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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-07-08_BVAC_Minutes_Approved CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH BALBOA VILLAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES Location: ExplorOcean 600 East Bay Avenue Wednesday, July 8, 2015 - 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER Council Member Petros called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. The following persons were in attendance: Balboa Village Advisory Committee Members: Diane Dixon, Mayor Pro Tem (Chair) (ABSENT) Tony Petros, Council Member Gloria Oakes, Balboa Peninsula Point Association Ralph Rodheim, Balboa Village Merchant Association (ABSENT) 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. Nathan Donnell, Park Mobile, commented on services provided by his company including a pay-by-cell program for parking and a validation program for local merchants. W.R. Dildine recommended that Park Mobile attend the upcoming Balboa Village Merchants Association (BVMA) meeting on Tuesday, July 14, 2015, in the morning. Howard Hall commented about the voting process regarding the parking program and noted that the matter of people parking in residential streets to avoid meters is not appropriately addressed. Jim Mosher commented on the expansion of ExplorOcean and asked about the status of BVAC Minutes 07/08/2015 Page 1 the project. Associate Planner Fern Nueno reported that the BVMA is considering rebranding the Village to "Old Town Balboa" instead of Balboa Village and the possibility of changing signs to reflect same. Marcel Ford, President of the Balboa Village Merchants Association, addressed developing an identity for the Village and presented details of the "Old Town" concept. The gateway sign would be on hold until confirmation of the concept. Associate Planner Nueno added that the matter can be placed on a future agenda if the Committee so directs. Council Member Petros noted that Council has already adopted a budget that includes the gateway sign as part of the Capital Improvement Project for 2015 and wondered about Council's responsibility. Deputy Community Development Director Brenda Wisneski reported that Council has not reviewed the design. Council Member Petros asked that if the Committee directs staff to bring the matter forward for reconsideration, staff provide Council with an update. Committee Member Stratton wondered whether it is prudent to change the name at this time. He suggested naming it "Old Town Balboa Village." Committee Member Dove commented positively on the idea and differentiating the area from other parts of town. She suggested "Old Town Balboa" or "Old Balboa." Council Member Petros noted that the Committee is not being asked to approve a name, but rather to hold off on an entry sign to accommodate the name generated by the Merchants Association. The Committee concurred to direct staff to place the item on the Committee's next meeting agenda. Discussion followed regarding the status of the Balboa Fun Zone. Council Member Petros asked staff to provide general information regarding the expansion of ExplorOcean at the next meeting. III. ITEMS FOR REVIEW 1. MINUTES OF JUNE 10, 2015 (ATTACHMENT 1) Recommended Action: Approve June 10, 2015 Minutes. BVAC Minutes 07/08/2015 Page 2 Council Member Petros opened public comments for this item. Council Member Petros closed public comments. Action: Committee Member Stratton moved to approve the minutes of the June 10, 2015, meeting, as presented. Committee Member Pollack seconded the motion. The motion passed 3-0, with Council Member Petros and Committee Member Dove, abstaining. 2. SHUTTLE UPDATE (ATTACHMENT 2) Recommended Action: Receive update and provide direction, as needed. Consultant Dan Boyle, Dan Boyle and Associates, provided an update regarding the proposed shuttle, addressing purposes and goals, community outreach, markets, vision of what the shuttle will accomplish, obstacles and challenges, and next steps. Discussion followed regarding whether Hoag Hospital is amenable to the concept of using the lot for remote shuttle parking, whether other parking lot owners have been contacted, and OCTA funding. Council Member Petros noted that he appreciated the memo, but that he took exception to the primary purpose and goal of the shuttle to improve traffic circulation. He encouraged Mr. Boyle to visit Laguna Beach on a Saturday night and get behind one of the trolleys noting that queue formation behind the trolleys is horrendous as well as the effect they have on intersections and on stops. He suggested that the City's goal may be to provide a modal choice. Additionally, he noted the need to ensure that the vehicles use alternative fuel and maintain a 15-minute headway. He stated he would be interested in receiving a subsequent report including information regarding how the City of Laguna Beach has dealt with funding. Council Member Petros commented on Hoag Hospital's lack of response and stated that parking should be prioritized based on property owned by the City such as Lower Castaways and the lot behind Avon Street. Council Member Petros opened public comments. Janis Dinwiddie commented on the Boat Parade and reported that Hoag Hospital contracts the Superior lot to an outside parking company that manages the parking structures and shuttle buses. Marcel Ford commented on OCTA funding sources and wondered if they would need to manage the program if they fund it. Jim Mosher asked about the status of the free, private shuttle service in Lido Village. Deputy Community Development Director Wisneski reported they have not begun operating as they are in the process of getting their operator's license through the City. BVAC Minutes 07/08/2015 Page 3 Jim Mosher suggested the Committee would be wise in monitoring that process and commented on the use of the term "stakeholders." Council Member Petros closed public comments. Council Member Petros commented on the implementation of "Polly the Trolley" as another source that could be used as a reference. Committee Member Pollack suggested reviewing standards for usual and customary services of trolleys in other cities as well as their funding sources. Council Member Petros reported that Mayor Pro Tem Dixon is representing the City at a Sister Cities event in France. 