NEWPORT BEACH — The Newport Beach City Council approved the hiring of the Washington, D.C.-based lobbyist group Van Scoyoc Associates on March 25, to serve as a federal-level advocate for dredging Lower Newport Bay and fully funding the ongoing Upper Newport Bay Ecosystem Restoration Project. The firm will receive $60,000 for its efforts on behalf of the city.

Harbor Issues — City Council members voted March 25 to engage the lobbying firm of Van Scoyou Associates, to assist with getting federal support for dredging Newport Harbor and Upper Newport Bay. Councilmembers also considered plans for Marina Park.

After last month’s meeting, where councilmembers were alerted that the city is approximately $12 million to $14 million short of funds to complete the Upper Newport Bay Ecosystem Restoration Project and may have to demobilize dredging equipment as soon as June, the city considered contracting with a professional lobbyist to seek necessary federal funding for the project.

While the first phase of the project is set for completion in late April, the city continues to seek funding for Phase 2. Both city and Orange County officials have asked Sen. Barbara Boxer and Sen. Diane Feinstein to help in securing more money for the project in federal appropriations for Fiscal Year 2009, which begins in October. Representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Los Angeles district have also visited Orange County congressional representatives, but the politicians have so far been unsuccessful in securing funding.

Councilwoman Nancy Gardner raised questions regarding what the lobbying firm will bring to the table, if the city has made all the contacts possible in regard to the Upper Bay dredging project.

“They key thing they (Van Scoyoc Associates) bring to the table for the Upper Bay is the possibility of reprogramming and the creative ways they can look at other projects in other districts, even in other states, that have not started yet, but have money budgeted,” explained Assistant City Manager Dave Kiff. The hope is that money that has been budgeted for projects that have yet to begin can be pulled from those projects and moved to Upper Newport Bay, he explained.

Kiff added that the firm has expertise in dealing with the Army Corps of Engineers.

In other action, councilmembers approved a contract between the Rabben/Herman Design Office and subconsultants to complete the needed reports and services needed to move forward with planning for the Marina Park project.

At its last meeting, the city council agreed with local residents that the architect would need to rework the height of the proposed sailing center and community center to comply with the coastal height limits for the area, but allow for architectural features that could exceed 35 feet that would give the building “character.”

The action came after comments were heard from the audience regarding concerns about possible view obstructions from Marina Park’s planned two-story sailing center, which is proposed to be 11,100 square feet; and the two-story community center, which is planned to be 10,200 square feet.

Councilmembers approved the contract, with Rabben/Herman Design Office preparing the schematic design, Michael Brandman Associates preparing the Environmental Impact Report (EIR), TerraCosta Consulting Group providing technical support data for the EIR and Gable Engineering Inc. providing project management services, as stated in staff reports.

The architect has begun to move forward on the new conditions, as reported by staff during a Marina Park subcommittee meeting March 26. Committee members will discuss project and meeting scheduling, whether subcommittees for the waterside portion of the project should be created and scheduling for the EIR, at the next meeting.

A new design of the buildings will also be brought before the committee when it meets May 7.