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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/06/2017_WQCT Draft Minutes City of Newport Beach Water Quality/Coastal Tidelands Committee Meeting Minutes Date: April 6, 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 3:03 p.m. by Chairman Brad Avery 2. Welcome/Self Introductions Committee Members present: Committee Members Absent: Councilmember Brad Avery, Chair Councilmember Jeff Herdman, Vice Chair Erin Delman George Robertson Lou Denger Tom Houston Dennis Baker Fred Galluccio Carl Cassidy Guests present: Hoiyin Ip, Sierra Club Jim Mosher, Resident Nancy Gardner, Orange Coast River Park Mark Ward, Help Your Harbor Billy Dutton, Help Your Harbor Nancy Skinner, SPON Jack Skinner, SPON Staff present: George Murdoch, Municipal Operations Director John Kappeler, Senior Engineer Shane Burckle, Watershed/Conservation Specialist Hazel McIntosh, Student Aide Bob Stein, Assistant City Engineer Raymund Reyes, Management Specialist Mark Vukojevic, Deputy Public Works Director The agenda for the Water Quality/Coastal Tidelands Committee was posted at 12:19 p.m. on April 4, 2017, in the binder located in the entrance of the Council Chambers at 100 Civic Center Drive. 3. Public Comment on Agenda Items 2 Mark Ward announced an underwater cleanup with Help Your Harbor that would be taking place on June 3, 2017. This would be the first event of its kind in Newport Harbor. Tom Houston asked if there would be anything unusual or interesting that might be found. Nancy Gardner asked if they would recycle any of the material that were collected; Mark Ward noted that there would be awards for interesting finds and that they would recycle. Dennis Baker asked if Mr. Ward had been in contact with Nancy Curoso, and which agencies or organizations were taking part. Dennis Baker commented on the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project 2015 Annual Report, noting the solid research and recognizing the organization’s work. 4. Approval of Previous Meeting’s Minutes A motion to approve both the January 5, 2017 minutes was made. The motion was approved unanimously. 5. Current Business (a) Documentary – “Bag It” Hoiyin Ip of the Sierra Club asked the Committee for their support on a film called “Bag It,” a comedic documentary on how plastic affects people’s daily lives. Ms. Ip expressed a desire to coordinate with the City to share the documentary at the Central Library. Dennis Baker asked if the Sierra Club had approached the Library directly; Bob Stein noted that if the City sponsors the film, the Friend’s Room could be made available at no cost. Tom Houston asked if the Committee would be able to preview the film. Dennis Baker made a motion to recommend sponsorship of the Sierra Club’s screening of “Bag It” at the Central Library. George Robertson seconded the motion. Action Item: Committee recommends that the City sponsor the screening of the Sierra Club’s “Bag It” documentary at the City’s Central Library. (b) Water Allocation Based Conservation George Murdoch provided another update on water allocation based conservation. Mr. Murdoch began with a review of prior presentations, touching on regulations, water use restrictions and State requirements. Current percentage reduction mandates and existing means of water use indicators became the primary focus of the discussion amongst the committee. George Murdoch provided a demonstration of the newly implemented OmniEarth program, which uses satellite-imaging and Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping information to estimate potential water usage. The program’s ability to setup specific water allocation base amounts would provide agencies with a more reasonable and effective conservation method (as opposed to flat percentage reductions based on 2013 data.) Dennis Baker asked if other agencies (that provide the City with water) were going to be using OmniEarth, and mentioned code consistency with residents served by Irvine Ranch 3 Water District (IRWD) and Costa Mesa Water District (CMWD). George Murdoch clarified that the water restrictions/code would apply only to residents that are served by the City. Mr. Murdoch noted that the program asked the committee if they had any further thoughts, or could note any other possible challenges to water allocation based conservation methods. Chairman Brad Avery inquired about implementation, and requested a study session on the matter. Tom Houston asked about the additional costs associated with expanding OmniEarth to include commercial parcels; George Murdoch indicated that it would cost around $40,000 to bring in the rest of the data. (c) Newport Bay Water Wheel John Kappeler provided an overview of the project, noting the various discussions of the water wheel’s location, public support, and regulatory hurdles. An alternative upstream location with the use of a hybrid water/land wheel concept was discussed. Dennis Baker noted that this project was always proposed as a