2009 City Council Priorities - February 10, 2009

CONTINUE TO SEEK AND IMPLEMENT MEASURES TO MINIMIZE THE ADVERSE IMPACTS OF JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT THROUGH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CITY COUNCIL’S AIRPORT POLICY

1. Hold ten Aviation Committee meetings to discuss airport issues and share information with the community.
2. Hold five Corridor City meetings with the other five cities to strategize airport issues and share information.
3. Conduct an air quality study seeking to determine effects of JWA aircraft on Newport Beach’s air quality.
4. Begin a regional dialogue with other airport operators seeking support to boost passenger traffic at the Ontario Airport.
5. Report to Council on the status of regional dialogue regarding Ontario Airport.
6. Continue to seek the most advantageous opportunity to engage the County in discussions regarding a Settlement Agreement extension.
7. Continue to build the partnership with Costa Mesa through joint involvement in Aviation Committee meetings, Corridor City meetings, the air quality study and regional airport discussions. Develop joint goals and objectives which both cities can adopt at a joint City Council meeting.
8. Explore with the City of Anaheim its planning for the ARTIC regional transportation center and determine if the City’s support could assist in expedited planning and construction processes for ARTIC.
9. Engage South County cities in a JWA issue dialogue in order to create greater political support for an eventual Settlement Agreement extension

1. Finalize documentation on measures, assembling comparative benchmarks and information for the final report from ICMA.
2. ICMA consultants present final written and oral report to Council.
3. ICMA conducts training on how to manage performance data.
4. Organization continues to gather data with comparisons made against selected agencies and itself, and written reports submitted annually with focus on Planning and Building Departments.

FOCUS ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND ADOPTION OF A FY 2009-2010 BUDGET WHICH IS BALANCED AND WHICH ALLOCATES THE CITY’S RESOURCES WHERE THEY ARE MOST NEEDED WITHOUT ADVERSELY AFFECTING SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC

1. Conservatively estimate revenues for the new budget year.
2. Present an update of General Fund revenues and expenditures for FY 08-09 to the City Council at a regular Council meeting.
3. Begin budget review and provide an opportunity for Council to decide new General Fund CIP projects for FY 09-10 during budget review meetings.
4. Council approves FY 2009-10 budget.
5. Provide Council with two additional updates on revenue collections and expenditures for FY 2009-10.

UPDATE THE FACILITIES FINANCING PLAN (FFP) TWICE IN 2009 IN ORDER TO DETERMINE HOW BEST TO FINANCE OASIS AND HOW BEST TO MOVE FORWARD WITH PLANNING FOR CITY HALL AND OTHER PRIORITY PROJECTS 

1. Council Finance Committee develops recommendation to Council as to best timing and financing vehicle to fund the OASIS project
2. Council Finance Committee recommends updated Facility Financing Plan based on OASIS project contract for Council adoption
3. City Council to review the updated Facility Financing Plan
4. Council approves updated FFP

CONTINUE TO ENFORCE THE CITY’S GROUP HOMES REGULATIONS IN ORDER TO MINIMIZE THE IMPACTS ON RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS

1. Process all remaining Use Permit applications
2. Enforce the February 22, 2009 abatement deadline on homes that did not apply for Use Permits
3. Support/sponsor new state legislation on group residential uses
4. Enforce Ordinance 2008-05’s prohibitions on any new start-up group residential uses outside of MFR zones and without permits
5. Enforce the conditions of existing/issued Use Permits
6. Enforce the conditions of the Sober Living by the Sea settlement agreement and Narconon Abatement Agreement
7. Process all applications for Reasonable Accommodation
8. Defend City against litigation

CONTINUE THE ALIGNMENT OF THE CITY’S CODES, REGULATIONS AND POLICIES WITH THE GENERAL PLAN

1. Complete review of draft Zoning Code and LCP Implementation Plan by staff and GP/LCP Implementation Committee, and begin Planning Commission hearings.
2. Coastal Commission approval of land use amendments to Coastal Land Use Plan.
3. Submit revised Housing Element, responding to State Department of Housing and Community Development comments, to HCD.
4. Complete nexus study for Fair Share Traffic Fee, with City Council adoption of fee.
5. GP/LCP Committee recommendation on infrastructure and fee for residential development in Airport Area, with City Council adoption of fee.
6. Affordable Housing Task Force recommendation on Inclusionary Housing Ordinance and In-Lieu Fee, with City Council adoption.
7. City Council adoption of revisions to Measure S Guidelines regarding variable FAR.
8. Amend City Council Policies on historic, archaeological and paleontological resources.

REDUCE THE FIRE HAZARD IN LOWER BUCK GULLY IN ORDER TO PROVIDE HEIGHTENED FIRE PROTECTION TO THE COMMUNITY 

1. Upon completion of the statewide hazard designation maps by the California Dept. of Forestry & Fire Protection, hold a public hearing and have the City Council designate certain “local responsibility areas” as “Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.”
2. Upon completion of the Senate Bill 1595 compliance guidelines by the California Dept. of Forestry & Fire Protection, work with the US Fish & Wildlife Service, the California Dept. of Fish & Game, The Nature Reserve of Orange County, The Irvine Ranch Conservancy, and the California Coastal Commission to assure the guidelines are appropriate and in compliance with all State and Federal regulations.
3. Place property owners on notice to have vegetation cleared in accordance with the SB 1595 guidelines developed by the California Dept. of Forestry & Fire Protection and approved by the State and Federal regulators.
4. Report to City Council as to status of private property clearance and seek additional direction, if necessary.

