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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/22/2012 - Study SessionCITE' OF NEWPORT BEACH City Council Minutes City Council Study Session May 22, 2012 — 4:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Council Member Hill, Mayor Pro Tem Curry, Mayor Gardner, Council Member Selich, Council Member Henn Excused: Council Member Rosansky, Council Member Daigle Council Member Daigle arrived at 4:06 p.m Council Member Rosansky arrived at 4:21 p.m. II. CURRENT BUSINESS 1. CLARIFICATION OF ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR. In response to Mayor Gardner's questions regarding Item 13 (Public Right -of -Way at 701 and 701% Orchid Avenue), Deputy Public Works Director Webb highlighted the policy regarding critical links for sidewalks but noted that the subject link is not designated as critical. He reported that, for this item, there is existing landscape and some tree issues, but the property owner has chosen not to install sidewalks. Mayor Gardner requested that staff look into the matter and consider installing sidewalks due to pedestrian safety. Regarding Item 5 (Parking Meter Service with Central Parking System, Inc.),. Council Member Hill requested and received clarification from Finance Director McCraner that it is within the scope of work that the vendor maintains all parking meter equipment, signage and striping. City Manager Kill reported that staff will be recommending removal of the Special Events Advisory Committee (SEAL) recommendations (Item 14) from the Consent Calendar. Regarding Item 10 (Planning Commission Agenda), Community Development Director Brandt reported a correction to Planning Commission Item 3 relative to the continuation of the Banning Ranch Project, noting that the vote was 5 to 1 for the continuance, with Commissioner Hillgren voting no. 2. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) -BUDGET PRESENTATION. City Manager Kiff introduced the item, reporting that after the majority of the presentation and at the point neighborhood revitalization is discussed, on the advice of the City Attorney, three Council Members who have potential conflicts will be asked to recuse themselves. City Attorney Harp added that all of the neighborhood revitalization items will be grouped together for discussion. He reported that there is a general exception that applies to capital improvement projects where Council Members would not necessarily need to recuse themselves; however, although staff does not believe that there is a conflict, out of an abundance of caution, Council Members involved have agreed to recuse themselves from those discussions. Deputy Public Works Director Webb utilized a PowerPoint presentation to discuss the details of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP), including how projects are selected, the current Pavement Volume 60 - Page 457 City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session May 22, 2012 Master Plan, and status of Newport Coast streets; Council priorities; FY 2011 -12 major CIPs completed and costs; performance measurements; contingencies; and changing measurements within the approved contingencies. He addressed on -going encumbrances for work in progress and the FY" 2012 -13 CIP including costs, number of projects, new funding and re- budget funds. He further reported on the 10 -year CIP funding history. He highlighted the major projects and the approved conceptual master plan for Newport Boulevard /32nd Street and the related landscape plan. He reported on specific street improvements, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements, drainage improvements, the traffic and signal modernization project, parks, harbors and beaches, and noted that dredging is included in the total budget dollars. Deputy Public Works Director Webb presented details relative to water quality and environmental programs, water system, wastewater system programs, and miscellaneous programs including the Santa Ana Heights undergroumding. He also presented a summary of the proposed FY 2012 -13 CIPs. Discussion followed regarding the schedule for the Marina Park Project, using care to avoid double - booking seawall and bulkhead modifications, and about the portion of the total budget that is associated with the Civic Center Project. Deputy Public Works Director Webb noted that the Civic Center is under an ongoing encumbrance and explained the difference between a re- budget and an encumbrance. City Manager Kiff suggested including a slide, going forward, that shows active and inactive ongoing encumbrances in order to avoid misunderstating the amount of work occurring in the City. Discussion ensued relative to plans for the City to work with the City of Irvine relative to Bonita Canyon and traffic challenges, and the possibility of having the City of Irvine monitor some Newport Beach intersections. Council Member Henn requested that staff provide a representation on the total amount of C[P activity in the City for FY 2011 -12 and FY 2012 -13. Deputy Public Works Director Webb addressed the proposed F Y 2012 -13 CIP new funds and total funds, and presented details on the proposed modifications in order to reach