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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-06-26_EQAC_Minutes_Approved City of Newport Beach Environmental Quality Affairs Committee Minutes Date: June 26, 2014 Location: Newport Beach Civic Center — 100 Civic Center Drive Civic Center Community Room Members Nancy Gardner (Chair), Council Member; Tony Petros, Charles Present: McKenna, Tyler Gentry, Debbie Stevens, Josh Yocam Members Absent: Kimberly Jameson and Joshua Olazabal Staff: Aaron Harp, City Attorney; Patrick Alford, Planning Program Manager Public: Philip Bettencourt, Ken Drellishak, Jim Mosher, Kristen Petros, Diane Dixon, and Heather Grumbine. 1 . CALL MEETING TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at approximately 6:31 pm . Mr. Harp determined that there was a quorum for purposes of the Brown Act. 2. ROLL CALL Ms. Jameson and Mr. Olazabal were absent. Mr. Yocam arrived at approximately 6:33 p.m. 3. CURRENT BUSINESS A. Environmental Quality Objectives Chair Gardner stated that the purpose of the meeting was to agree on objectives that would improve the City's environmental quality that would be presented to the City Council. She then went over the history of the Committee. She spoke about restricting the Committee to focus on these objectives. She then summarized an email with Ms. Jameson's comments. Mr. Alford spoke briefly on the differences between goals, objectives, and policies. Council Member Petros spoke about various environmental quality initiatives that are being implemented by local governments. He added that Newport Beach is on the forefront of many of these initiatives. He mentioned the Green Building Code and Energy Action Plan as examples. Chair Gardner invited Committee members and the public to present their ideas. Mrs. Petros suggested including the acquisition of properties to expand open space areas. EQAC June 26, 2014, Minutes Page 2 Ms. Stevens spoke of the build-out of the City, with Banning Ranch being the exception, and on infill project opportunities (redevelopment and Land Use Element Update projects). Chair Gardner suggested that the acquisition of small properties would be more likely, giving the open space area near Cappy's in West Newport as an example. Mr. McKenna warned about the Committee being spread too thin and focusing on project details when the overall impact of the project is of greater concern to the community. Council Member Petros expressed concern over adding another layer to the process and spoke in favor of offering incentives instead of mandates. Mr. Yocam suggested that this could entail capital improvement projects, such as the replacement of the seawalls along Balboa Island . Council Member Petros suggested that the Committee could recommend sustainable standard practices for capital improvement projects. Council Member Gardner said that she did not want the Committee to be too broad and the need to balance large and small initiatives. Ms. Stevens stated that the Committee used to only review environmental impact reports (EIRs), but that EIRs have become more complex. She questioned the Committee's ability to look at the entire EIR and perhaps should focus on major issues. A discussion ensued about the Committee's past involvement with the Styrofoam ban and leaf blowers. Mr. Mosher gave a summary of the City Council's actions regarding the Committee's responsibilities since its inception in 1972. Mr. Yocam suggested that the Committee could connect best management practices with projects. Council Member Petros expressed support for the Committee's original 1972 mandate, which was to stay informed of the latest environmental management techniques and to bring them to the attention of the City Council . Mr. Yocam suggested a brainstorming session to come up with ideas. Chair Gardner said that if the goals were too general , nothing would get done. Mr. Harp suggested that the Committee set up a large umbrella for their mission and then develop specific objectives. A discussion ensued about applying recommendations to specific projects. Mr. Yocam stated that making such general recommendations should not cause the Committee to lose its project-by-project focus. EQAC June 26 , 2014, Minutes Page 3 Chair Gardner stated that the Committee would no longer be reviewing EIRs. Ms. Stevens suggested that the Committee should review notices of preparation for EIRs. Mr. Yocam suggested that the Committee brainstorm and pick the top eight ideas. Council Member Petros suggested aligning with the goals the City Council sets annually. Mr. Drellishak stated that the Committee used to review EIRs as a service to the community. He then spoke of the importance of commenting on the John Wayne Airport Settlement Agreement Extension EIR. A discussion ensued as to the Committee's next step. The consensus was that each member should come up with ideas for the next meeting . Chair Gardner directed staff to prepare an overview of the City's current initiatives. Council Member Petros stated that he would provide a copy of information he has on what other communities are doing . Chair Gardner also directed staff to prepare a new structure for the Committee along the lines of the 1972 charter. Mrs. Petros wanted to investigate how broad policies could be implemented at the permit level . Mr. Alford gave a summary of the various levels of review by the City, including discretionary permits, administrative permits, codified standards, and guidelines. Mr. Mosher commented on the productivity of the Harbor Commission and how the City Council views them as a resource. He suggested that the Council was not referring environmental issues, such as the Fire Rings and Energy Action Plan to the Committee. Mr. Bettencourt noted that he may have drafted the original 1972 Committee charter. Mr. McKenna expressed concern about the Committee's focus narrowing to just sustainability measures. Council Member Petros suggested that the Committee should have a broad scope. Ms. Stevens commented on the Committee's recent inability to comment on EIRs. Ms. Dixon stated she sees the Committee as taking some of the burden off the City Council and giving the community a voice on environmental quality issues. A discussion ensued on the time constraints for reviewing EIRs and NOPs and on the Committee's ability to provide expertise for reviewing all EIR chapters. EQAC June 26, 2014, Minutes Page 4 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 None. 7) NEXT MEETING To be determined , but generally on Thursdays at 6:30 p. m. 8) ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:44 p. m . Nanc ••Gard h 'r The agenda for the Regular Meeting was posted on June 17, 2014 at 4:45 p.m. in the Chambers binder located inside the vestibule of the Council Chambers at 100 Civic Center Drive and on the City's website on June 17, 2014, at 5:05 p.m .