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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/08/2014 - Study Session*I City Council Minutes Study Session April 8, 2014 - 4:00 p.m. I. ROLL CALL Present: Council Member Gardner, Council Member Petros, Council Member Curry, Council Member Henn, Mayor Pro Tem Selich, Mayor Hill Absent: Council Member Daigle (Excused) II. PUBLIC COMMENTS Jim Mosher commented on the City video service contracting to Newport Beach and Company and referenced Item No. 10 (Professional Services Agreement with George H. Eiser, III of Meyers, Nave, Riback, Silver & Wilson for the Newport Beach Municipal Code Title 20 and Other Hearings) of the regular meeting agenda. He reported that the contract refers to the outside consultant having the skills for the service required by the City noting that there is a detail statement of qualifications with tonight's proposal and asked if the City received a statement of qualifications from Newport Beach and Company and if not, wondered why. Sarah Wilkinson, stated she is the artist who made the sculpture (Uprooted II) located outside Council Chambers noting that it was approved as a one -year loan. She expressed her appreciation to have the sculpture at City Hall but noted her disappointment at a recent City Arts Commission meeting where she asked if they would consider having the sculpture for an additional year for $1,000. She reported there was a motion for maintaining the sculpture for another year, but it received no second so no decision was made. She asked Council to consider the matter including the possibility of finding a donor for the $1,000 to keep the sculpture in place for another year. Mayor Hill noted that the matter has not been agendized and that based on the Brown Act and Council Policy the item cannot be discussed at this time. He added that there would need to be four (4) votes by Council in order to agendize the item. III. STUDY SESSION SSL Clarification of Items on the Consent Calendar - None SS2. Arts Master Plan City Manager Kiff introduced the item, presented a brief background and deferred to staff for a report. Library Services Director Tim Hetherton presented details of the report addressing background, the Master Plan process goals, proposed process overview, provisions of the final report, reporting and the Arts OC Master Plan proposal. Rick Stein, Arts Orange County, commended Council for its vision in pursuing improved and increased arts services in the community and commented on the Civic Center Sculpture Exhibition currently being planned. Regarding the latter, he stated that a report will be presented to Council next month. Council Member Henn commented on a project by the Irvine Company that was going to generate a fee payment of a sizable amount and asked regarding the status of that project. Volume 61 - Page.521 City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session April 8, 2014 Community Development Director Brandt reported that the project is currently in plan check and that the process is anticipated to be completed by late spring or early summer. She stated she would have to check whether the fee payment is triggered with the issuance of a building permit or the grading permit. Mayor Pro Tem Selich understood that the City will be receiving a check in the approximate amount of $19 million in late summer. Council Member Henn stated that it is urgent that the City Arts Commission move forward expeditiously with this project. He commented on the plan being developed consistent with existing Council Policies and stated that it should be a broader mandate to the extent that the process uncovers changes that should be made to existing Council Policies and recommended including that in the mandate. He hoped this would be viewed by the City Arts Commission as a broad -based undertaking that will equally consider various kinds of art as well as other cultural attractions and that there would be an emphasis on understanding and recommending funding sources. He stated he is anxious for the project to move forward and hoped that the mandate will lay out on -going governance for the administration of the Master Plan. In response to Mayor Pro Tem Selich's inquiry on other cities that adopted a Master Plan, Mr. Stein noted there are many cities that have adopted one including the City of Laguna Beach. He added there are many resources that they have used and will continue to access them in the process. Mayor Pro Tem Selich suggested researching means of funding noting processes used in other cities to which Mr. Stein stated that is part of the scope of work. Council Member Curry thanked Mr. Stein and the City Arts Commission for their work on the Sculpture Garden and asked Mr. Stein to articulate some of the benefits of an Arts Master Plan. Mr. Stein addressed quality of life as well as economic impacts. Council Member Petros commented on the importance of implementation and stated that as the ascertainment is done, he would like Council to receive updates in order to better understand where the process is going. He commented on inventorying the creative sector and commented positively on the Newport Theater Arts Center. He encouraged looking at the "little assets" in the City and other cultural amenities. Additionally, he noted that many of the patrons of the arts in Orange and Los Angeles Counties live in Newport Beach and will attribute the resources to other cities and not in their home town and addressed the importance of considering keeping them in Newport Beach, Mr. Stein responded that there are plenty of arts and arts patrons to go around; they should all be made aware of the wealth of opportunity in their own communities which should be supported first. Council Member Gardner commented on the relocation of the Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA) and hoped that dealing with losing something that significant would be part of the consideration. She suggested looking into ways to encourage the private sector to participate in the arts and urged Mr. Stein to be bold, creative and daring. Council Member Henn agreed with Council Member Gardner and urged to think about what can be, as opposed to what is. Additionally, he commented positively on the Arts in Public Places program in the City and noted the possibility of it extending to every park in the City and other public places. He referenced Lincoln Park in the City of Chicago. Jim Mosher requested clarification of the matter relative to the issuance of a Request for Proposal (RFP) to find a consultant who would help with the formulation of an Arts Master Plan. He expressed concerns that before even mentioning it, a selection has already been made. He expressed concern with having the same person defining the scope, preparing the proposal and implementing the proposal and attempts at influencing the City to provide a source of income to themselves in the future. He would think there are other people available that could perform the necessary tasks. Volume 61 - Page 522 City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session April 8, 2014 City Manager Kiff summarized Council comments for clarification. SS3. Early Look at the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Council Member Gardner