HomeMy WebLinkAbout17 - Eliminating the Balboa Village Area Benefit District - CorrespondenceReceived After Agenda Printed
May 25, 2021
Item No. 17
Mulvey, Jennifer
From: Rieff, Kim
Sent: Monday, May 24, 20212:00 PM
To: Mulvey, Jennifer
Subject: FW: Balboa Village Benefit District
From: gron s <gronsims@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, May 24, 20211:55 PM
To: Dept - City Council <CityCouncil@newportbeachca.gov>
Subject: Balboa Village Benefit District
[EXTERNAL EMAIL] DO NOT CLICK links or attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear City Council Leaders,
My family have been property owners in the Balboa Village area since 1943 and look upon it as one of the uniquely
special places in all of Newport Beach. The beaches, the bay, the Balboa Pier, the Balboa Ferry, the quaint shopping area
(and in years gone by, the Fun Zone) have attracted visitors from throughout the world.
However, as much as visitors and residents have enjoyed our area, people always comment on how poorly the Village
area is maintained. Dirty sidewalks and bathrooms, overflowing trash cans, debris in the streets, animal waste that must
be avoided..... all of these issues make visitors reconsider whether they will return and also have residents wondering
what can be done to improve these conditions near their homes. A more organized and consistent program for
neighborhood cleanliness would be a start. More regular sidewalk washing and bathroom cleaning and better trash
collection would be a great help. Of course this requires funding.
I understand the City is considering eliminating the Balboa Village Benefit District and returning the funds from Balboa
Village parking to the General Fund. Please keep those funds in the Balboa Village account and commit some to
improved maintenance. Visitors, merchants and residents will all benefit from better care of the area.
Regards,
Gary Sims
Received After Agenda Printed
May 25, 2021
Item No. 17
Mulvey, Jennifer
From: City Clerk's Office
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2021 1:33 PM
To: Mulvey, Jennifer; Rieff, Kim
Subject: FW: Agenda 5/25/21, Item 17, Balboa Village
From: Grace Dove <doveperch@sbcgloba1.net>
Sent: Monday, May 24, 20211:32:53 PM (UTC -08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
To: Dept - City Council
Cc: City Clerk's Office
Subject: Agenda 5/25/21, Item 17, Balboa Village
[EXTERNAL EMAIL] DO NOT CLICK links or attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Members of the City Council:
This is to encourage a commitment to on-going special attention to Balboa Village.
I was a member of BVAC. Many years of citizen and staff time as well as public investment were spent to improving this
area. Balboa Village will continue to need extraordinary attention to maintenance of it's public areas including
cleanliness and prompt trash removal. The Balboa trolley has been a major benefit to the area as well as to overall
parking and circulation on the Peninsula.
There has been criticism of so much attention being paid to Balboa Village. This area was key to creation of the City
when the Red Cars arrived. It has been and continues to be a substantial generator of tourist revenue for over 100 years.
The Pavilion is the iconic building of the City. If you are in Balboa Village you can hear a variety of accents and languages
from all over the USA and the world. While many tourists stay in hotels "on the other of PCH" many still want to see a
California beach town and spend time on the Peninsula and remember it for better or worse. It should be a fond
memory. Pixar Pier at Disney's California Adventure, which is meticulously maintained, emulates an ideal of such a place
but we have an original.
Please do not forget Balboa Village. An area of it's age and popularity can deteriorate quickly. Attention is in the best
interest of local residents, businesses, visitors and the reputation of the City.
Thank you, Grace Dove
Sent from my iPhone
Received After Agenda Printed
May 25, 2021
Item No. 17
Mulvey, Jennifer
From: Rieff, Kim
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2021 12:41 PM
To: Mulvey, Jennifer
Subject: FW: Balboa Village Benefit District
-----Original Message -----
From: james stratton <jaimest@mac.com>
Sent: Monday, May 24, 202112:41 PM
To: Dept - City Council <CityCouncil@newportbeachca.gov>
Subject: Balboa Village Benefit District
[EXTERNAL EMAIL] DO NOT CLICK links or attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear Council -members:
My name is Jim Stratton. My wife and I have been residents on the Balboa peninsula for 20 years. I have been involved
with the Balboa Advisory Committee for ten years until it was sunsetted in December, 2020.
