HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-06-21_EQUAC_AgendaCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AFFAIRS
COMMITTEE AGENDA
DATE /TIME: Monday, June 21, 2010
7:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Police Department Auditorium
870 Santa Barbara Drive
Roll Call
1. Minutes of April 19, 2010 (attachment)
2. Smoking prohibitions update and discussion (attachment)
Guest speakers: Gary Sherwin, Newport Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau
Natalie Wolfs, MSW /MPA, Regional Program Director, American Lung
Association
Abby Michelsen, President, Newport Harbor High School Heart Club
3. Re- appointment of subcommittee to review Banning Ranch Draft Environmental Impact
Report
4. Coastal /Bay Water Quality Committee Representatives' Report
5. Economic Development Committee Representative's Report
6. Report from Staff on Current Projects
7. Public Comments
8. Future Agenda Items
9. Adjournment
NEXT MEETING DATE: July 19, 2010
'Attachments can be found on the City's website htti): / /www.newportbeachca.gov. Once there, click on Agendas
and Minutes then scroll to and click on Environmental Quality Affairs. If attachment is not on the web page, it is
also available in the City of Newport Beach Planning Department, 3300 Newport Boulevard, Building C, 2n' Floor.
Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the Environmental Quality Affairs Committee regarding any item on this agenda will be made
available for public inspection in the Planning Department located at 3300 Newport Blvd., Newport Beach, CA 92663 during normal business
hours.
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Nancy Gardner, Council Member
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CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
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ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
X
Laura Curran
DRAFT MINUTES April 19, 2010
The Environmental Quality Affairs Committee held at the City of Newport Beach Police
Department Auditorium, 870 Santa Barbara Drive, on Monday, April 19, 2010.
Members Present:
A
Nancy Gardner, Council Member
E
Barbara Thibault
X
Michael Henn, Council Member
X
Laura Curran
X
Arlene Greer, Chair
X
Vincent Le ore
X
Kimberly Jameson
X
Kevin Nolen
X
Kevin Kell
A
Sandra Haskell
E
Michael Smith
X
Kathy Harrison
X
Ed Reno
X
Timothy Stoaks
A
Nick Roussos
X
Jay Myers
X
Joan Penfil
X
Charles McKenna
X
Bruce Asper
E
Debra Stevens
A
Merritt Van Sant
E
Michael Alti
Staff Representatives:
X James Campbell, Principal Planner
Guests:
Chairperson Greer called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
1. Minutes of February 22, 2010
Joan Penfil moved and Bruce Asper seconded to approve the minutes of February 22, 2010,
as submitted.
Motion passed unanimously
2. Banning Ranch Presentations
a. Banning Ranch Conservancy — Stephen Ray provided an overview of the
Conservancy's efforts to secure funding for the acquisition of the Banning
Ranch property to preserve the site as habitat and open space as a component
of the overall River Park concept. He noted the Conservancy's goal to save the
land from development due to the elimination of critical habitat and open space.
b. Newport Banning Ranch — Mike Mohler provided an overview of the Newport
Banning Ranch project that consists of the preservation of 65% of the 400 acre
property as open space, environmental remediation /restoration efforts,
consolidated oil production, 1,375 residential units, 75,000 square feet of
commercial development and a 75 room hotel. He indicated that the comments
from EQAC on the Notice of Preparation will be addressed in the forthcoming
EIR being prepared by the City.
3. Coastal /Bay Water Quality Committee Representative's Report
Council Member Henn reported that the Committee received a presentation from the Utilities
Department on the City's water wells in Fountain Valley. The Committee also heard a
presentation on the Poseidon desalination plant proposed in Huntington Beach. Council
Member Henn indicated that should the Poseidon facility come on -line in the future, its water
production, combined with the City's wells, should make the City 100% independent from
State water resources.
4. Economic Development Committee Representative's Report
Chairperson Greer reported that EDC had discussed sales and use taxes and the importance
of transient occupancy taxes and the continuing efforts to secure hotel stays in the City for
future Rose Bowl and BCS national championship football games. Transient occupancy tax
revenue is on the rise and restaurants who participated in the recent Restaurant Weeks
experienced increased sales. The next Restaurant Week will be in January of 2011.
Chairperson Greer went on to report that the Marriott Hotel in Newport Center is planning an
expansion of their ballroom spaces and that the City is examining its way- finding signs to
improve their effectiveness. It was reported to the EDC that the blighted property on the north
side of Coast Highway east of Dover Drive has been sold and the new owners are developing
plans for redeveloping the site. Lastly, Chairperson Greer reminded the Committee 2010
Newport Beach Film Festival begins this week, April 22, 2010, and the Newport to Ensenada
Race starts this Friday, April 23, 2010.
