HomeMy WebLinkAbout01 - Minutes - AmendedCity of Newport Beach
Study Session and Regular Meeting
January 12, 2021
January 26, 2021
Agenda Item No. 1
Mayor Avery reported that Council discussed traffic calming during the Study Session and received
input from many residents.
Anne Ventura noted transient vehicles drive recklessly through the neighborhood with no regard
for children and animals, asked Council to consider speed cushions and testing a smart signal at
Highland Drive and Irvine Avenue, and indicated that people avoid the traffic signal by using
Commodore Road.
Tiffany advised that her family noticed the number of speeding vehicles shortly after moving into
the neighborhood and that speeding is not safe for anyone.
Noelle Perrin perceived that'��"�---�a traffic safety measures wouldi44 never pass, but neighbors will
not give up, and pleaded with Council to make changes.
Murphy McCann believed the streets in Dover Shores are designed for cars to speed, the design
contributes to the problem, believed the people opposing speed ctAbions are the ones speeding, noted
that sports cars and speed bumps get along just fine in Aftald Bay, and stated that the
homeowners where speed cushions will be installed support the project.
Derek Landry indicated the 70% requirement in the policy for support its a guideline, 60% support
during a pandemic is good, and this situation does of need to continue for another 10 or 20 years.
Lisa Ackley concurred with prior comments, ad I hL many neighbors support using speed
cushions, and believed there was no reason to dela
Craig Perreault remarked that he has seen mng cars and close calls, Highland Drive is
unique in the neighborhood because of thedew ge of drivers traveling at an extreme rate of
speed there is a need for roadways to be adJ g
us d neighbors hbors want this solution because it will
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make the neighborhood safer. qd
Jason Ward supported the project and enc raged Council to amend City Council Policy L-26.
Charles Klobe believed that Mr. Brine's outreach has adhered to Council Policy, believed the position
of a majority of res is should prevail, and suggested that the addition of stop signs may be a low-
cost way to slow t
Jim Castova recallosition to speed bumps on 16th Street, low percentages of support,
gradual elimination oise, and eventual support for speed bumps.
Mayor Pro Tem Muldoon supported the overall project, particularly striping, medians at
entranceways, and speed cushions on Santiago Drive, Commodore Road, Dover Drive, and Highland
Drive, but cushions on Tradewinds Lane, Mariners Drive, and Polaris Drive can wait until outcomes
are known. He indicated no preference for either asphalt or rubber speed cushions.
Motion by Mavor Pro Tem Muldoon, seconded by Council Member Duffield, to a) determine
this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections
15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because this action will not result in a physical
change to the environment, directly or indirectly; b) receive and file the Mariners and Dover Shores
Neighborhood Traffic Calming Study; c) waive the City Council Policy L-26 requirement for seventy
(70) percent community support, and direct staff to implement and install the improvements
outlined in the Mariners and Dover Shores Neighborhood Traffic Calming Study, as amended by
the City Council; and d) direct staff to advertise the project, and appropriate the necessary funds at
the time of contract award.
Council Member41� O'Neill stated neighbors were clearly frustrated with those who refuse to
sign the petition, Council wishes people would follow the law, Council has to be careful with its
language in order not to offer false hope, the goal is to avoid rhetoric, the data warrants some action,
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City of Newport Beach
Study Session and Regular Meeting
January 12, 2021
and he would waive City Council Policy L-26 and support traffic calming measures, except speed
cushions.
Council Member Blom agreed with waiving City Council Policy L-26, clarified that speed cushions
have permanent and temporary options, approving speed cushions sends a message that Council
cares about residents' concerns, speed cushions should be placed at the entrance at Mariners Drive,
and rubber speed cushions provide more flexibility.
Council Member Dixon supported the motion. In response to her question, Mayor Pro Tem Muldoon
clarified that the motion exempts Tradewinds Lane, Mariners Drive, and Polaris Drive because they
do not meet the threshold for support. Council Member Dixon expressed support for including
Tradewinds Lane. Traffic Engineer Brine noted that speed cushions are not proposed for
Tradewinds Lane, only edgeline striping.
In response to Council Member questions, Traffic Engineer Brine indicated speed cushions on Tustin
Avenue are not showing signs of wear after 7 years, the rubber cushions can be removed and stored,
placing speed bumps on Santiago Drive but not Highland Drive will cause traffic to shift to Highland
Drive, speed bumps should be placed on parallel streets to prevent a shift in traffic, recommended
the proposed plan because it targets the key streets in the neighborhood and addresses parallel
streets, and stated that staff will conduct before and after studies to determine the impacts of the
traffic calming measures. -0
Council Member Blom requested an amendment to%a0�cus!on at Mariners Drive because
it is the corridor into Dover Shores.