the $3.6 million in the General Fund CIP budget. Brief discussion followed regarding taking some of the plants at the current City Hall facility to the new Civic Center, keeping Southern California Edison (SCE) credits that are purchased but not used right away, risks related to devaluation of credits, and addressing resident equity concerns regarding undergrounding. Regarding the budget request for Local Coastal Plan (LCP) implementation, Community Development Director Brandt reported that the amount indicated will help with environmental studies that will need to accompany the regulatory document which will be prepared in- house. Consulting help will be used for technical studies only. She suggested allocating the amount in two phases, stated that preparation of the documents which will be submitted to the California Coastal Commission will take approximately 18 months, and noted that she has no concerns if half of the budget is allocated in this fiscal year and the other in the next. Regarding the completion of monument signs on Newport Coast Drive and Coast Highway, Mayor Gardner believed that the design standards should be maintained and expressed her preference for the standard design. Discussion ensued regarding the design of monument signs and maintaining City -wide standards, whether the City actually has monument sign standards, and the use of various designs throughout different areas of the City. Mayor Pro Tem Curry listed areas in the City using different designs and stated that the request from residents to use their design should be considered. Council Member Selich stated that the designs mentioned were installed prior to the Volume 60 - Page 458 City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session May 22, 2012 City adopting monument design standards and expressed his preference for the standard design. Council Member Rosansky stated that the design standards should be maintained and indicated preference for the standard design in order to create a unifying presence for the City. Council Member Henn noted that the Balboa Village Citizens' Advisory Panel '(CAP) is discussing new identification for that area and the possibility of changing signage. Deputy Public Works Director Webb noted that the present issue relates to funding and suggested addressing the type of sign at a later time. He addressed other projects to include in the CIP budget, including the Balboa Cove public walkway design, the Eastbluff bicycle lane extension, and the Old Newport Boulevard parking and landscaping concept. Council Member Selich suggested reducing the $150,000 for the implementation of the LCP to $75,000 for this fiscal year. He also suggested reducing the Balboa Cove walkway project to $40,000 and moving the $35,000 Eastbluff bicycle lane extension up on the list. Council Member Daigle expressed support for Council Member Selich's proposal if staff feels it is workable. In response to Council Member Henn's question, Deputy Public Works Director Webb reported that the City submitted an Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) grant application in April for the Eastbluff bicycle lane extension, and expects to find out the results in mid - summer. Council Member Henn suggested moving the project up on the list only if the OCTA funding does not come through. Council Member Hill indicated support for Council Member Selich and Council Member Henn's suggestions. City Manager Kiff affirmed Council's direction to place $75,000 for the LCP this fiscal year. He addressed assigning $40,000 for the Balboa Cove walkway and $35,000 for the Eastbluff bicycle lane extension pending OCTA funding and, if the OCTA funding falls through, program the money for the Old Newport Boulevard parking and landscape concept. Council Member Rosansky pointed out the importance of finding the funds for the Old Newport Boulevard parking and landscape concept. Mayor Gardner indicated support for starting on design for the Old Newport Boulevard parking and landscape concept. Citizens Advisory Panel (CAP) Budget Discussions Council Member Rosansky reported that he lives in West Newport within 500 -feet of the West Newport CAP. He recused himself and left the dais. Council Member Hill reported that he owns an office building within 500 -feet of the West Newport CAP. He recused himself and left the dais. Council Member Henn reported that his potential conflict has to do with a consulting relationship that he has with the owner of a business in Via Lido Plaza. He requested that before the next CAP appropriations occurs, discussion take place relative to the exact nature of the conflicts and how they relate to the issue being discussed. He noted that he has no conflict relative to the West Newport landscaping project, but since that item has been bundled with other CAP issues for which he may have a conflict, he will recuse himself. He recused himself and left the dais. Deputy Public Works Director Webb addressed staff proposals regarding neighborhood revitalization. He presented background on the projects, including the Bristol Street South median landscape improvement project. He reported that staff is planning to apply for a grant which would Volume 60 - Page 459 