Ten years ago the Balboa Village was dying. The sidewalks were filthy. Trash overflowing. Storefronts were in shambles.
People did not come to the Village. They passed through for something else.
During my time on the committee, I have seen the Balboa Village get a name, get cleaned up, have storefronts
modernized and improved. Powerwashing the boardwalk and sidewalks that occurred once or twice a month now are
done on a timely basis making the area a pleasure to walk through. There is new signage that is readable. The confusing
and difficult to decipher parking directions have been cleared up along with placing pedestrian information kiosks in
various key locations. Businesses have flourished for the most part. An overhead marquee has been placed
establishing the Village as a real entity. And, thanks to Ocean Quest, the area still maintained part of its historical
identity as a "fun zone". The Balboa Trolley that has been active during the summer months has been supported in part
by the Balboa Village. The trolley benefits the entire peninsula and helps reduce traffic congestion while allowing riders
to take in all the sights including the Village without having to find a local parking place.
All of the above has been a consequence of a few people along with the help of the some council members taking an
interest in a languishing part of Newport Beach. Today the Balboa Village can take its place once again as a respected
part of Newport Beach, bringing quality, entertainment and family fun. This is good for all of Newport Beach.
Unfortunately, in government, money equals power and priority. If the Benefit District is dismantled, I am afraid that
the Village will once again be relegated to the easy to overlook and neglected step sister and she will again languish.
There must be some way to keep this little jewel along with its historical significance (the Pavilion, the Fun Zone, the
Ferry landing, the Balboa Pier) from falling once again into disrepair.
Sincerely,
Jim Stratton
714 756-0535
Received After Agenda Printed
May 25, 2021
Item No. 17
Mulvey, Jennifer
From: Rieff, Kim
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2021 12:41 PM
To: Mulvey, Jennifer
Subject: FW: Balboa Village Benefit District
-----Original Message -----
From: james stratton <jaimest@mac.com>
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2021 12:41 PM
To: Dept - City Council <CityCouncil@newportbeachca.gov>
Subject: Balboa Village Benefit District
[EXTERNAL EMAIL] DO NOT CLICK links or attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear Council -members:
My name is Jim Stratton. My wife and I have been residents on the Balboa peninsula for 20 years. I have been involved
with the Balboa Advisory Committee for ten years until it was sunsetted in December, 2020.
Ten years ago the Balboa Village was dying. The sidewalks were filthy. Trash overflowing. Storefronts were in shambles.
People did not come to the Village. They passed through for something else.
During my time on the committee, I have seen the Balboa Village get a name, get cleaned up, have storefronts
modernized and improved. Powerwashing the boardwalk and sidewalks that occurred once or twice a month now are
done on a timely basis making the area a pleasure to walk through. There is new signage that is readable. The confusing
and difficult to decipher parking directions have been cleared up along with placing pedestrian information kiosks in
various key locations. Businesses have flourished for the most part. An overhead marquee has been placed
establishing the Village as a real entity. And, thanks to Ocean Quest, the area still maintained part of its historical
identity as a "fun zone". The Balboa Trolley that has been active during the summer months has been supported in part
by the Balboa Village. The trolley benefits the entire peninsula and helps reduce traffic congestion while allowing riders
to take in all the sights including the Village without having to find a local parking place.
All of the above has been a consequence of a few people along with the help of the some council members taking an
interest in a languishing part of Newport Beach. Today the Balboa Village can take its place once again as a respected
part of Newport Beach, bringing quality, entertainment and family fun. This is good for all of Newport Beach.
Unfortunately, in government, money equals power and priority. If the Benefit District is dismantled, I am afraid that
the Village will once again be relegated to the easy to overlook and neglected step sister and she will again languish.
There must be some way to keep this little jewel along with its historical significance (the Pavilion, the Fun Zone, the
Ferry landing, the Balboa Pier) from falling once again into disrepair.
