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HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/2/1997 - Agenda Packet• • Agenda Item No. 11 COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT DATE: August 26,1997 TO: Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission FROM: LaDonna Kienitz, Community Services Director/ City Librarian SUBJECT: Possible Alternate Uses for Las Arenas Park At the City Council session of August 25,1997, the City Council considered the recommendations of the City Council Finance Committee on alternate uses for Marinapark and the other City property contiguous to that parcel, including Las Arenas Park. Alternate uses for that site could eliminate the four tennis courts at that park, two of them lighted. Loss of these courts would decrease that total to 14 the City public courts and decrease access to public courts for Peninsula residents . Commissioner Skoro attended the session and spoke as a private citizen to the public park issues. The Council actions (actual minutes will be available at the Commission meeting) included: • Receive and file the Marinapark Revenue Study. • Authorize staff to begin negotiations with the American Legion to renew their lease. • Authorize staff to prepare a Request for Proposals for development of the City owned property between 1511, and 19th Streets, excluding the American Legion property, including both Scenarios A and B for the Keyser Marston study. • Forward the Boundary's Limited Study to the State Lands Conunission and ask for a written response on the tidelands boundary issues. The Council requested that the RFP be on the agenda on October 27. The staff report prepared for the City Council is attached. A copy of the full • "Revenue Study, Marinapark, Newport Beach" prepared by Keyser Marston Associates, Inc., August 1997, can be provided if you are interested. 0 Agenda Item ii CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH OFFICE ORTHE CITY MANAGER DATE: August 25, 1997 TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council FROM: Peggy Ducey, Assistant to the City Manager SUBJECT: Marinapark Revenue Study BACKGROUND On August 1st, the City Council Finance Committee reviewed the Marinapark economic analysis by Keyser Marston Associates. Attached is the staff report which gives background on the Marina -park property, as well as an overview of the findings by Keyser Marston. Also attached are the draft minutes of the Finance Committee meeting. • After taking testimony from representatives of Marinapark Mobile Home Park and the American Legion, the Finance Committee approved the following motion: • Receive and file the Marinapark Revenue Study; • Authorize staff to begin negotiations with the American Legion to renew their lease; • Authorize staff to prepare a Request for Proposals for development of the City - owned property between 15th and 19th Streets, excluding the American Legion property; • Direct that the existing lessees be given the opportunity to respond to the RFP and propose to remain on the site. • Direct staff to prepare a legal opinion on relocation benefits for Marinapark residents. • Direct staff to prepare an ordinance establishing the tidelands boundary as recommended by Boundaries Unlimited. • Review the financial analysis presented by Marinapark representative Stewart Berkshire and calculate the capital costs necessary for Marinapark if the mobile home lease is renewed. Attachment I is the legal opinion regarding relocation benefits for the mobile home residents. The conclusion of the City Attorney is that the City would not be • obligated to pay relocation benefits to Marinapark residents. '� • Curtis Fossum, Senior Counsel from the State Lands Commission, provided an overview of tidelands regulations to the Finance Committee. The State Lands Commission has reviewed the Boundaries Unlimited study, but has not taken formal action on the report. Mr. Fossum explained that the first step to establish the tidelands boundary would be City Council action designating the location of the boundary. Attachment II is a resolution establishing the tidelands boundary. The City Attorney has advised that a resolution is the appropriate vehicle for this action. At the Finance Committee meeting, Marinapark representative Stewart Berskshire presented the Park's own analysis of the economic value that Marinapark provides to the City. The Committee directed Keyser Marston to review the Marinapark analysis and report back to the City Council. Keyser Marston representative Cal Hollis met with Stewart Berskshire to review the financial analysis and clarify the assumptions used in the analysis. Based on these discussions, Attachment III is Keyser Marston's evaluation of the financial analysis prepared by Marinapark. Attachment