Community Development Director Campbell reported Coastal Commission staff has suggested
modifications to the proposed ordinance amending parking requirements. Based on a preliminary review,
he did not believe the modifications would achieve the community's desired results.
Jim Mosher commented that many of the problems discussed are not unique to Balboa Village. Other
areas of the City have public parking, but revenue from the parking is not dedicated to improvements in
those areas. He hoped the City Council would want input from all areas and focus on citywide solutions to
these problems that affect the whole City. A disproportionate amount of City resources is being expended
for the small area of Balboa Village.
Chair Dixon remarked that Balboa Village is the oldest part of Newport Beach, and the problems are
impacting economic activity in the Village.
IV. ADJOURNMENT
Next meeting Date: TBD
The meeting ended at 5:35 p.m.
BVAC October 21, 2020
Attachment 1
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