Sincerely,
Jim Stratton
714 756-0535
Received After Agenda Printed
May 25, 2021
Item No. 17
Mulvey, Jennifer
Subject: EW: Ordinance 2021 -12 -Eliminating the Balboa Area Benefit District
From: Michele O'Brien<michele.g.obrien(a>outlook.com>
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2021 1:00:49 PM (UTC -08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
To: City Clerk's Office <CityClerk@newportbeachca.gov_>
Subject: Re: Ordinance 2021 -12 -Eliminating the Balboa Area Benefit District
Oh not sure how to resend in different format
Just checked and sent pictures to /email to my husband and he can open pictures
From: City Clerk's Office <CityClerl<@newportbeachca.gov>
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2021 10:53:48 AM
To: 'Michele O'Brien' <michele.g.obrie n@outlook.com>
Subject: RE: Ordinance 2021 -12 -Eliminating the Balboa Area Benefit District
Hello,
We received your comments, but are unable to open the attached files. If you could send the pictures in a different
format, we can attach them to your email for council consideration.
Thank you
From: Michele O'Brien <michele.g.obrien@outlook.com>
Sent: Sunday, May 23, 202112:28 PM
To: Dept - City Council<CityCouncil@newportbeachca.gov>; City Clerk's Office <CityClerk@newportbeachca.gov>
Subject: Ordinance 2021 -12 -Eliminating the Balboa Area Benefit District
City Leaders,
Please do not eliminate the Balboa Village Benefit District. My husband and I have owned a home on the Peninsula for
over 20 years. We hear constant complaints and general comments from friends, family and strangers on how the
Balboa Village is dirty, unkempt and does not live up to the beautiful Bay and Beach that surrounds it. Visitors are so
disappointed that it's historic charm has diminished.
My belief is if it were better maintained, there would be more people wanting to stay, dine and enjoy and ultimately
more revenues for the City. It breaks my heart that such a crown jewel of a location can be so badly maintained. The
streets, bathrooms, sidewalks and greenery are shabby to say the least.
I have attached some photos of areas that are constantly unkept . The palm trees around the village seem to all be
dying.
Please reconsider eliminating funding for Balboa Village area.
Regards,
Michele O'Brien
Received After Agenda Printed
May 25, 2021
Item No. 17
Mulvey, Jennifer
From: City Clerk's Office
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2021 1:08 PM
To: Mulvey, Jennifer; Rieff, Kim
Subject: FW: Balboa Village
Attachments: 20210523_182041450_iOS.heic; 20210523_ 182027336_iOS.heic; 20210523_181932308
_iOS.heic; 20210523_ 181650270_iOS.heic; 20210523_181602496_iOS.heic; 20210523_
181314621 iOS.heic
From: Michele O'Brien < michele.g.obrien@outlook.com >
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2021 1:07:20 PM (UTC -08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
To: City Clerk's Office <CityClerk@newportbeachca.gov>
Subject: Fwd: Balboa Village
[EXTERNAL EMAIL] DO NOT CLICK links or attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Get Outlook for iOS
From: Michele O'Brien <michele.g.obrien@outlook.com>
Sent: Monday, May 24, 202112:56:34 PM
To: Michael O'Brien <mike.obriennpb@gmail.com>
Subject: Fwd: Balboa Village
Get Outlook for iOS
From: Michele O'Brien
Sent: Sunday, May 23, 202111:55:09 AM
To: Michele O'Brien <michele.g.obrien@outlook.com>
Subject: Balboa Village
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
Received After Agenda Printed
May 25, 2021
Item No. 17
Mulvey, Jennifer
From: MIKE GROFF <groffmanl@aol.com>
Sent: Sunday, May 23, 20219:25 PM
To: Dept - City Council; City Clerk's Office
Subject: Ordinance 2021-12 Balboa Area Benefit District
Categories: Jenn
[EXTERNAL EMAIL] DO NOT CLICK links or attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear City Council, I am out of town but was just informed about an imminent vote on a proposal to move the funds
from the Balboa Village Area Benefit District to the NB General Fund. While I do not claim to understand the specifics of
the charter of this Benefit District, I do believe I understand that the funding of this budget comes from the parking
meters and certain parking lots adjacent to Balboa Village. These funds have been needed and used for many
enhancements and maintenance around the village and the obvious risk here is that if it moves to the General Fund then
the spending of these funds is likely to move to other areas of the city that have nothing to do with Balboa Village and,
in the future, others (who dont live near Balboa Village) will argue that they are more necessary elsewhere.
