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The Log • October 10 - 23, 2014 • 7


Supervisors approve CEO’s responses to Dana Point Harbor Revitalization’s Grand Jury Report


By Parimal M. Rohit


DANA POINT — The Orange County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved its CEO’s responses to the Dana Point Harbor Revitalization Grand Jury Report on Sept. 16. Complementing the vote was Supervisor Pat Bates’ suggestion that county staff revisit the permitting process and report back to the dais before the end of the year. County Supervisor CEO Michael B.


Giancola wrote an eight-page response letter addressing the findings and rec- ommendations of the 2013-2014 Grand Jury Report “Dana Point Revitalization – 15 Years of Planning: What Has Been Learned?” Responses pertained to contracts,


requests for proposals, evaluation of firms responding to Requests For Proposals (RFPs), historical invoices, standardized minutes of weekly meet- ings, oversight, guidelines for con- struction competition, monitoring of agreements, file maintenance and record-keeping, cost analyses and audits.


The 35-page Orange County Grand


Jury Report found that while the pro- posed project has been in the works for 15 years and millions of dollars has already been spent, construction of the new waterfront venue has not yet started. Specifically, the report stated the


originally approved agreement allocat- ed nearly $7 million over five years for design development, permit acquisi- tions and project management servic- es for the Dana Point Harbor Revitalization Plan. The Grand Jury Report added


delays were caused by the California Coastal Commission requesting envi- ronmental revisions be made and spe- cial interests providing criticism of the plan. “There exists a culture of leave well enough alone by some current and past county employees and officials that DPH should not be open to scruti-


The Festival Plaza, as currently proposed, would serve as a centralized outdoor gathering space and hub of the Dana Point Harbor’s new commercial core. The Dana Point Harbor Revitalization Plan proposes the Festival Plaza to be a place for public gatherings, events, activities and celebrations throughout the year.


ny or investigation. Perhaps this ‘hands off’ perception can be attrib- uted to ‘District Prerogative,’ which affords cooperation among County Supervisors,” the report stated. The report also stated the fact mul- tiple extensions were made to the orig- inal agreement during the past 11 years “are a major source of concern, with the budget nearly doubling in that time.” “The budget for the revitalization


project has increased from $6,982,000 approved for an initial five-year term in 2003, to the new maximum financial obligation of $13,183,310, through June 25, 2018. The actual cost is yet to be determined,” the Grand Jury Report stated. “Additional funds to complete the project are anticipated to be sought through bonds and/or loans. At this time, there is no visible sign of construction. There is also no plan to re-bid the project management agree- ment that has been in place since 2003.


“It has been an arduous task for the


Grand Jury to identify and verify invoiced expenditures for the revital- ization project relating to the project management company,” the report continued. Grand jurors also stated the


Revitalization Plan’s 12 Guiding Principles has not been updated since they were initiated in 1997 and approved one year later. Those guiding principles, as listed


in the Grand Jury Report, state the Revitalization Plan should: maintain Dana Point Harbor’s character and family atmosphere; renovate and maintain the harbor’s appearance; sus- tain the waterfront venue as a full- service harbor; prevent commercial- ization of the island; make sure yacht clubs continue to thrive; enhance parking uses; improve the harbor’s water quality; retain “an overall mix of land uses;” supply “more parking in the commercial area;” preserve or enhance “existing parkland, beach and


landscape buffers;” balance revenue- generating and non-revenue-generat- ing land use; and, “provide additional public restroom and shower facilities near the docks.” “The primary goals of the project


were to revitalize Dana Point Harbor so it could continue to operate as a popular destination for boaters, local residents and tourists while maintain- ing the unique character of the har- bor,” the Grand Jury Report stated. “The ultimate goal for the harbor was to create a vision which accommo- dates all interests and ensures the preservation of the character of this outstanding small-craft harbor.” Grand jurors provided a historical


overview of Dana Point Harbor’s evolu- tion, adding the Revitalization Plan was developed, at the direction of the Board of Supervisors, “to ensure the Harbor’s long term vitality and suc- cess” and provide a frameworks “for more detailed planning.”


See REVITALIZATION page 22


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