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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/05/2017_WQCT Draft Minutes City of Newport Beach Water Quality/Coastal Tidelands Committee Meeting Minutes Date: January 5, 2017 Time: 3:00 p.m. Location: Crystal Cove Conference Room, 100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660 Meeting Minutes prepared by: Raymund Reyes 1. The meeting was called to order at 3:00 p.m. by Chairwoman Diane Dixon. 2. Welcome/Self Introductions Committee Members present: Committee Members Absent: Councilmember Diane Dixon, Chair George Robertson Councilmember Duffy Duffield, Vice Chair Lou Denger Tom Houston Dennis Baker Fred Galluccio Carl Cassidy Mike Melby Guests present: Peter Bryant, Newport Bay Conservancy Jim Mosher, Resident Nancy Gardner, Orange Coast River Park Billy Dutton, Help Your Harbor Mark Ward, Help Your Harbor Monica Mazur, Resident Nancy Skinner, SPON Jack Skinner, SPON Staff present: Hazel McIntosh, Student Aide Raymund Reyes, Management Specialist John Kappeler, Senior Engineer George Murdoch, Municipal Operations Director Dave Webb, Public Works Director Mark Vukojevic, Deputy Public Works Director The agenda for the Water Quality/Coastal Tidelands Committee was posted at 5:48 p.m. on December 22, 2016, in the binder located in the entrance of the Council Chambers at 100 Civic Center Drive. 3. Public Comment on Agenda Items Peter Bryant of the Newport Bay Conservancy commented on trash in Newport Bay and asked about ways to ameliorate the problem. He showed the committee a few slides, 2 encouraged staff and the committee to look at other upstream options, and recommended consideration of the bandalong boom system. The comments began a discussion of the proposed water wheel project. Bob Stein and John Kappeler noted that the boom had already been considered during previous feasibility discussions with Fuscoe Engineering. Bob Stein mentioned that significant negotiations with Orange County Flood Control would be needed if the City was considering alternative methods upstream. Staff provided updates regarding Council direction and CEQA documentation for the water wheel. Peter Bryant inquired about a relative cost analysis between a boom method and the water wheel. Diane Dixon asked about grant deadlines, CEQA requirements, and framing the water wheel project as an interim solution as part of a two-step process to remove trash in the bay. Peter Bryant asked if he should go back to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for a formal response. Bob Stein suggested that further discussion was needed. Diane Dixon concluded the discussion, indicating that this was a discussion of strategy and not a request for action. 4. Approval of Previous Meeting’s Minutes A motion to approve both the November 3, 2016 minutes and December 1, 2016 minutes was made. Both minutes were approved. Jim Mosher mentioned that there was no quorum at the December meeting, and noted that the City Attorney’s office had some concern with meetings being conducted with less than a quorum. Nancy Gardner recalled that the committee could discuss, but not motion for any actions. Diane Dixon indicated that was her understanding as well. 5. Current Business (a) Water Conservation Update George Murdoch discussed the City’s current state of its water conservation activities, including urban water runoff, drought response activities and State regulations. Information was provided on Executive Order B-37-15 and its Water Action Plan. The plan establishes items such as long-term water conservation measures, new water use targets and measurement standards, all in an effort to reduce overall water use and strengthen local drought resilience. Mr. Murdoch noted that the draft plan was okay, but was not sure how the State would provide certain items. Diane Dixon asked if this plan would ultimately become law. George Murdoch explained that while the plan would provide the tools that the City could use, the City could not individually control use of water. Fred Galluccio asked if the University of California System was regulated separately from other agencies, and asked about agricultural use as a percentage of overall water use in the state. Jack Skinner inquired about water use differences between residents on the bluffs with minimal or no lawns. Peter Bryant asked about groundwater being taken into account when considering water allocations. George Murdoch then reviewed the draft framework of the plan and discussed an action plan for the City. Mr. Murdoch recommended review and comments of the draft implementation framework, as well as taking a look at City processes, staffing and 3 responsibility levels. Carl Cassidy asked about impacts to new development. Diane Dixon asked about bond measures for reservoirs. Mr. Galluccio inquired about the possibility of permeable sidewalks. (b) Water Allocation Based Conservation George Murdoch provided a presentation on water allocation budgeting. Mr. Murdoch first reviewed the City’s current contingency plan, as found in Water Conservation and Supply Level Regulations of the Newport Beach Municipal Code (NBMC) 14.16. An overview of permanent restrictions, procedures for declaration, and levels of conservation requirements followed. Diane Dixon asked about the City’s procedural process. George Murdoch suggested taking another look at the Code to give the City more flexibility. Executive Order B-37-16 was discussed in relation to the City’s Code. Whereas the existing City Code 14.16 uses the year 2013 percentages as the baseline for water reduction, the Order required agencies to calculate unique targets on alternative standards. Discussion on alternative methodology methods ensued, including indoor versus outdoor usage, the establishment of baselines without using 2013 data, and predicting water use based on land use. George Murdoch provided information on a software program called OmniEarth. The program uses satellite imagery to provide land cover classification and allows for a more detailed water use analysis of properties. Implementation costs, possible grant funding, benefits, issues of privacy, and the possibilities of a pilot program were discussed. George Robertson asked about tiered water rates, and Dennis Baker inquired about the ability to average behavior on water use. George Murdoch asked about the next phase in the process. Diane Dixon indicated that a more dedicated discussion on water allocations and would be beneficial at the next meeting so as to settle on a proposed format prior to a presentation to the City Council. (c) Newport Bay Watershed Executive Committee Update Due to the time, this discussion item was canceled. (d) Communications Sub-Committee Michael Melby provided a short presentation on the Communication Sub-Committee. Mr. Melby first discussed the goals of increasing public awareness and sense of pride of the City’s water quality levels, as well as showcasing the Committee’s and City’s efforts in water quality. Discussion on content and ideas followed, including common concerns, impactful public works projects, and key City water quality and conservation initiatives to date. Target audiences, methods of advertisement and time tables were also discussed. Dennis Baker recommended that the campaign should focus on congratulating efforts to improve water quality, but also express a desire to continue doing it, and doing it better. Billy Dutton praised the presentation, and provided input on the suggested public service announcement. Diane Dixon thanked Mr. Melby and the sub-committee for their efforts, and noted that staff could assist with bringing Visit Newport Beach on board. 4 6. Old Business (a) Bay and Ocean Bacteriological Test Results John Kappeler, quickly reviewed the test results, indicating a few high notes in certain areas. 7. Committee Announcements or Matters Which Members would like Placed on a Future Agenda for Discussion, Action or Report Jack Skinner mentioned that the Orange County Water Quality Lab was now equipped to test for human fecal matter, and that Water Laboratory Supervisor, Joe Guzman, has offered to run tests for the City if high bacteria counts are found. 8. Public Comments On Non-Agenda Items None. 9. Set Next Meeting Date The next meeting date was set for Thursday, February 2, at 3:00 pm in the Crystal Cove Conference Room, located at 100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660. 10. Adjournment A motion to adjourn was made. The meeting was adjourned at 5:06 p.m. ____________________________________ Chairwoman / Diane Dixon