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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/13/2013 - Study Session, City Council Minutes Study Session August 13, 2013 — 4:30 p.m. 1. ROLL CALL - 4:30 p.m. Present: Council Member Gardner, Council Member Petros, Mayor Pro Tern Hill, Mayor Curry, Council Member Selich, Council Member Henn Excused: Council Member Daigle IL CURRENT BUSINESS 1. CLARIFICATION OF ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR Regarding Item 10 (School Resource Officer Program Agreement), Council Member Gardner inquired regarding the functions that the School Resources Officer does. City Manager Kiff reported that tasks range from safety checks to truancy and acts as a go- between between the student population and the surrounding community. Regarding Item No. ld (Request to Install a New Driveway Approach at 201 Sapphire Avenue), Council Member Gardner commented on avoiding having driveways in certain areas and inquired on an adjacent alley. Public Works Director Webb reported there are two units on the subject lot which is subdivided. Regarding Item No. 10 (School Resource Officer Program Agreement), Council Member Petros reported this was to be provided to fulfill the obligations and roles of the school district and listed other issues the City may possibly add to the mix. City Manager Kiff reported that those issues are for a Civilian position, not the School Resources Officer who is typically on campus. He indicated other matters could be considered at another time. Mayor Pro Tem Hill commented on Item No. 3 (Consideration of Ordinance No, 2013 -14 Amending the Harbor Commission's Purpose and Responsibilities), requesting a written update on the Eelgrass issue and comments on stone groins. 2. TREES: CITYWIDE URBAN FOREST MAINTENANCE PROGRAM [1700 -2013] Deputy Municipal Operations Director Pisani introduced the item and deferred to staff for a report. Park and Tree Superintendent Serena provided a PowerPoint presentation on the City's Volume 61 - Page 244 City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session August 13, 2013 Urban Forest Maintenance Program. He addressed the goals of an, Urban Forestry Program, the make -up of the City's urban forest and Budget Highlights. Discussion followed regarding the Tree Reforestation amount and its historical pattern. Park and Tree Superintendent Serene overviewed Council Policies G -1 (Retention or Removal of City Trees), G -3 (Preservation of Views), and G -6 (Maintenance and Planting of Parkway Trees). Regarding tree maintenance, he reported that pruning is the most significant task and reported that up to 14,000 trees are pruned per year. He addressed the general pruning cycle, removal of trees, planting and emergency services. He noted that removals are generally for diseased or dying trees and detailed the Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission's role. He presented information regarding the Arbor Day Foundation awards including criteria for becoming a Tree City USA and addressed challenges to Urban Forest Management. In response to Council Member Gardner, Park and Tree Superintendent Sereno reported that palm and eucalyptus trees are susceptible to disease because of the City's climate. Park and Tree Superintendent Serene continued reporting on challenges to the urban forest, including development pressures, planting the wrong tree in the wrong place, watering and soil types. He noted that the City will be downsizing the urban forest because parkways can't support certain trees. He presented a list of pending Tree Division projects including a Request for Proposal for tree maintenance services, and revisions to the Street Tree Designation List. In response to Council Member Gardner, Park and Tree Superintendent Sereno confirmed there is a long -term vision for the urban forest based on population density, species and age diversity; however, staff is also reactive because trees are living and growing things and there are constantly exotic pests being brought into the area. He reported that the City uses pest- managements best practices and limits the amount of pesticides used and referenced a working relationship with the Civic Center landscape architect in determining the types of trees to plant. He addressed staffs efforts in selecting the right tree for the location and that trees will be smaller in the future which will reduce the size of the canopy in the urban forest. Mayor Pro Tom Hill commented on the notification Council receives regarding each tree removal and noted that in every instance the phrase "without replacement due to budget" has been included. He asked how staff will prioritize the trees that will be replaced. Park and Superintendent Serene reported there is a standing Iist of trees needing replacement based on budgetary cutbacks but that staff is currently replacing trees as they are being removed. Mayor Pro Tom Hill requested distributing the list of removed trees, electronically. Ken Jaggers distributed a hand -out to Council and commented on the large number of trees missing in and around his neighborhood. He felt that the budget is inadequate for the replacement of trees and encouraged Council to look aggressively at the matter. He estimated that the number of trees needing replacement is in the thousands. Volume 61 - Page 245 City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session August 13, 2013 City Manager Kiff stated that sometimes there is an issue of species availability and wondered whether enough resources are available. Deputy Municipal Operations Director Pisani felt that the budget is sufficient for this fiscal year but that the matter merits consideration for the next fiscal year. Discussion followed