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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06 - Resolution Supporting Increased Funding for Local Coastal Planning� t�EW ART p O z c9C /F00.N�P TO: CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH City Council Staff Report Agenda Item No. 6 June 11, 2013 HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: Community Development Department Kimberly Brandt, AICP, Director 949 - 644 -3226, kbrandt @newportbeachca.gov PREPARED BY: Brenda Wisneski, Deputy Community Development Director APPROVED: A TITLE: Support for Increased Funding for Local Coastal Planning ABSTRACT: Increased State funding is being considered for the California Coastal Commission (Commission) and local governments to support Local Coastal Program (LCP) planning, including a focus on climate change and sea level rise. The proposal is to allocate $4 million dollars /year to the Commission, which would include $1 million /year for local government LCP planning grants. The Coastal Commission requests that the City of Newport Beach express support for the funding. RECOMMENDATION: Adopt the attached resolution expressing the City's support for increased state funding for the local coastal planning. FUNDING REQUIREMENTS: There is no fiscal impact related to this item. DISCUSSION: A December 2012 California Coastal Commission workshop focused on the need for improved efficiency in the Local Coastal Program planning process. Details of the workshop can be reviewed here http: / /documents. coastal. ca.gov /reports /2013/4/F9b -4- 2013.pdf. While several topics were discussed, the prominent indicator was the need for improved coordination and communication. To achieve this goal, the Commission contends additional funding is needed for additional staff capacity both at the state and local levels. 1 Support for Increased Funding for Local Coastal Planning June 11, 2013 Page 2 To maximize the chances of securing the increased funding, the Executive Director of the California Coastal Commission has requested local governments express their support. The City of Newport Beach is in the process of developing its LCP. Additional funding has the potential to increase Commission staff, thereby increasing the likelihood that we will receive meaningful input from them as we progress through this very challenging process. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: Staff recommends the City Council find this action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act ( "CEQA ") pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly. The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the meeting at which the City Council considers the item). Submitted by: I '/" Kimberly Brand , AICP Director Attachment: CC -1 Resolution Expressing Support for Increased Funding 2 City Council Attachment 1 Resolution Expressing Support for Increased Funding 3 RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH SUPPORTING ADDITIONAL STATE FUNDING FOR THE LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM PLANNING PROCESS ESTABLISHED BY THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL ACT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH HEREBY FINDS AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. STATEMENT OF FACTS. 1. Whereas, the funding should be used to support efforts to increase collaborative state - local planning and streamline the process for approving and amending or updating Local Coastal Programs (LCP), including providing additional planning staff for the California Coastal Commission (Commission) and funding for new state LCP planning grants for local governments. 2. Whereas, the additional funding should prioritize early scoping, local coordination and communication with the City, to help identify key issues and address potential conflicts, as early as possible. 3. Whereas, early coordination provides for more predictable and mutually - agreeable processing timelines for each stage of the process, and for mechanisms to provide maximum opportunity for the Commission and local governments to collaboratively address important and pressing coastal management issues, including responding to climate change, extreme events, and global sea level rise. Early coordination also provides for maximizing local participation and discussion of LCP issues, and enhancing efficiency and accountability in the local coastal planning process. SECTION 2. CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT DETERMINATION. The City Council finds this action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act ( "CEQA ") pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: The City Council of the City of Newport Beach hereby supports additional funding for the LCP planning process established by the California Coastal Act. 0 City Council Resolution No. _ Page 2 of 2 Passed and adopted by the City Council of Newport Beach at a regular meeting held on June 11, 2013, by the following vote to wit: AYES, COUNCIL MEMBERS NOES, COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT COUNCIL MEMBERS KEITH CURRY, MAYOR ATTEST: LEILANI BROWN. CITY CLERK 04 -24 -2013 0