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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03 - EQAC Amendment to ResolutionCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT Agenda Item No. 3 May 13, 2008 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: City Manager's Office Sharon Wood, Assistant City Manager 949 - 644 -3222, swood @city.newport - beach.ca.us SUBJECT: Amendment to Resolution Establishing Environmental Quality Affairs Committee ISSUE: Should the City Council broaden the purpose and responsibilities of the Environmental Quality Affairs Committee (EQAC)? RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Resolution 2008 -_, adding a mission statement and broadening the responsibilities of EQAC. DISCUSSION: EQAC has begun to take an interest in environmental issues beyond environmental analysis of development .projects, such as polystyrene food packaging and green building and development. The Committee has discussed its purpose and responsibilities, and is recommending changes to that section of the Resolution establishing EQAC, as well as the addition of a mission statement. The proposed mission statement reads as follows: "To protect and enhance the environmental quality of the City for the health and enjoyment of residents and visitors." EQAC proposes to revise one existing item in the Purpose and Responsibilities section, and to add two new items. The proposed change would provide for EQAC review of any negative declaration prepared by the City, if so requested by the City Council or City Manager, and would also allow EQAC to request concurrence from the Council or Manager to perform that review. The new items would allow EQAC to advise the City Council on policies, programs and projects that improve or detract from the Amendment to Resolution Establishing EQAC May 13, 2008 Page 2 environmental quality of the city; and to promote education and awareness on positive environmental practices. Submitted by: Sharon Wood Assistant City Manager Attachment: Resolution RESOLUTION NO. 2008- A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 2004 -39 REGARDING MISSION AND PURPOSE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WHEREAS, the City Council has established the Environmental Quality Affairs Committee (EQAC) with provisions including membership, attendance, purpose and responsibilities; and WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to add a mission statement for EQAC, and to clarify and broaden its purpose and responsibilities; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Newport Beach does hereby amend Attachment A to Resolution 2004 -39 to read as Exhibit A to this Resolution, attached hereto and by reference made a part hereof. ADOPTED this day of May 2008. MAYOR ATTEST: CITY CLERK EXHIBIT A ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AFFAIRS CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE AUTHORIZATION: The Environmental Quality Affairs Citizens Advisory Committee (Committee) established by Resolution No. 87 -14, adopted on January 12, 1987; amended by Resolution No. 88 -105, adopted October 24, 1988 and blanket Resolution No. 90 -123. Committee restructured by adoption of Resolution No. 98 -17, adopted on February 23, 1998 (repeals all other resolutions). Membership revised by adoption of Resolution No. 98 -60 on August 24, 1998 (amends Res. 98 -17). Appointment of officers clarified by adoption of Resolution No. 2000 -10 on January 25, 2000. Membership, Rules, and Purpose and Responsibilities revised by adoption of Resolution No. 2000 -90 on October 24, 2000. Membership revised by adoption, of Resolution No. 2001 -61 on July 10, 2001. Revised by adoption of Resolution No. 2001 -73 on August 14, 2001. Membership provisions amended by adoption of Resolution No. 2003 -18 on March 25, 2003. Membership, Rules, and Purpose, and Responsibilities amended by adoption of Resolution 2004 -39 on May 25, 2004. MEMBERSHIP: A. Two (2) Council Members. B. The Chair (or Chair's designee) of the Economic Development Committee. C. Chairperson of Committee shall be a citizen (at large) appointed by the Mayor. D. Seven (7) members, one from each City Council district, nominated by the District Council Member and confirmed by the City Council. If a Council Member chooses, he /she may appoint a person who does not reside in his/her District. If a Council. Member does not fill a vacancy within sixty (60) days from the date of the vacancy, the Committee may recommend candidates for the City Council's consideration. Candidates recommended by the Committee need not reside in the District in which there is a vacancy. E. Seven (7) citizens at large, one nominated by each City Council Member and confirmed by the City Council. At the request of a Council Member, or if a Council Member does not fill a vacancy within sixty (60) days, the Committee may recommend candidates for the City Council's consideration. F. Four (4) members who are active in homeowners or community associations or any other civic or community groups, appointed by the City Council from recommendations from the Committee. G. Three (3) members who have knowledge of CEQA administration or environmental issues of concern to Newport Beach (e.g., water quality, airport noise, traffic), appointed by the City Council from recommendations from the Committee. Staff. Assistant City Manager or Designee TERM: District and at -large members shall have terms that coincide with the terms of the Council Members nominating. them.. Association and special expertise members shall have terms of four (4) years, and may serve no more than two (2) consecutive terms. All members shall serve at the pleasure of the City Council. RULES: A. All members, other than Council Members shall have one (1) vote on the committee. B. The officers of said Committee shall be comprised of a Chairperson and Vice - chairperson. The Chairperson, shall be appointed by the Mayor and the Vice - chairperson shall be elected by the Committee. C. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the currently appointed members of the Committee, not counting the Council Members. D. If a member is absent from three (3) meetings during . a twelve month period without an excused absence, this fact shall be reported to the Mayor, and the Mayor shall send that member a letter regarding his /her attendance and continued service on the Committee. Reports and recommendations from the Committee shall be made to staff, the Planning Commission or the City Council. Committee comments on projects by other agencies shall be distributed to such agencies only after the comments are approved by the City Council, or the City Manager if City Council approval is not practicable. F. Any publications of the Committee shall require authorization from the City Council. G. Any letter written by a member of the Committee that represents the position of the Committee, or stating any recommendation made, or action taken by the Committee, shall be authorized by the Committee during a duly noticed public meeting. In the event the Committee has, at a duly noticed public meeting, delegated the responsibility for any task to a Subcommittee, the Subcommittee may authorize one or more of its members to perform that task and subject to the Rules applicable to the Committee, prepare and submit comments and /or state the position of the Committee. H. The Committee, or a Subcommittee designated by the Committee, shall interview each candidate or prospective member before recommending that candidate to the City Council. MISSION: To protect and enhance the environmental quality of the, City for the health and enioyment of residents and visitors. PURPOSE & A. To review and submit comments during the public RESPONSIBILITIES: review period upon publication of the Notice of Preparation (NOP) and /or the Notice of Completion (NOC) with respect to any Environmental Impact Report (EIR) prepared by the City. B. if requested by the City Council or the City Manager, to review and, subject to the approval of the City Council or City Manager, submit, on behalf of the City, comments on any environmental document prepared by another public agency for a Project that has the potential to cause significant adverse environmental impacts in the City of Newport Beach. C. The Committee may review and submit comments on any negative declaration prepared by the City for any project that is not subject to the review and/or approval of any other Board, Commission or Committee without first receiving a request from the City Council or City Manager. C. TohA GArnmittP.P Tote,Qy.receive or request concurrence from the City Council or City Manager to review and submit comments on any negative declaration prepared by the City for any project that is Rot s ,bjeGt to the r e D. To advise the City Council on policies programs and projects that improve or detract from the environmental quality of the city. E. To promote education and awareness on positive environmental practices. F. To request that the City Manager to--schedule presentations from City staff relative to activities with the potential to impact the environment and quality of life issues. €G. To request that the City Manager and/or City Council to--schedule a presentation from members of the Committee to the City Council relative to any action of the Committee or any activity that the Committee has determined could have a significant effect on Newport Beach.