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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-10-21_BVAC_Minutes_ApprovedCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH BALBOA VILLAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES Zoom Virtual Meeting Wednesday, October 21, 2020 – 4:00 p.m. I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER Chair Dixon called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. Balboa Village Advisory Committee Members: Chair Diane Dixon, Council Member Brad Avery, Council Member (absent) 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 (absent) Staff Members: Seimone Jurjis, Community Development Director Jim Campbell, Deputy Community Development Director Tony Brine, City Traffic Engineer Benjamin Zdeba, Senior Planner II. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS None III. ITEMS FOR REVIEW a. MINUTES OF JULY 15, 2020 Recommended Action: Approve and file MOTION: A motion was made by Committee Member Dove, seconded by Committee Member Carlson, to approve the minutes of the July 15, 2020 meeting as presented. The motion passed unanimously. b. CURRENT STATE OF BALBOA VILLAGE AND THE ROLE OF BVAC 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. City Traffic Engineer Tony Brine reported the wayfinding signage project is complete. The landscape median project along Balboa will remain in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for next year. Senior Planner Ben Zdeba advised that funds have been appropriated in the CIP budget for the trolley program, which has been postponed. Funding for the facade improvement program has been reallocated, and the program no longer exists. In response to Chair Dixon's questions, Senior Planner Zdeba estimated 25 applications for the facade improvement program were approved. City Traffic Engineer Brine indicated funding for the trolley has been carried forward a year due to the pandemic. Deputy Community Development Director Jim Campbell related that staff submitted a Local Coastal Program (LCP) amendment for the Balboa Village Parking Management Overlay District to the Coastal Balboa Village Advisory Committee October 21, 2020 Minutes Page 2 Commission. The Coastal Commission suggested modifications and approved the amendment subject to the City Council adopting the modifications. Staff has prepared an ordinance adopting the modifications and has tentatively scheduled it for Council review on December 8, 2020. Implementing the overlay district will require a coastal development permit. If improvements are needed to implement the parking management program, parking revenues could fund the improvements. Community Development Director Seimone Jurjis noted all projects on the matrix previously presented to the Balboa Village Advisory Committee (BVAC) have been completed. In reply to Committee Member Carlson's comments, Community Development Director Jurjis agreed that the number of visitors has been high for the offseason. Sidewalk and restroom cleaning and trash pickup are maintenance issues. If issues arise after BVAC sunsets, they can be discussed during Town Halls. Chair Dixon asked the Public Works Department to ensure maintenance in Balboa Village continues on the summer schedule. Committee Member Carlson noted the dumpsters at the corner of Bay and Washington have been an issue for ten years and are not getting better. Committee Member D'Aluisio concurred with the need to continue the summer maintenance schedule. There are usually lines outside public restrooms. Trash cans begin to overflow in the late afternoon. Committee Member Dove suggested, if BVAC continues, the scope of its work include advocacy. Committee Member Oakes reported parking continues to be an issue for residents. Community Development Director Jurjis explained that community meetings to discuss issues in Balboa Village can continue without the Brown Act requirements for a BVAC meeting. Deputy Community Development Director Campbell advised that parking revenues will continue to be deposited into the designated fund after BVAC sunsets. The Council determines whether expenditure of those funds is consistent with uses set forth in the Municipal Code. The Council would have to pass an ordinance to dissolve the fund, after which parking revenues would be deposited into the General Fund. Community Development Director Jurjis added that the Council would have to approve the use of parking revenues for capital projects. Funding for routine maintenance is allocated in the budget. In answer to Committee Member D'Aluisio's queries, Deputy Community Development Director Campbell indicated parking revenues can be used for mainly beautification and transportation projects and enhanced maintenance. Community Development Director Jurjis explained that the Boat Parade is a Chamber event. Staff has not discussed crowd control for the Boat Parade, but in his opinion the City does not have sufficient staff to provide crowd control. People will have to manage themselves. The parking lot at Marina Park will be closed for the Boat Parade. Committee Member Carlson proposed a walking tour of Balboa Village to determine issues that need to be discussed at the next meeting. Jim Mosher supported staff's recommendation to allow BVAC to sunset. Chair Dixon advised that a meeting will be scheduled in November with a walking tour scheduled the week before the meeting. IV. ADJOURNMENT The meeting ended at 4:57 p.m. Next meeting Date: TBD