Mayor drops idea of floating docks during Newport candidates forum

Newport Beach Mayor Rush Hill intends to stop pursuing the idea of trying floating docks instead of moorings in the harbor, he said during a City Council candidates forum Monday night.

The concept, which he introduced at the outset of his term as mayor this year, was one of several topics brought up by residents who gathered at the American Legion post on the Balboa Peninsula for the two-hour debate.

More than 60 residents attended the event, presented by the West Newport Beach and Central Newport Beach associations, and listened to how the eight candidates intend to address issues in their respective areas.

Hill, who is running for reelection in District 3, said he plans to pull the idea of floating docks because survey results of community members had found respondents opposed to it by a margin of about 10-to-1.

“If it’s not fitting for Newport, then it’s not fitting for Newport,” he told the audience.

His District 3 opponent, Marshall “Duffy” Duffield, agreed that the idea should be put on the back burner and then brought up when the timing is right. He added that a different term should be used because docks, by definition, float.

Candidates also discussed improving safety on the Balboa Peninsula Boardwalk and how a possible boardwalk expansion would be handled.

District 4 candidate Tim Brown said better enforcement would be needed to keep the boardwalk safe. He said he had discussed the issue with Newport Beach police officials, who said it could be prioritized higher.

“It’s like the 405 [Freeway],” said resident Fred Levine, who called for “common-sense safety” on the pathway. “Wanna make money? Put a toll road on the boardwalk.”

Extending the boardwalk to the Santa Ana River would “provide nothing but more chaos,” Duffield said.

Mike Toerge, running in District 6, said good leadership relies on the collective knowledge of the public. To make such a decision would require an outreach process and listening respectfully, he said.

Regarding the Lido House Hotel project, District 6 candidate Scott Peotter and District 4 candidate Kevin Muldoon said they believe the property, the former City Hall site at 3300 Newport Blvd., should have been sold instead of leased.

The council this month approved the 130-room development with a 55-year lease that can be extended 30 more years. Rent paid to the city will be either a base amount or a percentage of revenue, whichever is higher.

District 4 candidate Roy Englebrecht argued that the city missed an opportunity for a “second Fashion Island on this side of the bay,” which he said could have been achieved by combining Lido Marina Village with the former City Hall site.

But Toerge and Hill said the lease would generate a solid cash flow for the city for years to come.

The discussions followed a farewell speech from District 1 Councilman Mike Henn, who is termed out this year.

Henn said he is most proud of the city’s revitalization efforts, including remodeling Lido Marina Village, building the new Marina Park and approving the lease for the Lido House Hotel.

“This was not accomplished by hands-off government,” he said. “It was accomplished by hands-on government.”

He thanked audience members for allowing him to serve for eight years and expressed confidence in Diane Dixon, who is running unopposed in District 1, which includes the Balboa Peninsula, Lido Isle and oceanfront areas west of the peninsula to the Santa Ana River.

Dixon said traffic, parking and cleaning up public areas are among the primary issues she plans to focus on. “I’m bringing a sense of change, new ideas,” she said.