My wife and I are homeowners on Alvarado just blocks from the village and have lived here for over 18 years. Crime
related issues, visitors from out of the area who enjoy our beautiful beach but leave their trash behind, parking
problems, crosswalk safety issues, increased usage of electric bikes and many other things have clearly deteriorated the
quality of the area around Balboa Village. And I dont even want to get started on the airplane noise which is now back
due to increased flights!!!!
Let us regroup and work together to help determine how this money can be better spent to help improve the Village
which will help the local businesses and ultimately help the city with more tax revenue.
Please do NOT reallocate these funds to the NB General Budget and then make us beg to get funding back for the many
needs we have and for taking care of the Balboa Village area now and in the future.
Thank you, Mike and Mary Kay Groff
Received After Agenda Printed
May 25, 2021
Item No. 17
From: City Clerk"s Office
To: Mulvey. Jennifer; Rieff. Kim
Subject: FW: Eliminating the Balboa Village Area Benefit District
Date: Monday, May 24, 20214:57:24 PM
From: Kelly Carlson <kelly@balboawatersports.com>
Sent: Monday, May 24, 20214:57:12 PM (UTC -08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
To: Dept - City Council <CityCouncil@newportbeachca.gov>; City Clerk's Office
<CityClerk@newportbeachca.gov>
Subject: Eliminating the Balboa Village Area Benefit District
[EXTERNAL EMAIL] DO NOT CLICK links or attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the
content is safe.
Hello Council Members -
I am writing in regards to the Staff Report about eliminating the Balboa Village Benefit District. I
went to the Balboa Village Master Plan that the staff report states is "now complete" to review what
had been outlined. A lot stuck out to me as not complete, though to be fair there are some parts
that were never completed because they had no community support and were probably misguided
goals from the beginning.
The part that really jumped out at me though was the Brand Vision Statement identified back in
2012 (almost a decade ago) "as the guide post for all future policy decisions, programs and activities
of the City..." I have copied it here for your review.
Brand Vision Statement - 2020
Balboa Village Fun Zone is a unique piece of the heart and soul of Newport Beach, and is an inviting,
family -friendly entertainment, shopping and dining district. Recognized as Newport Beach's original
town site, the revitalized neighborhood is anchored by a complementary mix of large and small scale
attractions, including the dynamic new ExplorOcean interactive center, the restored Balboa
Performing Arts Theater and event center, and the renovated iconic Pavilion. The expanded Fun
Zone is a quaint and engaging environment that offers an array of harbor and beachfront activities
for many age groups, and is a celebration of the classic Southern California beach life that is
contemporary in personality yet steeped in tradition.
When reviewing this goal post of the master plan I quickly arrived at some big questions.
• Are we family -friendly? Do we provide a shopping and dining district? Kind of I guess.
• Do we have any sort of anchors to the area?
o ExplorOcean never happened. The building has just gone under contract with a new
owner that I and I know many are very optimistic about, but there is A LOT of work to
be done on that property and it seems overly optimistic to put the success of the entire
area on one property owner
o The Balboa Theater has made no progress since then.
o The Pavilion is currently the only anchor, which has really had no change. It is a great
anchor as it always has been.
o The Fun Zone is not expanded and probably less than it was as we lost an arcade since
then.
• We do offer an array of harbor and beachfront activities, probably the real anchor of the
neighborhood.
• Is Balboa Village an area that the City of Newport Beach is proud of?
