HomeMy WebLinkAbout01 - Minutes - AmendedCity of Newport Beach September 10, 2024
August 27, 2024 Agenda Item No. 1
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; and
b) Approve the City's response to the 2023-2024 Orange County Grand Jury report, "E-Bikes:
Friend or Foe," and authorize the Mayor to submit the letter to the Presiding Judge of the
Superior Court.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tern Stapleton, seconded by Councilmember Blom, to approve the
Consent Calendar, except for the item removed (Item 12); and noting the amendments to Item 1, the
recusal by Councilmember Blom to Item 8, and the amendment to Exhibit C in Item 13.
The motion carried unanimously.
XVI. ITEM REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
12. Professional Services Agreement with EPD Solutions for Environmental Services for the
Proposed Surf Farm Project at 3100 Irvine Avenue (PA21k0069) (C-9713-1)
Councilmember Weigand clarified for the public that the item is for the consultant to complete an
Environmental Impact Report (EIR) analysis on the impacts the project would have on the
community. He stated that the public will have opportunities for input, the project would need to be
heard by the Planning Commission, eventually binsid red by Council, and added that the EIR
will be paid for by the applicant.
At Mayor O'Neill's request, Assistant City Manager Jurjis and Senior Planner Perez discussed the
process and timeframe to approve an application project.
f
Bill Gremaski Grabowski expressed his dissatisfaction with and opposition to the proposed surf park
and asked to not approve the project.
Motion by Councilmember WeigaIdsewconded by Councilmember Avery, 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; and b) authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to
execute a Professional Services Agreement with Environment Planning Development Solutions, Inc.
for EIR Related to Proposed Surf Farm Project in an amount not to exceed $277,630 in a form
substantially similar to the agreement attached to this staff report.
The motion carrie%nanimously.
XVII. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON -AGENDA ITEMS
Adam Leverenz utilized a slide to discuss Burnham USA Equities and suggested there may be a
potential conflict since Councilmember Blom is renting property from a trustee and CEO of one of their
entities. He asked for reconsideration of a previously approved item to create a higher level of trust.
Mayor O'Neill noted that the City Attorney indicated there is no conflict of note.
XVIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS
22.Ordinance No. 2024-18 and Resolution Nos. 2024-62 and 2024-63: Approving the
Residences at 1600 Dove Street Project, and Resolution No. 2024-64: Overriding Orange
County Airport Land Use Commission's Determination of Inconsistency (PA2022-0297)
(C-9225-2)
Mayor O'Neill and Mayor Pro Tem Stapleton recused themselves due to their membership
in the Pacific Club which is in close proximity to the project.
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City of Newport Beach
August 27, 2024
Reimbursing the Cost of Acquisition, Construction, Installation, Equipping and Furnishing of
Educational Facilities and Other Matters Relating Thereto Herein Specified.
The motion carried unanimously.
XIX. CURRENT BUSINESS
24. Homeless Outreach Services Biannual Update (C-8778-2)
Police Chief Cartwright, Deputy Police Chief Aguilar, and City Attorney Harp utilized a
presentation to review homeless data, proposed changes, service review, proposed staffing
enhancements, and reviewed the Be Well OC agreement.
City Manager Leung noted the progress that has occurred over time on this matter, the reduced
Point -in -Time count, and a continued prioritization for further improvement.
Police Chief Cartwright stated that the Quality -of -Life Team consist of four officers who will
only focus on this matter.
Ruth Kobayashi expressed concern for disorder and compromised safety, proposed a more assertive
strategy, shift in resources, increased enforcement, and an increased focus on street exits. She urged
Council to replace the Be Well contract anddonsider the impact of the Orange County
Transportation Authority (OCTA) Transportation V
in the long-term public safety strategy.
Mario Marovic relayed his daily experience with homeless individuals around his businesses, police
department calls, and believed there has been an exponential increase in homelessness in the last
30 days. r
John Palmer, a local business owner, urged Council to address the matter expeditiously. He noted
personal encounters with homeless individuals and weapons.
John Scholtz voiced his support for the Supreme Court's ruling to give cities the authority to enforce
no camping ordinances and suggested partnering with other cities, counties, and nongovernmental
organizations to build a regional center.