IV is a listing of the necessary capital improvements if the Marinapark lease was renewed for an extended period of time. The major project would be the reconstruction of underground gas and electric lines, which currently run under each of the mobile homes. This does not comply with current State mobile home laws, and the utilities would need to be relocated if another long -term lease was approved. Also in need of replacement is the outdoor lighting throughout the Park. • The Park has a laundry /restroom building that would need to be refurbished. The City owns two mobile homes that the Manager and Assistant Manager occupy. The Assistant Manager's coach, which also serves as 'the Park's management office, is a travel trailer that is so old that it cannot efficiently be renovated. A new trailer would need to be purchased. Finally, hardscape (sidewalks, pavement) and landscape (turf replacement) renovation would be required. -The total cost of these capital improvements is estimated at $345,000. The Keyser Marston report used $200,000 as an estimated cost for capital improvements. However, over the fifty year period that revenues are projected, the additional costs would not significantly impact the net present value. RECOMMENDATION • Receive and file the Marinapark Revenue Study; • Authorize staff to begin negotiations with the American Legion to renew their lease; • Authorize staff to prepare a Request for Proposals for development of the City - owned property between 15th and 19th Streets, excluding the American Legion property; • Direct that the existing lessees be given the opportunity to respond to the RFP and propose to remain on the site; • Adopt the resolution establishing the tidelands boundary for the Marinapark area. • Agenda Item _ CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER DATE: August 1, 1997 TO: City Council Finance Committee FROM: Peggy Ducey, Assistant to the City Manager0l SUBJECT: Marinapark Revenue Study BACKGROUND The City currently owns 10.71 acres between 15th and 19th Streets, north of Balboa Boulevard. Originally acquired from the Pacific Electric Land Company in 1919, the property currently hosts the Marinapark Mobile Home Park, the American Legion, the Girl Scout House, and the Balboa Community Center, which houses the Power Squadron. There is also a tot lot, four tennis courts, and a metered parking lot. All • leases will expire on March 31, 2000. The City does not own the southeasterly corner of the property, which is occupied by an Edison sub - station and a commercial building. Specific background on each lease is as follows: MARINAPARK MOBILE HOME PARK: Upon acquisition in 1919, the City operated the property as a visitor campground. In 1945, the City Council approved conversion to a travel trailer park, and ten years later, the conversion to a mobile home park. A City charter amendment was also approved in 1957 mandating that the beach in front of Marinapark would always remain open to public use. In 1972, the Parks, Beaches, and Recreation Commission recommended that the property be converted to public use, thereby eliminating the mobile home park. The reasons cited in the report include the need for consistency with the Tidelands Trust Agreement the City has with the State. Beginning in 1973, the City Council granted two lease extensions that included greater public access provisions to address the need for increased public use. In 1985, the current lease was signed, which contains the following language that acknowledges the City's intent to convert the mobile home park to another use at the end of the lease: SECTION D. The City Council presently intends to convert Marinapark to a public recreation area upon expiration of the lease; SECTION E. The City Council finds that it is in the best interests of the City • of Newport Beach to enter into this Lease because Leasees have agreed that City has the right to convert Marinapark into a public recreation area upon the expiration of this Lease, or 0 • shortly thereafter, other forms of conversion; without payment of relocation benefits or assistance to persons displaced due to Marinapark currently contains sixty mobile home spaces, with two occupied by the on -site managers. Twenty -five spaces front the Bay, and thirty three spaces are located in the interior of the park with some .Bay view. As of last year, there were fifteen full -time residents living at Marinapark; the remaining leasees use their mobile homes as secondary or vacation homes. Current spaces rent from $730 - 1,034 per month, depending on the site location. Based on a recent mobile home park lease survey, this is well below current market value. The Park produces approximately $525,000 annually (1996 -97 budget). The City contracts with Bendetti Management Company