regarding the costs of replacing trees. Bob Shelton commended staff for their efforts but felt that part of the problem relates to the burdensome and contradictive Policies in existence. He also expressed concerns with the high cost of tree replacement and the ability to make choices on the species. Barbara Shelton spoke on association view issues and'expressed concerns with over - trimming. She distributed a hand -out to Council. In addition, she inquired on the possibility of removing trees inside the parkways allowing individual homeowners to do something else with the parkway. Jim Mosher referenced comments he submitted in writing and believes it is a problem that the Municipal Operations Department has no presence in City Hall. Additionally, he felt that consideration should be given to the Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission's (PB &R) role in the process and suggested that Council direct PB &R to study the problem in depth and addressed the problem of vacancies and the tree list. Karen Tringali, Corona del Mar Resident Association, commented on the loss of large canopy trees during the last few years, addressed lessons learned and reported that there are blocks within Corona del Mar Village that are vacant of trees. She asked that Council make the matter a top priority for future plans. Council Member Gardner commented positively on having PB &R review the Policies and wondered if the City can improve the pace of replacing some of the trees. Council Member Henn indicated he would like to see a plan where progress can be made in planting trees in some of the denuded areas, increasing the population of trees as well as replacing them. Discussion followed regarding the possibility of planting 24" box trees rather than 36" box trees depending on the availability of species. Mayor Curry expressed the need to accelerate the pace of replacing and planting trees. & SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON (SCE) ENERGY LEADERSHIP PARTNERSHIP - ENERGY ACTION PLAN [100 -20131 Public Works Director Webb introduced the Item and deferred to staff for a report. Deputy Public Works Director Thomas provided a PowerPoint presentation addressing details of the Energy Action Plan. He addressed levels of participation in the partnership, funding for the plan, objectives of the program, action steps, details of the reduction goal, baseline and target goal of reduction and department acceptance. Additionally, he highlighted on projects completed which have resulted in substantial energy savings. Volume 61 - Page 246 City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session August 13, 2013 In response to Mayor Pro Tern Hill, Deputy Public Works Director Thomas advised that the LEED certified building savings resulted from the design of the Civic Center if we would not have implemented the LEED measures. Deputy Public Works Director Thomas presented a list of future projects with the respective energy savings and addressed increased community outreach. Council Member Gardner inquired on ways to reach residents on conservation. Janelle Godges, Southern California Edison, commended City staff and addressed moving customers towards times of use noting that the time of day electricity is used is just as important as the amount of electricity used. She noted there are a variety of programs for customers to reduce their energy usage and bills. In response to Council Member Petrol's inquiry, staff reported that preparation of the plan is strictly voluntary and has been patterned after AB 32, Council Member Petros commented positively on the plan noting that it is good planning and a wise use of resources. He commented against chasing a mandate from Sacramento and felt that if the City is going to do this; it should do it because iva good for the community. Deputy Public Works Director Thomas noted that this is being done on a proactive basis and not in reaction to any mandates. Council Member Henn expressed concern associated with these programs, specifically, regarding solar panel conversions. Ms. Godges stated that what the City is proposing is to become a leader in the community. As the City moves up in the tier level it will get higher incentives and rebates. She added that solar rates are comprised of the costs of electricity and offsets the load on the grid during peak, critical times. Deputy Public Works Director Thomas addressed funding sources, energy policies, and tracking and monitoring energy usage, as well as next steps. Council Member Gardner encouraged staff to print on both sides of the paper. Mayor Curry commended staff for the action plan. Jim Mosher commented that the alternative of having no street lights is even more energy efficient than providing lights that are not needed in some places. Brief discussion followed regarding alternate street lights. III. PUBLIC COMMENTS, INCLUDING PUBLIC COMMENTS ABOUT ITEMS ON THE CLOSED SESSION AGENDA City Attorney Harp announced items to be considered under the Closed Session Agenda. Jim Mosher pointed out recent instances where the public may perceive a misuse of the limited privilege of Council to hold Closed Sessions. Volume 61 - Page 247 City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session August 13, 2013 IV. ADJOURNMENT - 5:54 p.m. The agenda for the Study Session was posted on August 8, 2013, at 4:34 p.m. on the City's website; on August 9, 2013, at 8:00 a.m. on the City Hall Electronic Bulletin Board located in the entrance of the City Council Chambers at 100 Civic Center Drive; and on June 9, 2013, at 8:00 a.m. in the Meeting Agenda Binder located in the entrance of the City Council Chambers at 100 Civic Center Drive. Recording Secretary Mayor City Clerk Volume 61 - Page 248