The BVAC did sunset. My position was there was still more to be done, but was out voted. Items
from the Implementation Matrix that could have been further addressed include:
• "Targeted Tenant Attraction Program" —This was labeled as "ongoing effort" — Really I do not
think anything was ever done. I do not claim to know how something like this would even
work on the city level, but do think some research could be done.
• "Support new cultural facilities" - This was labeled as "ongoing effort" — As noted above we
do not have anything like this actively happening.
• "Develop special events initiative" — Labeled as "Complete Implemented by the Balboa Village
Merchant Association" — I assure you I know nothing of this as the president.
• "Allocate additional funding to the Balboa Village Bid" — Labeled as "complete" — BVMA has
never received any funding from BVAC as it came from general fund and now receives
nothing.
• "Assume maintenance of boardwalk area" — "Ongoing Effort" — How will this remain ongoing
in the future if the benefits district is eliminated? This is not exactly addressed in the staff
report.
In conclusion I think saying the master plan is "complete" is probably a gross overstatement.
Thank you,
Kelly Carlson
Balboa Village Merchant Association President
Balboa Peninsula Homeowner
Owner of Balboa Water Sports
Owner of Balboa Beach & Bicycle Boutique
Received After Agenda Printed
May 25, 2021
Item No. 17
Mulvey, Jennifer
From: City Clerk's Office
Sent: Tuesday, May 25, 20219:13 AM
To: Mulvey, Jennifer; Rieff, Kim
Subject: FW: Ordinance 2021-12 Balboa Area Benefit District
From: MIKE GROFF <groffmanl@aol.com>
Sent: Tuesday, May 25, 2021 9:12:18 AM (UTC -08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
To: Dept - City Council <CityCouncil@newportbeachca.gov>; City Clerk's Office <CityClerk@newportbeachca.gov>
Subject: Ordinance 2021-12 Balboa Area Benefit District
[EXTERNAL EMAIL] DO NOT CLICK links or attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear Council Members, two days ago I wrote a simple request outlining why I thought the 2014 City Councils decision to
establish a benefit district for Balboa Village was a good one and should remain in place and even suggested improved
governance if needed. While only one Council member has responded to me, the answer I received was that there is no
room for ANY special restricted funds. I read the 2014 charter, read the May 2021 Staff report as well as the City's five
year capital budget proposal to better educate myself and I'm sure you can correct me if my facts are wrong.
While the Balboa Benefit District has been characterized as spending "millions of dollars", the staff report indicates the
actual total to date is $1,070,000 ($178K per year) over the six years of its existence, tiny compared to the City's total
spend. The remaining funds will go for median improvements which run from 12th St to Medina which is not even
physically in the Balboa Village district implying it is for the benefit of the broader peninsula residents and visitors not
just Balboa Village. The balance goes to support the Trolley service in summer (the bulk of which is paid for by OCTA
which means OCTA thinks its a good service).
While I'm confident that the Council consistently does the best it can to support the "whole", the capital budget plan
includes many items that are not just about "infrastructure drainage" or "roadway improvements". Multi-million dollar
investments for new or remodeled Fire Stations, a Junior Lifeguard building, a new "Lecture Hall" and a surprising $1
million for pickle ball courts for a privately owned park in Newport Coast are not as clear that they mandatory and serve
the "whole" in my opinion. My point is that to consider the care and maintenance of the historic Balboa Village simply
"parochial politics" is sad and disappointing.
I remain hopeful that the broader City Council will reconsider its support for the Balboa Village Benefit District funding
plan.
Thank you for reading and considering.
Mike Groff
18+ year NB homeowner, tax payer, voter
Begin forwarded message:
From: "O'Neill, William" <woneill@newportbeachca.gov>
Date: May 23, 2021 at 10:26:46 PM PDT
To: MIKE GROFF <groffmanl@aol.com>
Subject: Re: Ordinance 2021-12 Balboa Area Benefit District
Mike,
We have parking meters all around the city that generate over $8mm/year. We have property taxes
that generate over $100mm/year. We have sales taxes generating over $35mm/year. None of which,
outside of this one fund, is restricted to the areas where they are generated. For good reason. We're a
city and we represent all areas. And we need to approach our general fund like as a whole rather than
engage in parochial politics.
