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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-03-11_BVAC_Minutes_Approved CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH BALBOA VILLAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES Location: ExplorOcean 600 East Bay Avenue Wednesday, March 11, 2015 - 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER Mayor Pro Tem Dixon called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m. The following persons were in attendance: Balboa Village Advisory Committee Members: Diane Dixon, Mayor Pro Tem (Chair) Tony Petros, Council Member (Absent/Excused) Gloria Oakes, Balboa Peninsula Point Association (Absent/Excused) Ralph Rodheim, Balboa Village Merchant Association Grace Dove, Central Newport Beach Community Association Tom Pollack, ExplorOcean Representative Jim Stratton, At-Large Representative — (Arrived at 4:07 p.m.) Staff Members: Brenda Wisneski, Deputy Community Development Director Tony Brine, City Traffic Engineer Jim Campbell, Principal Planner Fern Nueno, Associate Planner II. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS (comments limited to 3 minutes) Interested parties were invited to address the Committee on Non-Agendized Items. Howard Hall spoke regarding the overnight permit parking program and referenced an article in the Daily Pilot where the program was being compared to the Newport Heights daily parking permit program. He noted that the two (2) programs are not comparable. Additionally, he commented that an appointed representative of the City made a claim in the article, which he finds deplorable because the representative is supposed to represent all of the people at large. He further commented on the article's comparison of the cost of the program to that of a meal. He opined that the cost was not the real issue and that it deflects from the real issue of the size of the target district and that the statements are misleading. Terri Pasquale announced the Newport-to-Ensenada kickoff event on April 19, 2015. She 1 reported there will be a Chalk Art exhibit in conjunction with the event and provided information for sponsors. Bill Dildine spoke regarding the recent Council meeting and their consideration of Capital Improvement Projects relative to the Balboa Fine Arts Center. At-Large Representative Jim Stratton arrived at this juncture. (4:07 p.m.) Mayor Pro Tem Dixon reported that Capital Improvement Projects are moving forward. There being no others wishing to address the Committee, Mayor Pro Tem Dixon closed the Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items portion of the meeting. III. ITEMS FOR REVIEW 1. MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 11, 2015 (ATTACHMENT 1) Recommended Action: Approve February 11, 2015 Minutes. Mayor Pro Tem Dixon opened public comments for this item. Mayor Pro Tem Dixon closed public comments. Action: Committee Member Rodheim moved to approve the minutes of the February 11, 2015 meeting, as submitted. Committee Member Pollack seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0, with Committee Member Oakes and Council Member Petros absent. 2. RP3 SURVEY PRELIMINARY SURVEY RESULTS Recommended Action: Report only. No formal action required. Principal Planner Jim Campbell presented a staff report addressing preliminary survey results and strategies moving forward that included a second ballot and hand delivery of ballots returned by the postal service as undeliverable. Discussion followed regarding sending ballots to property owners and tenants, differentiating between owners and tenants, eliminating duplicates, important statistics, counting household units, and next steps. Discussion continued regarding the goal of achieving a higher participation rate in the balloting, the purpose of the code, the definition of "majority," and informing the City Council on what residents want. Mayor Pro Tem Dixon noted that this will be resolved at the City Council level with the input of the City Attorney. She added that the advisory ballot will gauge the support of the community, one way or the other. 2 Brief discussion followed regarding the timing of a second round of balloting and responding to Council's request for improved citizen participation. Howard Hall commented positively on the way the ballots were mailed out. 3. GATEWAY SIGN DESIGN UPDATE (ATTACHMENT 2) Recommended Action: Finalize design. Deputy Community Development Director Wisneski provided a staff report addressing revisions made at the last BVAC meeting. She presented examples of the concepts and addressed next steps. Discussion followed regarding the possibility of lighting the banner, having the lanterns on the gateway sign illuminate the walkway and the possibility of a fall event hosted by the Balboa Village Merchants Association. It was noted that they would like to coordinate the timing with the ground breaking of the new gateway sign. Deputy Community Development Director Wisneski reported that construction will begin after Labor Day. It was noted that it could either be the ground breaking or the unveiling. The Committee discussed enlarging the logo in the center to five (5) feet. Mayor Pro Tem Dixon opened public comments. Wayne Zippi spoke regarding liability, asked about the construction schedule and the free- standing clock that was part of the original design and not constructed. Deputy Community Development Director Wisneski noted that there are funds in the budget and therefore, the City will build it. Tom O'Laughlin commented positively on the arch but felt that it is too small. Bill Dildine spoke regarding the size of the lettering and emblem. Mayor Pro Tem Dixon closed public comments. City Traffic Engineer Tony Brine spoke regarding the use of LED lighting and recommended taking out the LED lights along the bottom of the sign. The Committee concurred to include the stars and clams. Discussion followed regarding the medallion and the possibility of having it illuminated at night so that it can be seen, the sign location, next steps for the BVAC, and the construction schedule. 3 Deputy Community Development Director Wisneski reported that the item will be turned over to Public Works to proceed with construction. Staff will provide the BVAC with a construction schedule once the project has been approved by Council. Mayor Pro Tem Dixon commented on the grand opening of Marina Park, the first Saturday in December. 4. FACADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FUNDING UPDATE Recommended Action: Report on Council action. No action required. Deputy Community Development Director Wisneski reported that staff chose to pull the item from the recent City Council meeting as funding will be provided from a different source than originally planned. She foresaw Council approving the funding at its next meeting and hoped to have applications in April. Discussion followed regarding communications and marketing, community outreach, the possibility of a town hall meeting and prioritizing applications. It was noted that grants will be awarded on a first-come-first-serve basis. Discussion continued regarding qualifying criteria, participating in an agreement with the City, and enforcement. Committee Member Stratton expressed excitement at seeing these projects come to fruition. Mayor Pro Tem Dixon invited Committee Member Stratton to attend the next City Council meeting to share his comments with Council. Mayor Pro Tem Dixon opened public comments. Bill Dildine spoke regarding the use of state monies or grants. Jim Mosher spoke regarding the repainting of the drugstore sign. Wayne Zippi spoke regarding tree lighting during the Christmas Holiday. Mayor Pro Tem Dixon closed public comments. It was noted that signage is included in the program. No action required. 4 5. 2015 SCHEDULE Recommended Action: Confirm quarterly meeting schedule, or as determined by the Chair. Deputy Community Development Director Wisneski commented on the accomplishments of BVAC and suggested that the Committee meet quarterly. Mayor Pro Tem Dixon opined that before the completion of the RP3 project, the Committee should meet monthly. Discussion followed regarding the possibility of the Committee considering transportation to and from the Village, supporting economic revitalization, the possibility of implementing a shuttle service to and from the Village, the need for increased public parking, and next steps. Mayor Pro Tem Dixon opened public comments. Mayor Pro Tem Dixon closed public comments. The Committee concurred to continue to meet monthly. IV. PUBLIC COMMENT - None V. ADJOURNMENT (Meeting End Time: 5:00 p.m.) There being no further business to come before the Balboa Village Advisory Committee, Mayor Pro Tem Dixon adjourned the meeting at 5:00 p.m. Next Meeting Date: April 8, 2015, at 4:00 p.m. 5