5. Report from Staff on Current Projects
Jim Campbell reported that the draft EIR for the Banning Ranch project is expected to be
released for public review in mid -June.
6. Public Comments
None
7. Future Agenda Items
May — Smoking Ban update.
8. Adjournment
Chairperson Greer adjourned the meeting at 8:35 p.m.
April 2, 2010
Nancy,
I looked over the information from the person that contacted you about second —hand
smoking.
I made the decision that we might be able to get additional restrictions in public parks and
recreational facilities, butt do not think that we are ready to try to restrict smoking in
private homes.
wrote this in March and there was no meeting and I will be out of town in April.
If you think that it is important to bring this issue back to GQAC, here is a copy that we
might submit if the Committee is agreeable.
Soon after I wrote this, I read it has been decided to try to restrict smoking in all
Califomia parks. I'm not sure how far this movement will go, but feel that public
sentiment is with us.
UNRM, MWS1•li I IM171
To: City of Newport Beach Mayor and City Council
From: Environmental Quality Affairs Citizens Advisory Committee (EQAC)
Subject: Consideration of Prohibiting Smoking in Public Parks and Recreational
Facilities
Background
The Newport Beach Municipal Code prohibits smoking in a number of places,
including elevators, public areas of hospitals and health care facilities, hospital rooms
with 2 or more people, theaters and auditoriums, public restrooms, indoor service lines
and restaurants. Smoking is regulated in places of employment. Smoking is also
prohibited on beaches, piers, public floats, public wharves, Inspiration Point and Lookout
Point.
At its meeting on February 22, 2010, the Environmental Quality Affairs Committee
(EQAC) revisited the possibility of the City adopting additional smoking prohibitions.
It was decided to focus on trying to extend the prohibition of smoking to public parks and
recreational facilities.
Summary of smoking prohibitions in surrounding cities
Atl of the following cities currently prohibit smoking in public parks and /or recreational
facilities:
Burbank Parks, city facilities, bikeways.
Calabasis (2006) Ord. #2009 -239 Public places
Fountain Valley (2007) Ch 12.08 412.080.85 City parks and recreational facilities
Irvine (2000) Sec.4 -10 -512 Public parks and recreational facilities
Laguna Beach (2004) Ch.7.40 #7.40.105 Public parks
Laguna Hills 5.28.030 Public parks
Los Angeles Griffith Park
Santa Monica (2004) Art.4 Ch.4.44 Public parks
Seal Beach (2005) Section 4, #7.55.01.0 Parks, dog parks
As outlined above, many cities, in recent years, have adopted ordinances prohibiting
smoking in public parks and recreational facilities.
Reasons for Smoking Prohibitions
The primary reason for adopting smoking prohibitions is to protect people from the
effects of second -hand smoke, which is responsible for increased risk of many diseases,
including the following:
Secondhand smoke is responsible for the deaths of as many as 73,000 nonsmokers in the
US each year.
Exposure to second hand smoke increases the risk of coronary heart disease by about
30% in nonsmokers.
Secondhand smoke causes as many as 300,000 cases of respiratory infections, such as
pneumonia and bronchitis, in children under the age of 18 months, each year in the US.
Childhood asthma is also increased.
A very recent study, completed at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and published
2/8/2010, raises concerns about third -hand smoke. This is the residue that clings to
surfaces long after a cigarette is put out. The residue reacts with the common air pollutant
nitrous oxide to produce carcinogens.
Although the risk of inhaling dust or the contact of skin with carpets or clothing is greater
inside than it is outside, studies have shown that smoking outside is not much of an
improvement. Nicotine residues stick to smokers and get spread everywhere. The biggest
risk is to young children, through skin contact. Although further studies will follow, it
seems prudent to keep surfaces and dust in public parks free of a potential carcinogenic.
Effects on Business
Adding a smoking prohibition to public parks and recreational facilities would seem to
have little or no effect on businesses.
Enforcement
The Newport Beach Police do not enforce the City's current smoking prohibitions. They
do respond to complaints of violation. Enforcement of an additional prohibition would
probably be the same.
References
Destaillats, Sleiman, Gundel, Singer, "Third -hand Smoke Hazards" Lawrence
Berkeley National Laboratory, January 6, 2010
"Model California Ordinance Regulating Smoking in Outdoor Areas"
June 2009, p4
Wood, S. "City Council Staff Report" March 10. 2009
ecan.etr.org