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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-14-10 MinutesCity of Newport Beach Coastal/Bay Water Quality Citizens Advisory Committee Minutes Date: October 14, 2010 Time: 3:00 p.m. Location: Fire Conference Room 1. Welcome/Self Introductions Committee Members present: Chairwoman/Council Member Nancy Gardner Council Member Ed Selich Dennis Baker George Drayton Tom Houston Jim Miller Roberta Jorgensen Janet Rappaport Randy Set on Guests present: Ray Heimstra, Orange County Coastkeeper Amanda Griesbach, Heal the Bay Monica Mazur Dan Purcell Jack Skinner Staff present: Shane Burckle, Water Conservation Coordinator Chris Miller, Harbor Resources Manager Jaime Pollard, Public Works Finance/Administrative Manager Shirley Oborny, Administrative Assistant 2. Approval of Previous Meeting's The minutes from the July 8, 2010, meeting were approved. 3. Old Business (a) Bay and Ocean Bacteriological Test Results Ms. Mazur reviewed the latest bacti reports. 4. New Business (a) 2010 End of Summer Beach Report Card - Presentation by Health the Bay Ms. Griesbach gave a PowerPoint presentation (attached). She said the beach report card is a water quality grading system that's easy for the public to understand. The methodology was endorsed by the State Water Quality Board. Continuing, she said overall California did a great job through the summer. She talked about how points are deducted based on exceedences of total coliform or enterococcis, for example, in the samples. Discussion ensued. She volunteered her assistance to come up with a strategy in the event there's ever a problem area that needs to be looked at. (b) Newport Bay Copper Reduction Project Mr. Heimstra said the program has been going on for over a year and a half. He said it's a four year project to assist boaters to switch over to non -toxic bottom paints in Newport Bay in hopes of reducing copper concentrations in the bay. This is a proactive attempt to avoid future regulation if possible. This project is administered by the Santa Ana Regional Water Board. It's run by Orange County Coast keeper with help from the City of Newport Beach. The total grant is $260,000. He gave a PowerPoint presentation (attached). He talked about the cash incentive aspect. Discussion ensued. In response to Mr. Seton, Mr. Heimstra said they'll use other areas in the bay that aren't participating in the program for comparison purposes. (c) City of Newport Beach NPDES Program Evaluation Mr. Burckle said recently the City was audited by the Regional Water Quality Control Board. He and Mr. Kappeler assisted the auditors. The audit was based on the City's existing development program. The auditors asked to look at the City's inspections, documentation of the inspections, any type of enforcement actions that were taken, the database and photo documentation and the authorized inspector training. The auditors asked to visit a shipyard and a restaurant. He said Mr. Kappeler and he showed them the Bellport shipyard and the Bear Flag restaurant. In summary, the City is in compliance based on the audit. Chairwoman Gardner said she would like this information given to the City Council; although she wasn't specific as to what format, because she thinks it's important they know that if the City is not in compliance, fines can be issued. Mr. Burckle said it would be included in the City Manager's Newsletter. Chairwoman Gardner also suggested that the City's Public Information Manager, Tara Finnigan, could pass on the information to the media. 5. Public Comments on Non -Agenda Items Chairwoman Gardner said she met with the Army Corp of Engineers yesterday. She was excited to report that they would like to participate in the Rhine Channel project and the lower bay dredging as soon as possible. Mr. Miller hopes the Rhine Channel project will begin.in spring of 2011. Mr. Baker asked Mr. Burckle to explain what the regulations are for water tank trucks that wash down the streets. Discussion ensued. Mr. Skinner said he and Mr. Kappeler have continued to take biofilm samples around the City. The biofilm study is still receiving a lot of attention. Donna Ferguson is very interested in participating in some of these studies. The bacteria exceedences found in these gutters are a normal process of bacteria that has been taking place on this planet for 3 billion years. Mr. Seton talked about a report he found written by NOAA and the National Marine Fisheries regarding the extinction of the black abalone along our Coast. Chairwoman Gardner said she would discuss it with Bob Stein, Assistant City Engineer, to see if he's aware of it. 6. Topics for Future Agendas (a) Update on the Integrated Watershed Planning Efforts (b) Bacteriological Dry -Weather Runoff Gutter Study (Phase III) (c) OCTA Measure M (d) Coastal Dolphin Research Program (e) Regional General Dredging Permit (RGP) (f) 2010 Urban Water Management Plan (g) Banning Ranch Environmental Impact Report (EIR) (h) NPDES Annual Report Review (1) 2009 Annual Ocean, Harbor and Bay Water Quality Report 0) Rapid Indicators Project Summary Ile) Shalfar kinn(f Cnnnar TRAM Chairwoman Gardner said she also talked with the Army Corps of Engineers about the Santa Ana Marsh area, the Semeniuk Slough and the Newport Shores area. Mr. Baker suggested it be put on a future agenda. 7. Set Next Meeting Date The next meeting was set for December 9, 2010. 8. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at approximately 4:43 p.m.