to oversee the daily operation of the park. In 1992, the City opened lease negotiations with Marinapark residents. After conducting a market rate comparison of similar mobile home parks, the City proposed an increase to $1,200 - 1,700 per month. Marinapark countered with an offer that did not meet the guidelines established by the City Council. Last year, the City Council directed staff to terminate negotiations -With Marinapark and pursue a comprehensive revenue analysis on the entire property. AMERICAN LEGION: The American Legion, immediately west of the mobile • home park, operates a meeting hall, a marina, a parking lot and a dry boat dock facility. The City signed a twenty -five year lease with the American Legion in 1951, and extended it in 1975 to the current termination date of March, 2000. The American Legion constructed both the Legion Hall and the marina in 1958. The City did not begin to share in the marina /boat storage revenue until 1968, when the construction loans were fully retired. Initially, the City only received 10% of the gross revenues, but in 1975, the City's share of the gross revenues was increased to 40 %. The City now receives $300 per month for the lease on the hall, 40% of the marina gross revenues, 50% of the dry boat storage revenue and 100% of parking revenues, which equates to approximately $100,000 annually. The lease provides all capital improvements to revert to the City upon the end of the lease. States Lands Commission has indicated that the Legion operation is an acceptable use for tidelands area. GIRL SCOUT HOUSE: The City approved the first lease with the Girl Scout Council of Orange County in 1947. The agreement required the Girl Scout Council construct a building on the City's site that would be used for Council - related activities, at a lease rate of $1 per year. The lease was renewed every ten years after the original lease was executed, until 1987 when the lease was extended to the year 2000 to coincide with the other leases on the property. The lease rate has remained $1 per • year since 1947. The lease stipulates that all capital improvements on the property (p t • revert to the City at the termination of the lease, and either party can terminate the lease with twelve months prior written notice. The 3,500 square foot building contains a large meeting room, a fully equipped kitchen, bathroom /shower facilities, storage space, a small office space, and parking. The facility is currently used for troop and adult volunteer meetings, summer day camps, and overnight camping on weekends. BALBOA COMMUNITY CENTER: This building formerly housed the Nautical Museum. Currently, the City provides recreation classes at the Center, as well as a small office for the Balboa Power Squadron, a small community based group. TOT LOT /TENNIS COURTS /PARKING LOT: In the late 1950s, the City constructed Las Arenas Park and two of the public tennis courts. Over the years, an additional two tennis courts and a "tot lot" were constructed. There is a metered parking lot at the southwest corner of the property. The lot has 49Airp spaces and generates $22,000 annually. DISCUSSION The City's Income Property Policy requires that prior to beginning lease negotiations, an analysis of the highest economic use for the property be conducted. Based on this • policy, the City retained Keyser Marston Associates to perform an economic analysis of the entire City -owned area. The City also retained Fuller and Associates to perform an appraisal on the property. To complete the appraisal, the question of whether the property was tidelands needed to be resolved, since a tidelands designation would restrict sale of the property, per current State law. The City retained Boundaries Unlimited to review the tidelands boundary issue. Using ,accepted boundary determination practices and based on an analysis of historical surveys, maps, photographs, deeds and other records, the final report recommends the 1889 U.S. General Land Office meander line by S.H. Finley as the tideland boundary for the subject property. This line travels east to west across the length of the property, dividing it into approximately two - thirds tidelands and one - third uplands. State Lands Commission staff has reviewed the report, but has not taken formal action to establish the tidelands boundary. Once the tidelands report was complete, both the appraisal and the economic analysis were based on the proposed boundary line. The most significant tidelands - related issue is the existing residential use by Marinapark. Tidelands regulations require visitor serving uses on tidelands property. State Lands Commission has interpreted permanent residential uses as inconsistent with tidelands regulations. Barring special State legislation, Marinapark cannot remain