Will O'Neill
Newport Beach City Council
Visit www.newportbeachca.gov/covid19 to see our City's response to the coronavirus pandemic. Please
sign up for City updates.
On May 23, 2021, at 10:18 PM, MIKE GROFF <groffmanl@aol.com> wrote:
[EXTERNAL EMAIL] DO NOT CLICK links or attachments unless you recognize the sender and
know the content is safe.
Councilman O'Neill,
I appreciate the prompt response but respectfully disagree. It absolutely is a risk to
those who live near the Village. A risk that available funds will leave our area. And the
revenue is coming from parking meters/lots in this specific area not somewhere else in
the city, isn't that correct? So, it's fair that our area generates the revenue and it gets
spent elsewhere in the city even though we, the local residents, deal with the traffic,
trash and other problems these visitors who park here bring?
I didn't care for the Village sign either so let's improve the governance over this budget
if that's what's needed but the needs of Balboa Village area will NEVER compete with
the examples you stated and as a result they will drop to the bottom of the budget
approval list every time! I ran a major corporation and we saw this same problem all
the time but we still made sure the less significant areas of our business got allocated
budget and a fair shake through stronger governance. If BV can't justify the specific
spending each year then have a mechanism to rollover remaining dollars to the General
Fund.
If that budget goes back to the General Fund, we will never see sufficient funding to
take care of the Village as it will never be deemed important enough.
Respectfully, Mike Groff
Sent from my iPhone
On May 23, 2021, at 9:33 PM, O'Neill, William
<woneill@newportbeachca.gov> wrote:
"the obvious risk here is that if it moves to the General Fund then the
spending of these funds is likely to move to other areas of the city that
have nothing to do with Balboa Village and, in the future, others (who
dont live near Balboa Village) will argue that they are more necessary
elsewhere."
That's not considered a risk, it's considered normal budget planning that
goes on in every part of the city except this one. If the needs are
greater there than other areas, then it's up to the council annually to
make that call. But carving this out so that the debate over a $260k sign
(or the other millions already spent) isn't properly compared to
infrastructure drainage needs on Balboa Island or roadway
improvements in CdM, etc., is bad fiscal policy.
Will O'Neill
Newport Beach City Council
Visit www.newportbeachca.gov/covid19 to see our City's response to
the coronavirus pandemic. Please sign up for City updates.
On May 23, 2021, at 9:25 PM, MIKE GROFF
<groffmanl@aol.com> wrote:
[EXTERNAL EMAIL] DO NOT CLICK links or attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content
is safe.
Dear City Council, I am out of town but was just
informed about an imminent vote on a proposal to
move the funds from the Balboa Village Area Benefit
District to the NB General Fund. While I do not claim to
understand the specifics of the charter of this Benefit
District, I do believe I understand that the funding of
this budget comes from the parking meters and certain
parking lots adjacent to Balboa Village. These funds
have been needed and used for many enhancements
and maintenance around the village and the obvious
risk here is that if it moves to the General Fund then the
spending of these funds is likely to move to other areas
of the city that have nothing to do with Balboa Village
and, in the future, others (who dont live near Balboa
Village) will argue that they are more necessary
elsewhere.
My wife and I are homeowners on Alvarado just blocks
from the village and have lived here for over 18
years. Crime related issues, visitors from out of the
area who enjoy our beautiful beach but leave their trash
behind, parking problems, crosswalk safety issues,
increased usage of electric bikes and many other things
have clearly deteriorated the quality of the area around
Balboa Village. And I dont even want to get started on
the airplane noise which is now back due to increased
flights!!!!
Let us regroup and work together to help determine
how this money can be better spent to help improve
the Village which will help the local businesses and
ultimately help the city with more tax revenue.
Please do NOT reallocate these funds to the NB General
Budget and then make us beg to get funding back for
the many needs we have and for taking care of the
Balboa Village area now and in the future.
Thank you, Mike and Mary Kay Groff