3. RESIDENTIAL PERMIT PARKING PROGRAM/RP3 (ATTACHMENT 3) Recommended Action: Receive and file final map. Associate Planner Nueno provided a status update on the Residential Permit Parking Program (RP3). She noted that the direction provided at a previous meeting was to proceed with a two-phased approach and referenced a revised map included in the agenda packet to be presented to the City Council. Discussion followed regarding what boundaries the committee approved at the last meeting and extending the permit to specific boundaries. Ensuing discussion continued regarding the possibility of placing the matter on the agenda for the next Committee meeting and postponing Council's consideration. Council Member Petros opened public comments. Howard Hall commented on the boundary for Phase 1 going as far as Medina Way and addressed Phase 2. He added that the required yes/no vote fails to indicate the reasoning behind the various options. W.R. Dildine stated he recalled discussions regarding East Bay and Balboa Boulevard, and excluding the City-owned property. Jim Mosher expressed concerns with the meaning of "final results" when referencing the map, as well as identification of the phases. He added that the Municipal Code asks for a majority of residents. Council Member Petros closed public comments. Action: Committee Member Stratton moved to reconsider the location of Phase 1 boundaries and postpone Council's consideration of the matter. Committee Member Pollack seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0, with Committee Member Dove abstaining. BVAC Minutes 07/08/2015 Page 4 4. FACADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE Recommended Action: Receive update. Deputy Community Development Director Brenda Wisneski provided an update on the Fagade Improvement Program. She addressed the applications received and community outreach. Council Member Petros commented positively on staff proactively contacting property owners as well as responses received. He commended staff for the success of the program. Deputy Community Development Director Wisneski addressed bids and contracts as well as next steps. Council Member Petros opened public comments. Marcel Ford commented on vendors for specific tasks and on murals. Deputy Community Development Director Wisneski confirmed that murals could be paid by the Program funds. Council Member Petros commented positively on the public investing in itself and government in action. Council Member Petros closed public comments. 5. OPEN AIR MARKET CONCEPT Recommended Action: Discussion Community Development Director Kimberly Brandt provided a staff report addressing discussions by the Balboa Village Technical Advisory Panel (TAP), economic activities to help stimulate business in the area, and consideration of an open-air market concept. Discussion followed regarding items sold at the open-air market, whether they would compete with existing merchants, being sensitive to competition and the possibility of implementing a farmers market. Council Member Petros opened public comments. Marcel Ford asked for clarification regarding the type of market and items to be sold and suggested not competing with another farmers market. He stated that merchants would accept the concept if it brought more people to the area and provided suggestions for locating an open-air market. Council Member Petros commented on the popularity of anything related to food, similar BVAC Minutes 07/08/2015 Page 5 to the Embarcadero in San Francisco. Kelly Carlson commented on the need to be sensitive to merchants, off-season competition, avoiding selling "touristy" items, and selling unique items. Marcel Ford commented on a store recently opened by Ms. Carlson and suggested attracting families and children. It was noted that the idea of a farmers market would be interesting to residents. Community Development Director Brandt commented on the need to keep residents in mind and creating an environment that services residents and visitors. Kelly Carlson commented on options for days and hours of operation for a farmers market. Marcel Ford suggested differentiating from the Lido Farmers Market by providing other items for sale. Discussion followed regarding having the Merchants Association discuss the matter, and participation of area restaurants in the recent Newport-to-Ensenada Race. Community Development Director Brandt reported that the matter will be included in next meeting's agenda for further consideration. IV. PUBLIC COMMENT Committee Member Pollack announced that on July 23rd, ExplorOcean is hosting the entire U.S. Special Olympics Team from noon to 6:00 p.m. V. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m. Next Meeting Date: August 12, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. BVAC Minutes 07/08/2015 Page 6