on the property. State Lands Commission staff will be available to answer questions about tidelands • regulations at the Finance Committee meeting. • Attached is the Keyser Marston report, which includes an Executive Summary of the findings. Briefly, the report evaluates six residential and commercial land uses for the site and estimates the land rent and other associated tax revenues that the City would realize from each use. The six uses are restaurant, hotel, commercial/ retail, rental housing, ownership housing, and parking. A visiting marina use was also discussed, however, a detailed economic analysis on this use was not presented. The revenues for each land use are then presented as the estimated revenues per square foot of use. For example, a hotel use is estimated to produce $63 per square foot of developed area. Overall, hotel and ownership housing (on the uplands portion of the site) represent the highest revenue potential, followed closely by restaurant uses. Once the land use revenues were quantified, the report presents three different development scenarios: Baseline Scenario - Assumes current uses, with mobile home park and marina rents increased to market. Annual estimated net revenues are $821,000 with a net present value of $8.8 million. Scenario A - Assumes partial reconstruction where the mobile home park is eliminated and replaced by hotel and restaurant uses. All other existing • uses remain and the marina is increased to market rate rent. Annual estimated net revenues are $1,044,000 with a net present value of $11.6 million. Scenario B - Assumes all existing uses except the American Legion are eliminated. Uplands property on Balboa Boulevard is ownership housing, and the tidelands portion is developed with hotel and restaurant uses. The marina is increased to market rate rent. Annual estimated net revenues are $1,378,000 with a net present value of $15.9 million. The Keyser Marston report is based on their analysis of the current performance on the Peninsula of the six land uses. Based on current and anticipated market conditions, it is expected that the Marinapark location would attract significant interest for the identified land uses, and those uses would produce the revenues as calculated. To verify that the demand does in fact exist on the site, the City could develop a "Request for Proposals" (RFP) to solicit specific proposals for the site. The RFP would delineate specific development criteria, including acceptable land uses, density, parking requirements, height limitations and design/ aesthetic considerations so that proposed projects would satisfy the City's economic objectives and value to the neighboring community as well. As part of this RFP process, the existing leasees could also be given an opportunity to present their own proposal to remain on the site. This would permit the City to evaluate any new development • proposal against the current leasees' best economic offer, provided that the non- conforming tidelands uses obtain State legislation to permit them to stay. I ') n • RECOMMENDATION That the Finance Committee recommend to the City Council to: 0 • I r `' ' 1. Receive and file the Marinapark Revenue Study; 2. Authorize staff to begin negotiations with the American Legion to renew their lease; 3. Authorize staff to prepare a Request for Proposals for development of the City- owned property between 15th and 19th Streets, excluding the American Legion property; 4. Direct that the existing leasees be given the opportunity to respond to the RFP and propose to remain on the site. C • ORAFT INENUTES . CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH FINANCE COADUTTEE August 1, 1997 The City of Newport Beach Finance Committee met at 4:05 p.m., Friday, August 1, 1997, in the Council Chambers, 3300 Newport Blvd., Newport Beach, CA 92663. 1. ROLL CALL Those in attendance were: • Chairperson Norma Glover, Mayor Jan Debay and Councilmember John Hedges. • City Manager Kevin Murphy, Administrative Services Director Dennis Danner, Administrative Services Deputy Director Dick Kurth and Secretary Cathy Fisher. 