temporary solution while upstream solutions were developed. The Committee discussed build options, cost increases and issues with the alternative location and concept. Chairman Avery asked what would be next for this project. Bob Stein mentioned that the Department of Fish and Wildlife likes the alternative location/concept, and suggested that that the Committee obtain the assistance of the Sierra Club and Rotary Club to help garner project support. Chairman Avery asked if the Committee wanted to forgo the old location and move forward with the upstream location. Tom Houston asked if the change would make the wheel less efficient. Fred Galluccio asked about solar power for the wheel. Dennis Baker asked if an action was needed. Bob Stein noted that a more clear proposal was needed for the upstream concept, including costs and upstream partner support. Tom Houston asked for a timeline on when a hybrid plan would be available. Dennis Baker made a motion to formally support the movement of the Newport Bay Water Wheel Project to the upstream location and asked City Staff to provide a revised proposal and additional details. Following further comments and discussion, Tom Houston seconded the motion. The Committee unanimously approved the motion. Action Item: Committee to formally support the movement of the Newport Bay Water Wheel Project to the upstream location; City staff shall provide a revised proposal and additional details for the Project. Nancy Gardner noted that UCI Oceans wants a specific project for Proposition 1 funds, and the water wheel could be a suitable project. John Kappeler noted that California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements would take time and money, and would need to be done by August for Proposition 1 submittal. (d) 2017 Committee Goals John Kappeler gave a quick review of the Committee’s 2016 goals, and asked the Committee to focus which of the goals the Committee would like to undertake moving forward into 2017. Chairman Avery asked if the Big Canyon project could be removed 4 since the project is under construction; Bob Stein affirmed, noting that there are still other phases of the project that could use the Committee’s input. Chairman Avery noted that the list was very helpful; he suggested that some additional information noting status or remaining items needed would be beneficial. Carl Cassidy asked if there was a quantitative measure for the projects, especially with regards to cost. Mark Vukojevic responded, noting that certain phases or portions of a project would be tough to quantify, but that a range might be possible. Others noted that there was cost information, only that it was not mentioned on the list. Jack Skinner asked for an update on the Arches Diversion project. Erin Delman joined the subcommittee for public outreach. Tom Houston asked that the street sweeping program work with Homeowners Associations be accelerated. Chairman Avery asked the Committee if a complete revisit was needed. Tom Houston suggested moving forward with larger, high priority items and mix in smaller, low priority projects as needed. John Kappeler suggested that the Committee could continue with the list, add a few, and then take another look at the list at another meeting. Jeff Herdman asked if the genesis of all the projects was water quality specific. Chairman Avery requested that the Committee focus on objectives that could be accomplished within the next 18 months. Tom Houston recommended that the Committee members send John Kappeler a list of each member’s top five projects. Hoiyin Ip offered the Sierra Club’s help in assisting with public outreach efforts on plastic bottle usage. 6. Old Business (a) Bay and Ocean Bacteriological Test Results John Kappeler briefly reviewed the prior months’ test results. (b) Newport Aquatics Center (NAC) Sub-Committee Report Dennis Baker provided an update on the NAC project, including some background and history of the project for the newer Committee members. A proposal for a low curb along the deck to redirect water to a sump area and into the soil and reduce runoff into the bay was discussed. Chairman Avery asked if this project was something the NAC would need to do under the terms of their lease. Mr. Baker indicated that the City has access to grant funding sources that the NAC does not, and noted that a partnership would be best. Chairman Avery asked that the NAC look into an engineer’s estimate for the curb project. 7. Committee Announcements or Matters Which Members would like Placed on a Future Agenda for Discussion, Action or Report Dennis Baker announced that Laird Hamilton’s film was opening for the Newport Beach Film Festival. Jack Skinner asked about Health Department sampling in the bay. 8. Public Comments On Non-Agenda Items 5 None. 9. Set Next Meeting Date The next meeting date was set for Thursday, May 4, 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 4:53 p.m. ____________________________________ Chairman / Councilmember Brad Avery