HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/08/2008 - Study SessionCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
City Council Minutes
Study Session
July 8, 2008 — 3:00 p.m
I. ROLL CALL
Present: Council Member Henn, Council Member Curry, Council Member Gardner, Mayor Selich
Excused: Council Member Rosansky, Mayor Pro Tem Daigle, Council Member Webb
II. CURRENT BUSINESS
1. CLARIFICATION OF ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
Regarding Item 8 (Selection of Vendor for Contract Negotiations for Landscape
Maintenance of City Parks and Facilities), General Services Director Harmon confirmed
that the landscapers will be careful about runoff and that blower noise cannot exceed
a certain level.
2. BUCK GULLY FIRE STUDY.
Council Member Rosansky joined the meeting at 3:05 p.m.
Fire Marshal Bunting stated that the amount of brush in Buck Gully is unsafe. He
utilized a PowerPoint presentation and explained that the proposals only deal with the
first 100 feet behind the homes. He displayed photos of Buck Gully from 1973 and today,
the extent of vegetation to the 100 -foot line, and how there is no separation between
shrubs or trees. He defined Hazard Reduction Zone and Fuel Modification Zone, and
explained the differences in tree and shrub regulations between the Hazard Reduction
Zone, Fuel Modification Zone, and California State Fire Marshal regulations.
Fire Marshal Bunting highlighted recommendations to change the Hazard Reduction Zone
regulations relative to trees and shrubs, which would remove about two - thirds of the trees
in the 100 -foot zone. He emphasized that the main concern is that a fire in the canyons
can spread throughout Corona del Mar and discussed how the Laguna Beach fire spread
rapidly due to excess brush. He reported on the response times and manpower that would
be needed to fight a fire in Corona del Mar.
Council Member Gardner emphasized the need for overall safety and requested that
something come back to Council as soon as possible.
In response to Council questions, Fire Marshal Bunting indicated that the
recommendation deals with the 100 -foot line (Plan A), but going past that to the 170 -foot
line (Plan B) would require coordination with many other regulatory agencies and could
cost about $350,000. He indicated that new regulations should not be implemented this
fire season since the Fire Department is already conducting inspections. He indicated that
the 170 -foot plan would take the canyons back to how they were in 1973.
Council Member Henn recommended coming back to Council with an ordinance that
addresses Plan A and Plan B, and a staff report that discusses a timeline and costs to both
Volume 58 — Page 538
City of Newport Beach
Study Session
July 8, 2008
the homeowners and the City. Fire Marshal Bunting indicated that the plans should be
separated because Plan B will take more time to work out.
Council Member Curry noted that the City has been having a lot of discussions about
tsunamis and earthquakes when the greatest threat every year to the City is a fire.
George Jeffries suggested that the City lower and thin its Eucalyptus trees on Hazel and
Poppy.
In response to Larry Albert's questions, Fire Marshal Bunting stated that he does not
know of anything natural that could start a fire in the canyons, distances are measured
from the back of the house that faces the slope, and a list of fire- resistant vegetation are on
the Fire Department's webpage.
Stanley Barons believed that the Buck Gully trees should have a height limitation and
expressed support for Fire Marshal Bunting's recommendations_
Fire Marshal Bunting explained how goats can be used to assist with clearing the area.
He confirmed that the regulations would apply to Buck Gully, Morning Canyon, and
Newport Coast Hazardous Reduction Zones and explained where the County's A -Zone
starts in Newport Coast.
III. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None.
IV. ADJOURNMENT - 3:58 p.m.
The agenda for the Study Session was posted on July 2, 2008, at 1:40 p.m. on the City
Hall Bulletin Board located outside of the City of Newport Beach Administration
Building.
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Volume 58 - Page 539