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments at this time. r.7 3. DISCUSSION ITEMS �� A. Marinapark Highest & Best Use Study About 35 members from the public were present for the discussion on the Marinapark study. Also available for the -discussion were Assistant City Manager Sharon Wood, City Attorney Bob Burnham, Assistant to the City Manager Peggy Ducey, Fire & Marine Chief Tim Riley, Deputy Fire & Marine Chief Tony Melum, and Community Services Director LaDonna Kienitz. The discussion began with some opening comments by Chairperson Glover. Chairperson Glover reviewed the purpose of the meeting and the procedure to be followed, as well as the policies affecting the City's action. Assistant to the City Manager Ducey provided an overview of the current leasees on the site, which include the Marinapark Mobile Home Park, the American Legion Hall and marina, the Girl Scout House, the Balboa Community Center and a tot lot/tennis courts /parking lot area. Assistant to the City Manager Ducey said the City retained Keyser Marston Associates to perform an economic analysis of the site. This study also dovetailed with a review of the tidelands boundary issue. Cal Hollis, Senior Principal of Keyser Marston, said his firm was hired to determine the • highest revenue generating uses of the site. He utilized information and charts in the Marinapark Revenue Study report to summarize the methodology and findings. Using an (n� i Finance .,,e 2 Committee Minutes ORA Fr Page 2 . estimated present value of revenues per square foot for the land uses considered, three scenarios were developed (status quo, partial reconstruction and major redevelopment) and the revenues for each scenario were reviewed. Redevelopment would maximize the City revenues. Curtis Fossum, Senior Counsel for the State Lands Commission, discussed the tidelands boundary issue, stating that it is currently unresolved. Boundaries Unlimited prepared a report on the Recommended Tideland Boundary and concluded that the 1889 Finley meander line is the best evidence of the ordinary high watermark and tideland boundary. He recommended that the City get a clear title policy by initiating a hearing with the State Lands Commission. Tidelands must be used for public purposes, either regional, or better - statewide. Written questions were answered from the audience. Bob Wynn was then given the opportunity to speak on behalf of the Marinapark residents. He provided a Position Summary from the Marinapark Association, and went over the five points it addressed. He discussed the financial return to the City from Marinapark, and the different present value per square foot that their analysis revealed. He also provided other in on the benefits of not replacing Marinapark - that it is • guaranteed revenue compared to a hotel, and that it is consistent with the general plan. Mr. Hollis briefly referred to Tables 8 and 12 of the Keyser Marston study to clarify some of the findings of their report. He stated that the mobile home park was not included in either the partial reconstruction or the major redevelopment scenarios, because the study assumed that housing is not a permitted use of tidelands. Stewart Berkshire then spoke as a continuation of Mr. Wynn's presentation. Mr. Berkshire provided the detail behind his analysis that the Marinapark mobile home park has a present value per square foot of $55.14, not $24.00 as concluded in the Keyser Marston study. Don Donaldson with the American Legion Corporation spoke briefly about their relationship with the City. He stated that the American Legion Corporation agrees with the staff recommendation that the City Council approve that the City begin negotiations to renew their lease. Councilmember John Hedges made a motion that the Finance Committee recommend to the City Council to: • Receive and file the Marinapark Revenue Study. • • Authorize staff to begin negotiations with the American Legion to renew their lease. �� D� W1 Finance Committee Minutes DRAFT Page 3 • • Authorize staff to prepare a Request for Proposals for development of the City -owned property between 15th and 19th Streets, excluding the American Legion property. • Direct that the existing leasees be given the opportunity to respond to the RFP and propose to remain on the site. • Direct staff to prepare a legal opinion on relocation benefits for Marinapark residents. • Direct staff to prepare an ordinance establishing the tidelands boundaries as recommended by Boundaries Unlimited. • Review the financial analysis presented by Marinapark representative Stewart Berkshire and calculate the capital costs necessary for Marinapark if the mobile home lease is renewed. • • f„ The motion was approved by a vote of 3 Yes, 0 No. This item is expected to come before the City Council at their regularly scheduled meeting of August 25, 1997. B. Other Budgetary Matters No other budgetary matters were discussed at this time. 4. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Not discussed at this time. 5. ADJOURNMENT The Finance Committee adjourned at 6:00 p.m. Filed with these minutes are copies of all material distributed at the meeting. Attest: Dennis C. Danner Administrative Services Director Date t Attachment I is CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY August 20, 1997 TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council FROM: Robert H. Burnham, City Attorney RE: MARINAPARK RELOCATION BENEFITS The Finance Committee has asked this office to provide a legal opinion on the obligation, if any, of the City Council to pay relocation benefits or other consideration to Marinapark residents assuming the property is converted to another use upon expiration of the current lease (March 15, 2000). In our opinion, the City Council would not be obligated to pay relocation benefits. • The sole statutory provision relevant to the issue of relocation benefits is Section 65863.7 of the Government Code. That Section requires an entity proposing to convert a mobile home park to another use to prepare and file: "...a report on the impact of the conversion, closure, or cessation of use upon the displaced residents of the mobile home park to be converted or closed." (65863.7(a) of the Government Code) The City Council is required to review the report prior to any conversion of the mobile home park and "may require" mitigation of adverse impact on the residents. The mitigation "shall not exceed the reasonable cost of relocation." In summary, Section 65863.7 of the Government Code authorizes, but does not require, the City Council to mitigate the impact of conversion so long as the mitigation does not exceed the reasonable cost of relocation. The Marinapark lease contains a specific waiver of the lessee's right to receive "relocation benefits, or any other form of relocation assistance or other payment or consideration" related to a number of factors including (1) the conversion of the premises to a public recreational use, (2) the termination of lessee's tenancy pursuant to the • lease,(3) the displacement of lessee from his /her primary residence, or (4) any Federal, State or local law which requires mitigation of impacts caused by displacement. The lease also clearly states that the City's, commitment to preserve the residential use of the �n� • property until .March 15, 2000 constitutes "full and adequate mitigation of any adverse impact of the proposed conversion on lessee" and "gives lessee sufficient time to secure, adequate replacement space in another mobile home park..." A representative for Marinapark has expressed the opinion that the waiver of relocation benefits is tied to conversion to a "public recreational use" and there is language in the lease to that effect. However, the provisions of the lease that operate as a waiver of relocation 'benefits or assistance are, as indicated above, not limited to such conversion. We have not been asked to, and do not, render an opinion as to whether payment of relocation benefits pursuant to Section 65863.7 of the Government Code would, in light of the waiver provisions in the lease, constitute a gift of public funds. Robert H. Burnham City Attorney WWOT F: \cat \ccmemo W1Pre Ioca.doc • Attachment II • RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH ESTABLISHING THE TIDELANDS BOUNDARY ALONG THE BAYWARD SIDE OF BALBOA PENINSULA BETWEEN 15TH STREET AND 18TH STREET. WHEREAS The City owns the property between 15th Street and 18th Street, bayward of Balboa Boulevard, which is currently occupied by the American Legion, Marinapark Mobile Home Park, the Girl Scout House, the Balboa Community Center, along with some recreational facilities; and WHEREAS, tidelands and submerged lands of Newport Bay were ,granted in trust by the State Legislature to Newport Beach in 1919; and WHEREAS, the City retained Boundaries Unlimited to recommend a location of the tideland boundary, based on accepted boundary determination principles and practice; and WHEREAS, the tideland boundary in Newport Beach is the ordinary high water mark as set forth in Section 830 of the California Civil Code and • the ordinary high water mark in the tidal estuary under natural conditions corresponds to the intersection on the ground of the tidal height of mean high water; and WHEREAS, Boundaries Unlimited has recommended the 1889 Finley meander line as the tidelands boundary for the subject area. • --10 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Newport Beach that the 1889 Finley meander line be established as the tidelands boundary for the property between 15th Street and 18th Street, bayward of Balboa Boulevard. ADOPTED this _ day of 1997. ATTEST: CITY CLERK MAYOR Ll • -1 I Attachment IV Cost Estimates for Capital Improvements for Marinapark: Relocation of Gas /Electric Utilities $200,000 Park Outdoor Lighting 40,000 Sidewalks/ Parking Lot and Street Pavement 40,000 Manager's Mobile Home /Park Office 50,000 Repair of Laundry Room 15,000 TOTAL $345,000 11 REVENUE STUDY MARINAPARK NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA 0 Prepared for: THE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH 0 AUGUST 1997 Item 12 • JOINT MEETING COSTA MESA PARKS, RECREATION FACILITIES AND PARKWAYS COMMISSION AND NEWPORT BEACH PARKS, BEACHES AND RECREATION COMMISSION