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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-11-20_Agenda_Packet_EQAC P10 CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Civic Center Community Room C��!FORN�P November 20, 2014- 5:30 PM Committee Members: Charles McKenna Nancy Gardner, Council Member(Chair) Debbie Stevens Tony Petros, Council Member Josh Yocam John Callahan Tyler Gentry Kimberly Jameson Staff Members: Scott Kohan Patrick Alford, Planning Program Manager I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2014 MINUTES Summary: Approval of September 30, 2014 meeting minutes Recommended Action: Approve September 30, 2014 minutes (attached) IV. CURRENT BUSINESS A. EQAC OBJECTIVES Summary: Discussion of draft EQAC-recommended environmental quality objectives. Recommended Action: Review draft objectives; revise, if necessary; direct staff to prepare a recommendation to the City Council. V. COMMITTEE ANNOUNCEMENTS OR MATTERS WHICH MEMBERS WOULD LIKE PLACED ON A FUTURE AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION, ACTION OR REPORT(NON-DISCUSSION ITEM) VI. PUBLIC COMMENTS Public comments are invited on agenda and non-agenda items generally considered to be within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Committee. Speakers must limit comments to (3) minutes. Before speaking, we invite, but do not require, you to state your name for the record. The Committee has the discretion to extend or shorten the speakers' time limit on agenda or non-agenda items, provided the time limit adjustment is applied equally to all speakers. As a courtesy, please turn cell phones off or set them in silent mode VII. NEXT MEETING VIII. ADJOURNMENT This Committee is subject to the Ralph M. Brown Act. Among other things, the Brown Act requires that the Committee's agenda be posted at least seventy-two (72) hours in advance of each regular meeting and that the public be allowed to comment on agenda items before the Committee and items not on the agenda but are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Committee. The Committee may limit public comments to a reasonable amount of time,generally three(3)minutes per person. It is the intention of the City of Newport Beach to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act("ADA")in all respects. If, as an attendee or a participant at this meeting, you will need special assistance beyond what is normally provided, the City of Newport Beach will attempt to accommodate you in every reasonable manner. If requested, this agenda will be made available in appropriate alternative formats to persons with a disability, as required by Section 202 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12132), and the federal rules and regulations adopted in implementation thereof. Please contact the City Clerk's Office at least forty-eight(48)hours prior to the meeting to inform us of your particular needs and to determine if accommodation is feasible at(949)644-3005 or cityclerk@newportbeachca.gov. Z O� WIPO�T NEWPORT BEACH U � ? aK cq�iFoaN�P_ ITEM TITLE: APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2014 MINUTES SITE LOCATION: Site Location: ITEM SUMMARY: Summary: Approval of September 30, 2014 meeting minutes RECOMMENDED Recommended Action: Approve September 30, 2014 minutes (attached) ACTION: CEQA Compliance ATTACHMENTS: Description 2014-09-30 Draft EQAC Minutes 2 City of Newport Beach Environmental Quality Affairs Committee Minutes Date: September 30, 2014 Location: Newport Beach Civic Center— 100 Civic Center Drive Civic Center Community Room Members Nancy Gardner (Chair), Kimberly Jameson, Charles McKenna, Present: Debbie Stevens, Josh Yocam Members Absent: Council Member Tony Petros, Tyler Gentry, Scott Kohan, and Joshua Olazabal Staff: David Kiff, City Manager Patrick Alford, Planning Program Manager Public: Jim Mosher, Justin Cox, and Megan Nicolai 1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at approximately 6:46 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Council Member Petros, Mr. Kohan, and Mr. Yocam were absent. Mr. Yocam arrived at approximately 6:58 p.m. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the August 28, 2014 meeting were approved as amended. 