Mayor Pro Tem Muldoon and Council WermlfrFeld accepted the amendment to add
Mariners Drive.
Council Member Duffield advised that community has huge speedbumps but no complaints from
residents due to them being a safety easure.
In response to Council Member Dixon's question, Mayor Pro Tem Muldoon indicated the only change
to the study is the omission of speed cushions from Polaris Drive.
Council Member O'Neill questioned the need for City Council Policy L-26, stated that Council is
trying to reduce speeding a wing under the influence, but believed Council is not following its
own policy, and d sagreed the present process4.
Council Member Dixbelieved COVID-19 has been a constraint to obtaining 70% support, the
policy is clear and has een followed, the key deciding factor is the speed study, City Council Policy
L-26 has never been modified, and Council may need to look at it. She proposed an amendment to
look at this policy.
Council Member O'Neill inquired regarding the standards for removal of speed cushions, clarified
that City Council Policy L-26 has been modified a few times, but the support percentage has not
been modified, and believed that none of the recommended traffic calming measures could have
prevented one of the fatalities or stop someone from drinking and driving.
Traffic Engineer Brine explained the reasons for developing City Council Policy L-26 in 2006 and
stated that, if Council wishes, staff can review provisions within City Council Policy L-26.
With Council Member O'Neill voting "no," the motion carried 6-1.
15. Resolution No. 2021-5: City Council Policy G -Series (City Trees) Revisions [100-2021]
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City of Newport Beach
Study Session and Regular Meeting
January 12, 2021
Deputy Public Works Director Martin reported that, in 2019, the Parks, Beaches and Recreation
(PB&R) Commission formed an ad hoc committee to address specific issues in City Council Policy
G.
Council Member O'Neill noted a typographical error on page 15-65, acknowledged a section on page
15-67, highlighted the language that states a homeowners association is not limited by geography
while private property owners are, and clarified that the 500 -foot radius should apply to
homeowners association and private property owners.
Council Member Dixon requested language regarding Level III testing for Special Trees be changed
from "may' to "shall." In response to her questions, Trees Superintendent Pekar advised that 1, 300
Special Trees are located in the City, and approximately 18 Special Trees were removed in 2020.
He utilized a presentation to discuss Level III testing considerations, due process for tree removal,
timing, repeated testing, cost, 2020 Level III assessments, gray areas in testing, the results of
testing Marine Avenue trees, and the timeframe for receiving test results. Deputy Public Works
Director Martin added that the PB&R Commission's purview includes oversight of all Special Trees,
the PB&R Commission will ensure the testing process is followed, and requiring testing of all Special
Trees will be more hindrance than help. He stated that the PB&R Commission approved the
removal of the Marine Avenue trees and because of the process, Level IILtesting was recommended.
Council Member Brenner indicated a fungus is de ying0he Maverite Date Palms and believed
testing them would be a waste of money, which isshe is uncomfortable with "shall."
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Council Member Blom noted the original debate is bein repeated, a solution has been presented
that keeps the policy in place with a fewmodif t eved that developers should pay for the
cost of testing if they propose a tree removems to oppose a language change that may
satisfy more community members.
In response to Mayor Avery's questions, WsTuperintendent Pekar related that the City's urban
forest is gaining with more than 35,000 fffs, the Marine Avenue trees are extra special, but the
policy will apply to all trees. Mayor Ave elieved trees are underrated in most communities and
flying in an expert from Canada speaks to the community's value of trees.
Council Member Bren%k� emphasiz d that the Ensign Intermediate School trees were on School
District property, Council Members did everything they could to save the trees, the issue was
emotional because the community loves its trees, and Council had no part in the decision.
Council Member O'Neill suggested designating the Marine Avenue trees as Landmark Trees and
requiring testing of Landmark Trees will probably take care of the concerns. Trees Superintendent
Pekar indicated the use of "shall" will still leave confusion for staff to sort out. Council Member
O'Neill suspected a requirement for testing a particular kind of tree would lead staff to consider that
designation extra special and to pay more attention to trees with that designation.
In response to Council Member Brenner's question, Council Member O'Neill read the list of
Landmark Trees. Council Member Brenner noted the Marine Avenue trees are distinctive and could
be in a class by themselves.
Council Member Dixon agreed with the proposal to create a new classification and expressed
confidence in staff making that judgment. Deputy Public Works Director Martin indicated Marine
Avenue trees can be designated Landmark Trees, staff will ensure Level III testing applies to
Landmark Trees, and the PB&R Commission process will remain.
City Attorney Harp proposed staff return to Council with the final language, which will include
mandatory Level III testing for Landmark Trees, designation of Marine Avenue trees as Landmark
Trees, and proposed changes in the presentation.
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