CONTINUE TO IMPLEMENT AN EFFECTIVE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PLAN BY A VARIETY OF PROJECTS WHICH IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOWS THROUGHOUT THE CITY 

1. Phase 1 signal project completed and operational
2. Phases 2 and 3 signal project designs completed, work begins
3. Phases 2 and 3 – Completed and operational 
4. Council discussion on Phases 4-8 as whether to accelerate design and construction
5. Staff recommends projects which facilitate traffic flows in FY 09-10 CIP budget
6. Council approves new CIP budget with project schedules
7. Staff reports to Council as to status of CIP traffic related projects

COMPLETE THE SCHEMATIC DESIGN PHASE AND THE EIR FOR THE NEWPORT BEACH CIVIC CENTER 

1. Hire Civic Center architect (BCJ)
2. Hire Civic Center Project Management Firm (CW Driver)
3. Hire Civic Center EIR Consultant (LSA)
4. Complete Concept Plan Phase
5. Complete Schematic Design Phase and adopt final EIR

PROVIDE MORE PUBLIC PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITIES, WITH EMPHASIS ON ACTIVE FACILITIES WHERE APPROPRIATE; CONSTRUCT A NEW OASIS FACILITY FOR OUR SENIORS

1. Sunset Ridge Park – obtain PB&R and Council conceptual approvals
2. Begin CEQA and final design processes
3. Determination of MND or EIR process
4. City Council EIR Hearing for approval
5. Coastal Commission permit approval expected (after EIR finalized)
6. Award bid after preparation of construction documents and bidding
7. Park open for public use March 2012

1. Marina Park – conceptual plans prepared and approved by PB&R, City Council
2. EIR public review period
3. City Council EIR Hearing for approval
4. Environmental clearance expected
5. Completion of construction plans and specs, all water quality, Army Corps, Coastal Commission permits etc.
6. Advertise, bid and award multiple construction contracts for specialized contractors
7. Construction completed and open for public use July 2013

1. Coastal Peak Park- construction permits approved
2. Construction period with The Irvine Company overseeing and paying for construction
3. 120 day construction company maintenance period 
4. City assumes ownership of park and continues maintenance period
5. Open to public use September 2009

1. OASIS Rebuild - construction out to bid
2. Award construction bid
3. Construction of project
4. Construction completed and open for public use October 2010

1. Banning Ranch Community Park – development application submitted
2. Discuss Community Park plans including size, location and improvements with developer

1. Synthetic Turf Study – RFP for consultant services
2. Award of consultant contract for $23,000
3. Phase I- study of existing park sites for usage recommendations
4. PB&R Commission – presentation of study findings
5. Presentation to Council of study findings and determination of whether to proceed with plans and specs

1. CYC-Renovation – project out to construction bid
2. Award construction bid
3. Construction of project
4. Construction completed and open for public use June 2009

CONTINUE WITH THE PROCESS TO DETERMINE EVENTUAL LAND USE FOR THE BANNING RANCH PROPERTY, PURSUING BOTH OPEN SPACE AND DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS OUTLINED IN THE GENERAL PLAN 

Open Space

1. City Council receipt of appraisal report
2. Resource Opportunity Group report to Ad Hoc Committee on funding availability
3. Meeting with interested parties to discuss funding availability
4. City Council receipt of funding availability report, and direction to Ad Hoc Committee on next steps

Development

1. City receipt of complete application material
2. NOP public review period
3. Draft EIR public review period
4. Planning Commission recommendations on development application
5. Final City Council action on development application

1. Bring forth a draft Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP) to City Council which identifies fiscal impacts 
2. Consider the establishment of a Council ad hoc Committee on Water Use. Purpose is to assist/review staff action relating to potable water purchases and use in the city (with OCWD and MWDOC).
3. Consider certain aspects of the WQMP in the context of the 2009-2010 Fiscal Year Budget.
4. Update the City’s Water Master Plan (for potable water delivered to homes, city facilities, and businesses). Determine if existing rate structure will accomplish the Plan, including likely increases in water purchasing costs. If not, recommend rate changes.
5. Continue City’s water conservation efforts via Water Conservation Coordinator. Direct WCC and Utilities Director to follow and update City on other jurisdiction’s actions relating to tiered rate structures.
6. Implement any rate changes based on the Water Master Plan’s needs. Evaluate the city’s obligations relating to rate changes under Proposition 208. 
7. Study how the updated Water Master Plan’s needs could be addressed with a tiered-rate structure (to encourage conservation).
8. Determine whether to implement a Tiered Rate structure, and suggest the timing thereof.

DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A STRATEGY, INCLUDING A FUNDING COMPONENT, FOR THE DREDGING OF THE LOWER BAY 

1. Advocate in Washington DC and with the US Army Corps of Engineers (LA District) for the Corps’ consideration of a Lower Newport Bay (LNB) dredging project within the Economic Stimulus Package (American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan of 2009) or the Federal FY 10 budget.
2. Continue City’s current work on toxicity testing of the LNB and its analysis of the possible use of a Confined Aquatic Disposal (CAD) site for certain materials. 
3. Develop project alternatives (including funding) for the LNB, including a range of options as follows:
   • No federal funding.
   • 100% federal funding of the Federal Navigational Channel.
   • The “one and done” plan (encourage the Corps to fund a complete dredging project then remove the obligation from the Corps’ operations and maintenance list).
   • Other alternatives in between the above. 
4. Consider any possible alternatives and funding recommendations within the City’s FY 2009-2010 budget. 
5. Directly assist Corps with any studies, environmental reports, or permitting required with the LNB project.