HomeMy WebLinkAbout19 - Discuss/Approve Harbor Commission Objectives for FY 2014-15CITY OF
NEWPORT BEACH
City Council Staff Report
January 27, 2015
Agenda Item No. 19
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: David A. Webb, Public Works Director- (949) 644 -3330,
dawebb@newportbeachca.gov
PREPARED BY: Chris Miller, Harbor Resources Manager
PHONE: (949) 644 -3043
TITLE: Discuss /Approve Harbor Commission Objectives for FY 2014 -15
ABSTRACT:
Each year the Harbor Commission develops their Objectives for the coming year and presents them to the
City Council for their review, comment and information. The Harbor Commission is requesting Council to
review and approve their Objectives for Fiscal Year 2014 -15.
RECOMMENDATION:
Discuss and, if appropriate, approve the Harbor Commission's FY 2014 -15 Objectives.
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS:
There is no fiscal impact related to this item. However, the Harbor Commission's Objectives include
projects which, when implemented, will require funding through the normal budgeting process.
DISCUSSION:
Over the past several months, the Harbor Commission has developed a list of objectives for FY 2014 -15
which support their mission, and the mission of the Harbor Area Management Plan, which is:
"To protect and improve the resources of Newport Harbor, Upper Newport Bay, and the Ocean Beaches to
ensure their proper use and enjoyment by all things that derive life, recreation, or commerce from our City's
most important asset."
In keeping with this mission, the Commission's Objectives are intended to advance two over- arching
responsibilities:
1. Ensuring the long term welfare of Newport Harbor for all residential, recreational and commercial
users; and
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2. Promoting Newport Harbor as a preferred and welcoming destination for visitors and residents alike
The Commission's specific Objectives to support these two statements are listed in Attachment A. The
Harbor Commission approved these Objectives at their November 2014 meeting, and recommends they
be reviewed and approved by the City Council.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
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.
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:
Description
Attachment A - Harbor Commission Objectives for Fiscal Year 2014 -15
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ATTACHMENT A
Newport Harbor Commission Objectives
FY 2014 -2015
As approved by the Commission on November 17, 2014
These objectives support the mission of the Harbor Area Management Plan and the
two most essential responsibilities of the Harbor Commission: (1) to ensure the long
term welfare of Newport Harbor for all residential, recreational, and commercial
users; (2) to promote Newport Harbor as a preferred and welcoming destination for
visitors and residents alike.
These objectives are subject to the review and approval of the Commission, and final
approval of the Newport Beach City Council. Principal responsibility for the
achievement of each objective is assigned to a subcommittee of the Harbor
Commission, as noted below. The chair of each subcommittee is shown in italics.
Progress towards these objectives will be reported, when appropriate, by the chair
of each subcommittee during regular meetings of the Harbor Commission.
Ensuring the Long Term Welfare of Newport Harbor
1) Support Harbor Resources staff in achieving final interagency approval of the
Newport Shallow Waters Eelgrass Mitigation Plan, facilitating a new Regional
General Permit (RGP 54). The purpose of the Plan is to enable a more efficient and
cost - effective RGP 54 permitting process for dock maintenance dredging through an
ecosystem -based approach to sustaining and promoting the population of shallow
water eelgrass in all areas of Lower Newport Bay where such eelgrass is found.
[West, McIntosh, Avery]
2) Complete the development of recommendations for the best pubic use of Lower
Castaways, the last remaining undeveloped city-owned waterfront property.
Collaborate with City Staff and the Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission in
evaluating RFP- solicited design proposals for presentation to the City Council.
[Girling, Avery]
3) Secure California Department of Recreation approval for a proposed amendment
to the Harbor Code which would grant an exception to the harbor speed limit for
sanctioned sail racing and human powered racing events. With such authorization
recommend the proposed amendment to the City Council for enactment. [Blank,
West]
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4) Create a forum for dialogue with representatives of the harbor Charter Fleet to
promote the development of a shared vision of charter boat operation standards to
be achieved collaboratively by 2020, with particular emphasis on environmental
considerations. [Avery, Girling, Kenney]
5) Collaborate with the Marine Committee of the Newport Beach Chamber of
Commerce in the development of strategy recommendations to support the
preservation of water - dependent commercial and recreational activities as
prescribed in the Harbor Area Management Plan and the Harbor and Bay Element of
the General Plan. [Stapleton, Girling, Blank]
Promoting Newport Harbor as a Preferred and Welcoming
Destination
6) Complete the evaluation of public moorage and anchorage alternatives.
Specifically address the concept of an anchorage in the Turning Basin such as the
one used on a temporary basis during the 2012 Lower Bay dredging project and the
suggestion of day moorings off Big Corona beach. [Avery, McIntosh]
7) Update and publish a 3rd edition of The Complete Cruising Guide to Newport
Harbor, first published by the Harbor Commission in 2010. [West, Kenney,
Stapleton]
8) Investigate the availability and sufficiency of launch ramp facilities in the harbor
and report findings to the Commission. Present specific recommendations to the
City Council, as appropriate. [McIntosh, Girling]
9) Support the Harbor Resources Staff and City Council in the ongoing evaluation of
a potential Harbor Waterbus Service. [West, Girling, Stapleton]
10) Develop and present to City Council the Commission's policy recommendations
concerning the operation of water propelled vessels in Newport Harbor. [Kenney,
McIntosh]
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