September 23, 1997, 6:00 p.m. Central Library, 1000 Avocado Avenue, Newport Beach Agenda 1. Call to Order 2. Relationship with Newport -Mesa Unified School District S. Non - Resident Issues 4. Youth Sports Commissions of City • Support of groups /relationship 5. Youth Programs Conducted by City Staff 6. Maintenance of Athletic Fields • 7. Youth Council or Teen Programs E Item II • JOINT MEETING COSTA MESA PARKS, RECREATION FACILITIES AND PARKWAYS COMMISSION AND NEWPORT BEACH PARKS, BEACHES AND RECREATION COMMISSION Tuesday, September 23, 1997 Central Library, 1000 Avocado Avenue; Newport Beach Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m. Roll call was taken. City of Newport Beach Commissioners Bill Schonlau, Pat Beek, Malcolm Dunn, Val Skoro, Phil Glasgow, Don Pfaff, and City of Costa Mesa Commissioners Michael Dunlevie, Mark Harris, Chris Sarris, Felix Posos, David Stiller, Mike Scheafer, Richard Mehren, and City of Newport Beach staff members LaDonna Kienitz, Marcy Lomeli and Steve Hunt and City of Costa Mesa staff member Keith Van Holt were present. Item #8 was unanimously deleted from the agenda. 2. Public Comments - None 3. Shared Use with Newport-Mesa Unified School District, • Shared Use of Citv Facilities - it -- City of Costa sta Mesa will research any availability on their fields. There would be no opportunity for softball. There might be availability for adult basketball on Saturdays, however, City of Newport Beach adult basketball is not scheduled on Saturdays. Following- discussion, the consensus was that both cities face the same facility issues. Field Costs and Maintenance Costs The City of Costa Mesa's City Council annually approves fees. There is no non - resident fee charged for team sports and non - residents can only participate if the league is not filled by residents. The City of Newport Beach has a mandated 85% recovery of all programs, including youth programs. 4. Improvement of Landscaping on Irvine Avenue Median At last year's joint meeting it was agreed that both cities would try to obtain funding, for the joint project. Since the City of Newport Beach did not appropriate funds, the City of Costa Mesa did not budget for the project. Comments during discussion included closing some of the medians and implementing a traffic master plan for,both cities and the connecting streets. • The first phase of the proposed median project, was estimated at $1. 25,000 and would possibly include the area from 17' Street to Mariners Drive; the total • project is estimated at over $1 million. The City of Costa Mesa pointed' out a median joint venture is not a high priority and they would need additional data to research the project. The City of Newport Beach advised, they will send a staff report and copy of their capital improvement action to the City of Costa Mesa. It was also decided to check with utility companies to determine, if there are any plans for future work in this area. • • \v 5. Parkway Tree Issues in the Respective Cities Newport Beach's new G -1 Policy was discussed, which establishes criteria for removal of street trees. There was interest expressed in providing continuity for trees which cross the two city's borders. The City of Costa Mesa's policies are similar to those of Newport Beach and include a "Convenient Removal" policy. The,joint Commissions agreed to exchange street tree lists and requested Marcy Lomeli to inform Costa Mesa staff of any future changes in street tree designations bordering the City of Costa Mesa. 6. Explosion of Youth Sports Programs Both Newport Beach and Costa .Mesa have an explosion of youth sport, participants and fields are already too crowded. Costa Mesa recently purchased land (The "Farm ") for developing fields, which is anticipated to be ready for play September 1998. Both cities face the same problems, such as field space, lighting and maintenance. There was a discussion of the ways in which they can "piggyback" in order to maintain their fields for -maximum use, such as contract aerification, top dressing and fertilization. During discussion it was suggested that promotion of new lighting technologies be communicated to the public. Towards this goal, Newport Beach plans to showcase re- lighting at Grant Howald Park when funds are appropriated for that project. Policy on Food Giveaways The use of Lion's Park in Costa Mesa for food giveaways on weekends when the other agencies do not provide meals was discussed. Costa Mesa's park rangers are monitoring the situation and providing input to their Commission. -It was suggested that the cities jointly pursue facilities that they can share to provide food for the homeless. 8. Removed from Aoenda 9. Adjournment There being no further business, the joint meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.