recused herself from any discussion related to Tot Lots because there is a tot lot within 500 -feet of her home. Council Member Henn recused himself from discussions related to the Lido Fire Station Replacement, the Newport Boulevard 32nd Street project and any other landscaping project that might arise for public right -of -way landscaping going down the Peninsula that could be close to his home as well as Newport Boulevard Water Main Replacement 19th Street to Channel Bridge. Mayor Hill recused himself from Alley Pavement Replacements (Newport Heights), Newport Boulevard Regional Traffic Signal, Mariner's Mile Citizen Advisory Panel Efforts, Water Quality & Environmental issues and Turf Replacement,,Trrigation Retrofits at Irvine Avenue, Jamboree, 22nd Street at Newport Boulevard. Public Works Director Webb introduced Public Works Financial and Administrative Manager Jamie Hook and provided a PowerPoint presentation addressing CIP General Fund Goals and CIP focus, Facilities, and Streets and Drainage. In response to questions from Council, he addressed water quality, replacement of medians and pavement repairs. Regarding Dover and Westcliff Drives, Council Member Petros stressed the importance of coordinating with the Bicycle Master Plan Oversight Committee noting that a section of Dover has been identified as an area of special note from the Committee. Public Works Director Webb reported that they work closely with the Traffic Division. Public Works Director Webb continued with CIP projects related to Streets and Drainage, addressed CIP projects related to Transportation, and discussed Parks, Harbor and Beaches. Brief discussion followed on the proposed conversion of the San Joaquin Hills Court Conversion to Pickleball regarding any complaints and use of the court. Public Works Director Webb continued providing information regarding specific CIP projects related to Parks, Harbor and Beaches. In response to Council Member Selich regarding phases in connection with the Balboa Island Seawall project, Public Works Director stated that this takes care of the 2 phases. Public Works Director Webb addressed Water Quality & Environmental projects. Ensuing discussion pertained to the Semeniuk Slough Dredging title, the Bayview Heights Drainage and Runoff Treatment project, Turf Replacement /Irrigation Retrofits controller upgrades and funding for the Big Canyon Wash Water Quality/Restoration project. Public Works Director Webb presented details and responded on the Water and Wastewater projects In response to Council Member Gardner's inquiry, City Manager Kiff stated that with the City's new financial software it will allow the City to enter the realm of tiered water rates if Council chooses. Public Works Director Webb continued addressing Water & Wastewater projects and discussed a significant Miscellaneous project that would place an entry arch at Balboa Island. Volume 61 - Page 523 City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session April 8, 2014 Mayor Pro Tem Selich commented on his recommendation for a Balboa Island entry arch. He noted the various associations will not be contributing funds toward the project. Council Member Henn added there was a similar recommendation made in the ULI /TAP report and the Balboa Village Master Plan regarding Balboa Village and asked regarding the possibility of taking advantage of some synergies in that regard. He asked to include money in the budget for the Balboa Village entry arch. Public Works Director Webb concluded with General Fund projects beyond $5.2 million and asked for Council input. Mayor Hill commented on the Corona del Mar Entry stating that he would like to see the City proceed with the project as it has been under discussion for many years. Council Member Petros concurred and Council Member Gardner commented on the importance of addressing parking concerns in Corona del Mar. Council Member Petros addressed a process to make significant investments along Balboa Boulevard and West Coast Highway, additionally, he commented on the need to consider Newport /Balboa Boulevard from 32nd Street and asked regarding initiating a vision for that part of Newport Boulevard in the upcoming CIP. Discussion followed regarding the possibility of mirroring what has already been done in other areas. Council Member Petros suggested adding a placeholder so that further discussions can be held in the future regarding the design theme. Public Works Director Webb confirmed with the Council to move forward with design on the Corona del Mar Entry Improvements. Mayor Pro Tem Selich indicated support for Council Member Petros' recommendation. He utilized a PowerPoint presentation and suggested additional landscaping improvements including paving on Marine Avenue, Jamboree Road and Coast Highway, Bayside Village property wall landscape enhancements and MacArthur Boulevard landscaping enhancements. He added that the latter is owned by the Big Canyon Country Club and that they have no interest in landscaping it. In response to Council Member Gardner's inquiry regarding the possibility of the Balboa Island Merchants Association contributing to improvements, Mayor Pro Tem Selich noted that he can ask but the concept he presented was for the City to fund it. Council Member Henn commented positively on the beautification efforts going on in the Peninsula and Coast Highway and expressed support of Mayor Pro Tem Selich's ideas. In response to Council Member Curry's inquiry regarding the total costs for CIP projects, Public Works Director Webb stated it approximates $61 million. Council Member Curry commented positively on having reserves and resources to fund projects. Council Member Henn commented on the availability of the reserves enables the City to take advantage of matching grant opportunities; allowing the City to take advantage of leveraging our money with other agency monies. In response to Mayor Pro Tem Selich, Public Works Director Webb indicated the City does reach out on Rule 28 credits. Jim Mosher commented on General Fund contributions for the various projects and stated that many of the projects need substantial public input before going forward. He addressed replacing grassy medians with Volume 61 - Page 524 City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session April 8, 2014 drought friendly plants and the obligation of the Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission to review proposed changes to parkways. Bernie Svalstad, Chairman of the Corona del Mar BID, thanked Council for its consideration of the item related to the Corona del Mar Entry. George Schroeder commented positively on the plans and commented on studying the area on the Peninsula from 32nd Street to the Pier. He stated that landscape improvements on Balboa are appreciated but expressed concerns with the loss of parking spaces due to tree wells. IV. ADJOURNMENT - 5 :31 p.m. The agenda for the Study Session was posted on the City's website, on the City Hall Electronic Bulletin Board located in the entrance of the City Council Chambers at 100 Civic Center Drive, and in the Meeting Agenda Binder located in the entrance of the City Council Chambers at 100 Civic Center Drive on April 3, 2014, at 4:00 p.uL 194 Recording Secretary Mayor f� City Clerk Volume 61 - Page 525