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HomeMy WebLinkAbout00 - Public HandoutBALBOA ISLAND WISH LIST JANUARY 31, 2026 Mayor and City Council: The following annual Balboa Island "Wish List" is submitted for your consideration and is based on direct resident feedback collected through a recent community survey. The survey was distributed via email, with approximately 1,100 residents opening the invitation, resulting in 350 survey link clicks and 200 completed responses. The results clearly identified long-standing resident priorities, including animal sanitation, e-bike safety and street repairs, while also highlighting a significant new concern this year: the need for enhanced traffic control during the holiday period due to a dramatic increase in tourism and visitation. Residents reported near - continuous afternoon and evening traffic gridlock throughout much of December, lasting nearly three weeks. This congestion severely impacted daily mobility, emergency access, and overall quality of life on the Island. The survey also demonstrated strong resident support for the installation of additional security cameras on the Island. Two areas of additional City funding warrant specific mention. First, a modest increase of approximately $5,000 is requested to the City grant for the Balboa Island Parade to fully cover required City services. Second, additional General Fund support is requested to better address long range street rehabilitation goals. The current plan provides only for sectional replacement associated with underground utility work; however, given the age of the roadway —approximately 70 years —additional street replacement is strongly considered and is consistent will the desire of the residents and Council policy. The items below reflect both ongoing infrastructure needs and emerging issues that residents believe are important to maintaining safety, accessibility, and quality of life on Balboa Island. Susan Pearl, President, Balboa Island Improvement Association Infrastructure & Capital Improvements • Continued efforts on seawall replacement. • Additional General Fund funding (FY 25-26) for street renovation to supplement resident -paid underground utility, street, and alley upgrades. • Flood pump automation system to eliminate staff overtime and improve flood -management capabilities on the Island. • Street reconstruction following completion of underground utility projects. • Park Avenue roadway and median improvements. • Restart of Island -wide pavement repairs. • Main Balboa Island Bridge aesthetic upgrades and fencing improvements. Parks, Recreation & Public Spaces • Minor additional safety lighting at the park with minimal impact on nearby residents. • Balboa Island Park children's play area evaluation, renovation, and/or upgrade. • Upgrade of the boardwalk sidewalk sweeper or acquisition of a new machine designed to address dog feces and urine on the Balboa Island and Peninsula boardwalks. Public Safety & Security • Support installation of Police Department —controlled external security cameras at: • Ferry restroom area to monitor ferry area activities • Fire Station at the intersection of Park Avenue and Marine Avenue • Ensure adequate police, paramedic, and fire coverage to maintain response times during major Island events and high congestion periods. Traffic, Transportation & Mobility • Study and designate bike routes and signage to provide the safest and most positive experience for residents and visitors. • Feasibility study and recommendations for off -Island parking for visitors, contractors, and Marine Avenue and Agate employees, including private and public/private options. • Install improved signage and/or an information kiosk at the ferry directing visitors to the Marine Avenue Business District. • Determine methods to enforce complete stops at critical north and south Bayfront alley stop signs, including a pilot project at Ruby Street (north Bayfront near the children's beach) and other locations identified by City Engineering. • Improve bridge -jumping signage by placing signs where jumping actually occurs, using stronger language on both the Big Island and Little Island bridges, and removing ineffective signage. • Provide City traffic control during peak holiday and high -volume periods, specifically at Balboa & Marine Avenues and Park & Marine Avenues. Sanitation & Visitor Services • Provide temporary trash cans on the south Bayfront during major events. • Continue City -provided portable restrooms during peak visitation periods. • Increase beach sand grooming on high -usage beaches. • Addressing animal sanitation issues on the Island Policy & Community Support • Ordinance restricting doorway vending in the City of Newport Beach. • Additional City funding support for the Balboa Island Parade to match required City services (Police and Public Works): additional $5,000.