HomeMy WebLinkAbout09 - P, B & R Recommendations for Ocean Boulevard Vision Plan and The Great Rescue of 1925 Plaque - AmendedQ SEW Pp�T
CITY OF
z NEWPORT BEACH
c�<,FORN'P City Council Staff Report
May 27, 2025
Agenda Item No. 9
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: David A. Webb, Public Works Director - 949-644-3311,
dawebb@newportbeachca.gov
PREPARED BY: Jim Houlihan, Deputy Public Works Director/City Engineer —
949-644-3319, jhoulihan@newportbeachca.gov
TITLE: Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Recommendations for
Ocean Boulevard Vision Plan and The Great Rescue of 1925 Plaque
ABSTRACT: M N
On March 4, 2025, the Parks, Beaches & Recreation (PB&R) Commission approved the
Ocean Boulevard Vision Plan and The Great Rescue of 1925 plaque and agreed to
forward both for City Council consideration. After many years of discussion, the
Ocean Boulevard Vision Plan scope has been reduced to primarily safety and
maintenance improvements needed to maintain the charm of the Ocean Boulevard
neighborhood. Additionally, included in the discussion, The Great Rescue of 1925 plaque
is proposed to commemorate the June 14, 1925, rescue of 12 lives from a sinking ship at
the entrance to Newport Harbor. Staff is now providing the revised Ocean Boulevard
Concept Master Plan as a "Receive and File" item and recommends City Council approval
of The Great Rescue of 1925 plaque to be located at the Dahlia Avenue vista point.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
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 Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission's revised Ocean
Boulevard Concept Master Plan, dated March 4, 2025;
c) Approve the Donation Agreement with Paul Burnett for the fabrication, installation and
maintenance of The Great Rescue of 1925 plaque, and authorize the Mayor and City
Clerk to execute the agreement; and
d) Waive the requirements of City Council Policy L-6 to allow the placement of The Great
Rescue of 1925 plaque within the public right-of-way at the Dahlia Avenue vista point.
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Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Recommendations for
Ocean Boulevard Vision Plan and The Great Rescue of 1925 Plaque
May 27, 2025
Page 2
DISCUSSION:
Discussions for the Ocean Boulevard Vision Plan (Plan) began on June 8, 2021, when it
was brought to City Council by then Councilmember Joy Brenner. In the following four
years there have been 11 public meetings, including PB&R Commission meetings,
community meetings and field walks. Included in Attachment A is a Concept Master Plan
approved by the PB&R Commission on March 4, 2025, which is a "Receive and File" item.
Staff may include individual maintenance items necessary to address critical American
Disabilities Act (ADA), safety and erosion concerns within future Capital Improvement
Program (CIP) projects, such as relocation of fire hydrants out of sidewalks, installation
of a safety barrier on the staircase to China Cove, replacement of failing railroad tie
retaining walls, and landscape improvements to support hillside stability. These, as with
all projects included in the City's CIP, would require public input and approval at a City
Council meeting. 1%
In addition to the Plan, Corona del Mar residents approached City staff regarding the
possibility of adding a plaque to celebrate "The Great Rescue of 1925" within the Plan
area. This item was also presented to the PB&R Commission on March 4, 2025, and was
approved unanimously to be considered by City Council for installation on Ocean
Boulevard. The plaque will commemorate the rescue of 12 lives from a sinking ship at the
entrance to Newport Harbor. Duke Kahanamoku and his friends heroically jumped into
action in the face of disaster. This event left a lasting legacy in Corona del Mar and beyond
that is worthy of a permanent presence to educate the community and visitors alike.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The completion of the maintenance improvements will occur over the next few years
through future CIP projects. Funding for these improvements will be included within future
CIP budgets approved by City Council.
There is no fiscal impact related to the fabrication, installation or maintenance of The
Great Rescue of 1925 plaque. The donor, Paul Burnett, will provide a $2,500 donation to
the City for the forming and pouring the concrete pedestal, on which the plaque will be
placed. Paul Burnett and the sponsors of the plaque will provide volunteer maintenance
for the life of the plaque.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Staff recommends the City Council find this action is not subject to the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not
result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment)
and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA
Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no
potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
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Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Recommendations for
Ocean Boulevard Vision Plan and The Great Rescue of 1925 Plaque
May 27, 2025
Page 3
NOTICING:
The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of
the meeting at which the City Council considers the item).
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A — Ocean Boulevard Concept Master Plan
Attachment B — Donation Agreement
Attachment C — Memorial Monument Proposal — The Great Rescue of 1925
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