City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session May 22, 2012 fund 75% through a matching opportunity. He addressed the Balboa Boulevard landscape project design, the West Coast Highway landscape project partial design, and the Corona del Mar entry improvement project design. He requested Council direction on how to proceed. Mayor Gardner indicated that she would like to see completion of the striping and traffic tests for Corona del Mar, noting that depending on the results, consideration can then be given relative to whether to proceed with the final design. Council Member Selich indicating that Balboa Boulevard is a top priority of various CAPS. He asked about the plans for construction upon completion of all of the proposed design projects. He stated that he would like to see a CIP plan on how they would all fit together. Deputy Public Works Director Webb stated that staff would look for grant opportunities first relative to the Bristol Street South project. Regarding Balboa Boulevard, since it is a high priority, staff would look for future grant opportunities and stated that it could be completed in two phases, over two years. Regarding West Coast Highway, he addressed issues with Caltrans to develop an agreement where Caltrans keeps ownership'of the streets while the City performs landscaping and holds tort liability. It was noted that staff is not currently proposing the West Coast Highway Concept Plan or the Corona del Mar entry improvements at this time, unless directed by Council. City Manager Kiff indicated that staff would like the CIP finalized today, but noted that there is still opportunity to replace projects. Mayor Pro Tem Curry expressed support for performing the traffic tests in Corona del Mar. He felt that the West Coast Highway project could be left off the CIP for now, but if funds can be identified and Caltrans issues are resolved, the project could move to a more accelerated rate in the future. Public Works Director Webb reported that the traffic tests and striping in Corona del Mar should cost between $20,000 and $25,000. Discussion ensued relative to possibly scheduling the project for the month of August and asking the Corona del Mar Business Improvement District (BID) to fund it. City Manager Kiff summarized Council comments, noting that the Corona del Mar project would be moved up and changed to $25,000 with the expectation that the BID would fund it. City Manager Kiff affirmed that the total CIP budget is $3.564 million. Bernie Svalstad, Chairman of the Corona del Mar BID, stated that the BID can pay about $20;000 for striping and traffic tests. He expressed the need to proceed with the parking area consultant, and requested that Council budget $25,000 to implement the project as soon as possible. He encouraged staff involvement to help with California Coastal Commission issues. Sherry Pollack addressed the Corona del Mar project and expressed concerns regarding increased traffic. Jim Mosher commented on the possible need for approval from OCTA prior to conducting the striping and traffic tests. Patricia Riggs thanked the Mayor for pressing for the traffic test, noting that neighbors are concerned with increased traffic if a lane is lost. Laura Curran expressed interest in the traffic study and for maintaining the flow of traffic. To address safety concerns, she suggested installing a pedestrian bridge. Dan Purcell encouraged Council to wait until the Civic Center opens to perform the striping and traffic tests in Corona del Mar. Volume 60 - Page 460 City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session May 22, 2012 Following discussion of the CAP- projects, Council Members Henn, Hill and Rosansky reentered the Council Chambers and took their places on the dais. Public comments was accepted on the non -CAP items: Dan Wampole thanked Council for budgeting money for the Newport Coast monument sign. Jim Mosher noted that the largest single item on the summary list of CIP projects is for parks, harbors and beaches; stated that the City has a Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission (PB &R); and stated that PB &R and the Planning Commission are charged with reviewing related budget issues. City Attorney Harp noted that the Planning Commission previously considered the CIP, so that obligation has been fulfilled. Regarding PB &R, he indicated that they have the power to consider and make recommendations relative to the budget, but by practice, have deferred to the City Council. III. PUBLIC COMMENTS Jim Mosher commented on the completion of the Newport Beach Firefighters Association (NBFA) negotiations (Item S21) and noted that they are still listed under Closed Session. He commented on the John Wayne Airport (JWA) settlement agreement and a letter submitted by the City regarding the Ontario International Airport. City Attorney Harp responded regarding the appropriateness of listing the NBFA in the list under Closed Session items. IV. ADJOURNMENT - 5:46 p.m. The agenda for the Study Session was posted on May 17, 2012, at 4:40 p.m. on the City Hall Bulletin Board located outside of the City of Newport Beach Administration Building. N .,14 Recording Secretary Mayor Volume 60 - Page 461