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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-09-30_EQAC_Final_Draft_Minutes The minutes from the September 30, 2014 EQAC meeting to remain as"draft"due to no form of approval. 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, Tyler Gentry, Charles Present: McKenna, Debbie Stevens, Josh Yocam Members Absent: Council Member Tony Petros, 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. Gentry, Mr. Kohan, Mr. Olazabel, 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 the Energy proposal accurately reflected the comments in his email, but he intended it 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. The minutes from the September 30, 2014 EQAC meeting to remain as"draft"due to no form of approval. 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 on 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 conducting 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 The minutes from the September 30, 2014 EQAC meeting to remain as"draft"due to no form of approval. 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 complimented 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 The agenda for the Regular Meeting was posted on September 25, 2014 at 4:20 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 September 25, 2014, at 4:25 p.m.