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HomeMy WebLinkAbout- Item 2 - HC Goals 2014-15 Approval - HC Staff Report a�WPo,v CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH r. CgClFp0.NP Harbor Commission Staff Report Agenda Item No. 2 October 13, 2014 TO: HARBOR COMMISSION FROM: Public Works Department Chris Miller, Harbor Resources Manager 949-644-3043, cmiller@newportbeachca.gov TITLE: Harbor Commission Goals: Review Proposed 2014-15 Goals ABSTRACT: The Harbor Commission Goals Ad Hoc Committee will review the proposed Commission goals for 2014-15 and will recommend approval. RECOMMENDATION: 1. Approve the Harbor Commission 2014-15 Goals Ad Hoc Committee's recommendation. FUNDING REQUIREMENTS: There is no fiscal impact related to this item. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: Staff recommends the Harbor Commission find 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 Harbor Commission considers the item). Submitted by: 4,1�X-Aly �kix Chris Miller Newport Harbor Commission Objectives FY 2014 - 2015 (Draft for Commission Review, October 13, 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] Page 2 of 2 4) Review current vessel overhang regulations and compliance throughout the harbor and present findings to the Commission. If changes to the overhang regulations or their enforcement are deemed appropriate, present specific recommendations to the City Council. [TBD] 5) Strengthen the Harbor Commission's pubic outreach to better communicate the Commission's role,purpose, and objectives as a citizens' advisory voice for the harbor community. Further this effort by conducting a Commission-organized tour of the harbor for members of the public. [Girling,Avery, Blank] 6) 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] Promoting Newport Harbor as a Preferred and Welcoming Destination 7) Collaborate with Newport Beach & Company to plan and execute a Harbor Summit involving key stakeholders in the harbor community. The Summit will engage the stakeholders in the development of collaborative strategies to enhance the harbor experience for visitors and residents, and better support the businesses that serve all harbor users. [Blank, Girling,West] 8) 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,TBD] 9) 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] 10) 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, TBD] 11) Support the Harbor Resources Staff and City Council in the ongoing evaluation of a potential Harbor Waterbus Service. [West, Girling, Stapelton] 12) Develop and present to City Council the Commission's policy recommendations concerning the operation of water propelled vessels in Newport Harbor [Kenney, TBD]