HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-04-08_BVAC_Minutes_Approved CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
BALBOA VILLAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
Location: ExplorOcean
600 East Bay Avenue
Wednesday, April 8, 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
Gloria Oakes, Balboa Peninsula Point Association (excused)
Ralph Rodheim, Balboa Village Merchant Association
Grace Dove, Central Newport Beach Community Association
Tom Pollack, ExplorOcean Representative
Jim Stratton, At-Large Representative
Staff Members:
Kimberly Brandt, Community Development Director
Brenda Wisneski, Deputy Community Development Director
Tony Brine, City Traffic Engineer
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.
Jim Mosher commented on minutes reflecting that City Council would consider BVAC's
recommendations on the fagade improvement program funding on March 10th, and noted
that it was pulled from the agenda twice. In reply to his inquiry, Mayor Pro Tem Dixon
reported that it will be considered by Council on Tuesday, April 14, 2015. She added that
staff was working on clarification of funding sources.
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 MARCH 11, 2015 (ATTACHMENT 1)
Recommended Action: Approve March 11, 2015 Minutes.
Mayor Pro Tem Dixon opened public comments for this item.
Jim Mosher commented positively regarding the minutes but stated that the public has a
right to know who voted "yes" or "no" on decisions made by the Committee and
suggested that rather than using "concurred" it be stated that the Committee voted,
unanimously.
Associate Planner Fern Nueno noted that different language can be used and explained
that there was no official vote or action taken, but rather, there was consensus or
agreement by the Committee.
Mayor Pro Tem Dixon closed public comments.
Action: Committee Member Pollack moved to approve the minutes of the March 11,
2015 meeting, as amended, and Committee Member Dove seconded the motion.
The motion passed 5-0, with Council Member Petros abstaining and Committee
Member Oakes absent.
Item No. 3 was heard at this juncture and Item No. 2 was heard, subsequently.
3. RP3 SURVEY AND OTHER GENERAL UPDATES
Recommended Action: Report only. No formal action required.
Associate Planner Fern Nueno provided a staff report noting that many of the ballots were
not returned and many were returned but marked "undeliverable." She addressed a
second mailing, total ballots received, percentage of responses, and survey results.
Another update will be provided at the next BVAC meeting.
Discussion followed regarding the need for clarification by the City Attorney that the
process is in compliance with election law and evaluation of results on a street-by-street
basis. It was noted that the City's goal was accomplished in terms of responses received.
Ensuing discussion pertained to concerns with the size of the overall district, whether
there is greater support within a more-focused area, the possibility of adjusting
boundaries, review of the data geographically and street by street results, total number of
ballots sent out, total number of responses received, and possible phasing of the
program.
Discussion followed regarding a financial analysis including costs and fines, and providing
that information when it is presented to Council for increased understanding.
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Mayor Pro Tem Dixon invited comments from the public.
Howard Hall commented on the areas addressed under Phases 1 and 2. He opined that
Phase 1 will create problems along Island Avenue and Bay Island.
Mayor Pro Tem Dixon closed public comments.
Committee Member Stratton explained that the matter would come up for a vote in a year
and that Council has the authority to determine whether it would be enacted for the rest of
the streets.
It was noted that Phase 2 would be implemented as needed.
Deputy Community Development Director Wisneski announced that City Council action
on the fapade program funding is scheduled for Council's meeting of April 14th. The
matter will be heard on Council's regular meeting agenda.
2. SHUTTLE PROGRAM (ATTACHMENT 2)
Recommended Action: Discuss and provide direction on developing a
proposed shuttle program.
Deputy Community Development Director Wisneski presented a staff report addressing
details of similar programs in surrounding cities, funding sources, timetable and schedule,
and contracting with a transit operator.
Discussion followed regarding the possibility of using Orange County Transportation
Authority (OCTA) grants and Measure M funds and participation by the hospitality
industry.
Deputy Community Development Director Wisneski reported that the City has the option
to market it and addressed using transient occupancy tax (TOT) funds.