4. CURRENT BUSINESS A. Environmental Quality Objectives Chair Gardner gave an introduction on the draft proposals and suggested reviewing it in total before wordsmithing. She noted a few minor changes to Transportation, Item 1, coordinating with outside agencies on transportation alternatives. Mr. McKenna stated that Energy proposal accurately reflected the comments in his email, but he intended as a light pollution issue, not necessarily for energy conservation. A discussion ensued on security issues and light pollution impacts on habitat. Chair Gardner suggested alternative language that would include light pollution. 3 EQAC September 30, 2014 Minutes Page 2 Mr. Kiff asked what was meant by "green opportunities" in Open Space, Item No. 2? He suggested that "green opportunities" could also mean putting solar panels in open space areas. He suggested clarifying this to mean pocket parks and urban greening. Following a discussion on the intent of Open Space Item No. 2, Chair Gardner suggested alternative language that called for looking for park and open space opportunities, regardless of size. Mr. Cox commented on opportunities for habitat rehabilitation on City-owned property. A discussion ensued on the intent of the Infrastructure proposal and the City's program to update the City's infrastructure. There was general agreement that the proposal needed to be broader. Mr. Cox commented on the need for water conservation to protect habitat. A discussion ensued on extending the reclaimed water infrastructure to other areas of the City. A discussion ensued about the intent of the Noise proposals. No changes were directed. Chair Gardner stated that Mr. Kiff had concerns about the CEQA Oversight proposals. Ms. Stevens clarified the purpose of Item 3, CEQA thresholds. Mr. Kiff indicated that he liked the idea of standardized thresholds to maintain consistency, but he still had concerns regarding EQAC review of City environmental impact reports. He stated that having a City sponsored committee comment on EIRs could increase the chances for litigation. A discussion ensued on ways to bring residents into the CEQA process. Ms. Jameson stated that the City needs citizen oversight of EIRs. A discussion ensued EQAC's role in reviewing EIRs. Mr. Yocam suggested that EQAC should encourage public participation in the EIR process. Ms. Stevens related her experience in conduction of public CEQA workshops and stated that she would do further research with how workshops are conducted in other communities. The discussion returned to ways EQAC could encourage public participation in EIRs. Chair Gardner returned the discussion back to the proposed CEQA Oversight language. There was general agreement on Item 1, continued EQAC review of EIRs for major projects in the City. A discussion ensued on the types of projects involved (i.e., City sponsored projects, private projects, and projects by other public agencies). The Committee discussed what role the EQAC could play in influencing EIRs where the City is not the lead agency. The Committee decided to 4 EQAC September 30, 2014 Minutes Page 3 clarify that EQAC would only review projects outside the City if directed to do so by the City Council. A discussion ensued on how EQAC could be involved in the early stages of an EIR and the problems associated with reviewing and commenting on notices of preparation within the 30-day time period. Chair Gardner invited public comments on the discussion thus far. Mr. Cox complemented City staff on their cooperation with Upper Newport Bay restoration projects. Mr. Mosher commented on EQAC's history of CEQA oversight, the value of having ordinary citizens comment on EIRs, and the language of the proposed document. Chair Gardner asked the Committee whether this item should be presented to the City Council at the October 28th Study Session or continue the discussion to the October 30th EQAC meeting? The Committee agreed to move forward on October 281h Responding to Chair Gardner's call, Mr. Yocam, Mr. McKenna, and Ms. Stevens volunteered to serve as a task force that would present the proposals at the October 28th Study Session. Chair Gardner polled the Committee on prioritizing the proposals. The Committee decided to put Transportation first, followed by CEQA Oversight and Infrastructure last. 5. COMMITTEE ANNOUNCEMENTS OR MATTERS WHICH MEMBERS WOULD LIKE PLACED ON A FUTURE AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION, ACTION OR REPORT (NON- DISCUSSION ITEM) None. 6. PUBLIC COMMENTS Mr. Cox and Mr. Mosher commented on the Committee's work. 7. NEXT MEETING The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, October 30, 2014, at 6:30 p.m. 8. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:56 p.m. Nancy Gardner, Chair ,5 O� WIPO�T NEWPORT BEACH U � ? aK cq�iFoaN�P_ ITEM TITLE: EQAC OBJECTIVES SITE LOCATION: Site Location: ITEM SUMMARY: Summary: Discussion of draft EQAC-recommended environmental quality objectives. RECOMMENDED Recommended Action: Review draft objectives; revise, if necessary; direct staff to ACTION: prepare a recommendation to the City Council. CEQA Compliance ATTACHMENTS: Description EQAC Proposals EQAC PROPOSALS Next to safety, quality of life is the number one concern of Newport Beach residents. One role of the Environmental Quality Affairs Committee (EQAC) is to make recommendations to the City Council on environmental quality policies, programs and regulations. EQAC recommends that the City Council direct the Committee to investigate and report back on the following initiatives to improve and/or maintain the quality of life in our City: TRANSPORTATION Traffic is a major concern. Finding ways to reduce congestion is an important goal. In addition to the Bicycle Master Plan,the following are suggested: 1. Have the City coordinate with outside organizations, including UCI and OCTA that provide important transportation alternatives and have the City consider providing funding to augment existing services in the City. 2. Explore the possibility of tram service, focusing on weekends and summers, similar to that in Laguna Beach, on the Peninsula and in Corona del Mar. In conjunction with this, identify the location of a parking hub and consider a parking structure sufficient to accommodate a significant number of cars. 3. Encourage bike sharing services. 4. Encourage private charter transportation companies currently providing "cocktail tours" to expand to include daytime beach transport. CEQA OVERSIGHT It is the opinion of the Committee that having citizen oversight on environmental impact reports (EIRs) is important as these documents focus on the impacts of a particular project on the City. The average resident is unlikely to review such a document, either because he or she is unaware of the document or intimidated by it,yet it is the residents that will bear the brunt to the project's impacts. 1. Continue to have EQAC review EIRs on major projects within the City. 2. Have EQAC review EIRs on projects outside the City that may impact the City as directed by the City Council. 3. Have EQAC develop Newport-centric CEQA thresholds of significance. 4. Involve EQAC in the early stages of EIRs 1 ENERGY The City is currently pursuing an Energy Action Plan (EAP)to become a more sustainable community and reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. A valuable addition to that plan is to reduce light pollution, reaching out to businesses, encouraging them to minimize after-hours lighting as much as possible and to eliminate spillover, particularly in areas abutting open space and habitat. OPEN SPACE 1. Protect and enhance remaining open space areas in the City. 2. Look at all areas for park and open space opportunities, regardless of size. NOISE Whether from construction, cars, airplanes or parties, noise is one of the major irritants mentioned in quality-of-life concerns. 1. Review the noise standards and consider lowering the threshold for violations. 2. Work with residents to develop improved methods of dealing with residential "party" noise. INFRASTRUCTURE Look for opportunities to expand infrastructure for the use of reclaimed water to other areas of the City. 2 g Item III: Additional Materials Received Comments on September 30, 2014, EQAC Minutes The following are suggested changes to the draft minutes being considered as Item III on the Newport Beach Environmental Quality Affairs Committee's November 20, 2014, agenda. They are submitted by: Jim Mosher 2210 Private Road, Newport Beach 92660 (949-548-6229) Changes to the passages shown in italics are suggested in strikeout underline format. 1. Page 1, Item 2 ("Roll Call"): "Council Member Petros, Mr. Gentry, Mr. Kohan, Mr. Olazabal, and Mr.Yocam were absent." [?] 2. Page 1, Item 4a, paragraph 2: "Mr. McKenna stated that the Energy proposal accurately reflected the comments in his email, but he intended it as a light pollution issue, not necessarily for energy conservation." 3. Page 2, paragraph 6 from end: "A discussion ensued on EQAC's role in reviewing EIRs." 4. Page 2, paragraph 4 from end: "Ms. Stevens related her experience in conducting public CEQA workshops ..." 5. Page 3, paragraph 3: "Mr. Cox GGmplemen complimented City staff on their cooperation with Upper Newport Bay restoration projects."