Pamela Murray read an email from a frequent guest regarding her experiences with the homeless
population. She noted many similar encounters this year including drug use and that the only thing
that has helped is tl-e police presence.
Pamela Peterson relalFed phone calls she has made to the police, noted uncomfortable experiences
with homeless individuals in Veterans Park over the last couple of days, and expressed her personal
frustration.
Jim Mosher inquired about the ratio of Be Well r- pF s rtati • s calls helping the general Newport
Beach population to the homeless population and asked if if -the ordinance makes it legal to allows
people to sleep on the grass during the day and move at night or if it is prohibited by another law.
An unidentified speaker stated he knows firsthand the daily and nightly problems with the public
restroom next to Marina Park, supported all the previous speakers, and asked the City to continue
addressing the matter.
Adam Leverenz stated he has witnessed a lot of what other speakers have shared, was assaulted in
Costa Mesa by a homeless individual, noted the current enforcement policy and believed that more
laws probably will not have the desired effect, and encouraged Council to keep thinking about more
solutions.
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Jennifer Hoff encouraged Council to take a zero -tolerance approach for any vagrancies, dig into the
core values of programs, get involved with family groups who are advocates, and consider a triage
system.
Mayor O'Neill asked Ms. Hoff to reach out to the Homeless Subcommittee to share her comments.
Tom Porter concurred with the previous speakers and asked Council to come up with solutions to
deal with this problem and do everything possible.
Jamie Woodworth shared his experiences with the homeless population, calls to the police, problems
at 15th Street, and security camera surveillance at his home. He expressed concern for an increase
in the homeless population with nearby cities clearing out homeless individuals and looked to
Council for solutions.
Kate Marovic shared an experience with a homeless individual she witnessed in Corona del Mar
and expressed concern for her safety while being out with her friends and without an adult.
Councilmember Kleiman expressed her appreciation for reducing the Point -in -Time count,
acknowledged City staff for their support, noted the impacts on the City due to the growing homeless
population, relayed that the proposed ordinance restores local authority, supported the municipal
code changes, summarized the homeless population data, relayed the amendments to the Be Well
scope and contract terms in anticipation of a changO in the legal landscape, outlined mental health
tax -funded resources, and stated that she does not support extending the contract with Be Well.
Mayor Pro Tem Stapleton thanked the community for their attendance and comments,
acknowledged the homelessness issues, thought this is a step in the right direction, thanked
everyone involved and their efforts, and fsupported the creation of the Quality -of -Life team,
partnering in a mental health solution, andthis new model. He announced that this matter is a top
priority for the City and the community s voice has been heard.
Councilmember Grant thanked staff for tgif six-month report and the work being done to address
homelessness, expressed disappointment in the county -wide homelessness statistics, noted that
there is not effective leadership for a regional solution, and emphasized the need for an immediate
solution. She supported the police department's efforts, pointed out that the City is being proactive,
noted that some individuals choose to remain on the streets, believed the City needs a paradigm
shift, and noted the continuation of the Bridge Shelter and that all of the City's resources must work
to achieve the established Council policy. She supported the police department and an alternative
policing regiment, allocating resources to -for the new team, focusing on quality of life and street
exits, and beginning i house prosecution. She did not view Be Well as an effective partner and
recommended reallocaing the funds to police department resources.
Councilmember Avery noted this issue is his number one disappointment, the importance of public
input, and the City needs to redouble its efforts and quickly.
Councilmember Blom thanked Councilmember Kleiman for her energy and dedication on the
matter; and expressed support for all of the police department's efforts to keep Newport safe, happy,
and clean.
Mayor O'Neill noted models that do not work, the negative effects on homelessness and crime being
a neighboring community to the County of Los Angeles, and settlement agreements signed by other
cities that limited responsiveness. He stated that Newport Beach joined briefs for Supreme Court
review, was one of the only cities to ask the Supreme Court to review the original Boise case, and
joined the amicus brief out of Grants Pass. He emphasized the importance of maintaining local
control and that tonight's decision is a good step in doing better.
Motion by Councilmember Kleiman, seconded by Mayor O'Neill, 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
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