Ensuing discussion followed regarding outsourcing operations, operating during summer
weekends only and focusing on visitors.
Council Member Petros reported that the City of Laguna Beach rolled out their program
on a trial basis.
Deputy Community Development Director Wisneski reported that the majority of the
program is grant-funded and that the City pays a small portion.
Discussion followed regarding parking for the blue route shown on the PowerPoint.
Deputy Community Development Director Wisneski continued with the presentation
addressing using parking revenue to fund the program, the need for a feasibility study,
the need to seek a remote parking lot, and the possibility of going further than the
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Peninsula.
Council Member Petros noted that such a program existed, but was unsuccessful on the
Peninsula as there was not enough ridership. He suggested taking "baby steps."
Discussion continued regarding the role played by OCTA, targeting a remote parking lot,
other grant programs, and the timing for OCTA grant applications.
Committee Member Rodheim stated he would support hiring a consultant for a feasibility
study. He addressed stakeholders, discussion by the Merchants Association, involving
Irvine Company and the Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce, considering special
events, and allocating the necessary funds to move forward.
Committee Member Dove commented on various shuttle programs that have come and
gone, addressed challenges with fishermen and the Catalina Flyer, and noted that the
problem is remote parking.
Council Member Petros stated that the project needs a fresh set of eyes and addressed
the need to understand the history of the matter. He reported that parking supply is not
an issue 90 percent of the time and referenced the latest Nelson\Nygaard study. He
further noted the need to also understand why the City is doing this, what the goals are,
the purpose of the shuttle, and what it is intended to relieve. In terms of funding, he
believes that staff can get more creative and listed other possible funding opportunities
(e.g., air quality or sustainable funds).
Committee Member Pollack commented on achieving broad-based funding, amenities,
professional standards of beach cities that run similar programs, and things in play that
were not in play in the past.
Council Member Petros commented on the ULI recommendations and the possibility of a
private/public partnership.
Committee Member Rodheim commented on the makeup of the Village and suggested
that the consultant consider amenities but also the economic impacts that the program
may solve.
Committee Member Dove commented on congestion related to people visiting the beach
and not being able to load their gear on the shuttle.
Mayor Pro Tem Dixon invited comments from the public.
Pua Weran reported that no one knew about the red shuttle service and noted the need
for increased education and accessibility.
Mayor Pro Tem Dixon agreed that marketing is key.
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Howard Hall expressed concerns that the consultant stated there were only two (2) busy
weekends, and noted that most summer weekends are busy and the area was already
impacted this year starting in March. He noted the importance of flexibility in terms of
scheduling.
Mayor Pro Tem Dixon closed public comments.
Discussion followed regarding assessing impacts by fishermen and the Catalina Flyer,
availability of parking for marine activities, enforcement, parking requirements, areas for
similar programs in surrounding cities, getting funding through City Council, Coastal
Commission support, budget adjustments requiring Council action, and next steps.
Council Member Petros stated he would prefer going to City Council first, to ensure there
is a desire to move forward with the program.
Action: Council Member Petros moved to recommend to City Council, approval of
funding for a feasibility study with the intent that staff would prepare an RFP upon
approval by Council to fund it. Committee Member Pollack seconded the motion.
Discussion followed regarding phrasing and Council Member Petros suggested noting
that it is a transit question that originated on the Peninsula.
Action: The motion passed unanimously (6-0) with Committee Member Oakes
absent.
Committee Member Dove added that the consultant needs to identify a parking area.
Brief discussion followed regarding the importance of the character of the shuttle.
IV. PUBLIC COMMENT
Janis Dinwiddie commented on Coastal Commission, overnight parking, and access to
the water.
Committee Member Rodheim announced the start of the Newport to Ensenada Race on
April 19th and listed related events. He encouraged residents to attend.
V. ADJOURNMENT (Meeting End Time: 5:30 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: May 13, 2015, at 4:00 p.m.
BVAC Minutes 2015-04-08
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