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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-11-20_EQAC_Final_Draft_Minutes The minutes from the November 20, 2014 EQAC meeting to remain as"draft"due to no form of approval. City of Newport Beach Environmental Quality Affairs Committee Minutes Date: November 20, 2014 Location: Newport Beach Civic Center— 100 Civic Center Drive Civic Center Community Room Members Nancy Gardner (Chair), Council Member Tony Petros, Kimberly Present: Jameson, Debbie Stevens, and Josh Yocam Members Absent: Tyler Gentry, Scott Kohan, and Charles McKenna Staff: Fern Nueno, Associate Planner Public: Jim Mosher 1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at approximately 5:36 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Mr. Gentry, Mr. Kohan, and Mr. McKenna were absent. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of September 30, 2014 was continued to the next meeting date. Mr. Yocam noted that it was Mr. Gentry who arrived at approximately 6:58 p.m. Written comments were received by Jim Mosher. There was no further public comment. 4. CURRENT BUSINESS A. Environmental Quality Objectives Chair Gardner gave an introduction on the item noting that the subcommittee (Ms. Stevens, Mr. McKenna, and Mr. Yocam) created the attachment with potential objectives. Ms. Stevens stated that the objectives will be reviewed by the City Council in January 2015. A discussion ensued on the transportation section. Council Member Petros stated that the committee should take the lead on these proposals as staff may not have time, and suggested changing Item 1 from "the City coordinate" to "EQAC to investigate and collaborate." Discussion continued regarding the potential for a permit parking program for the Peninsula. The minutes from the November 20, 2014 EQAC meeting to remain as"draft"due to no form of approval. EQAC November 20, 2014 Minutes Page 2 Council Member Petros suggested the proposal remain broad to allow the committee to review specifics once direction has been provided from the Council. Discussion carried on with the CEQA proposals, including adopting local thresholds, noise standards, input from scientific organizations, quality of life, concerns over legal issues with a City committee reviewing environmental documents, and the desire for the committee to review environmental impact reports for projects outside of the City that could affect the City. Discussion ensued on the proposals for energy, including smart lighting; open space; noise; and infrastructure. It was noted that the Council already approved the infrastructure proposal. Chair Gardner stated that this proposal will help the committee by establishing specific tasks and further defining the mission of the committee, similar to what occurred with Harbor Commission. Ms. Stevens inquired about a sustainability plan. Discussion continued on the sustainability policies of the General Plan Amendment moving forward, the role for the committee, the Orange County Council of Governments Sustainable Communities Strategy, and the lack of potential for Measure I funds for ground water for the Back Bay. 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. Jim Mosher commented on the opportunities at earlier meetings to rearrange the operations of the committee; the benefit of receiving comments from the community on environmental issues and communicating those back to the Council; bringing back previous committee responsibilities, such as reviewing legislation, discussing techniques, and having a more in depth analysis than the Council; and the benefit of a pure citizens committee without Council Members. Mr. Mosher commented on the EQAC Proposals stating that he recalled the first sentence had been changed. He continued about specific solutions ready to be implemented, directing traffic during congested periods, mitigating traffic if the current General Plan is built out, and the noise from traffic. Chair Gardner suggested that if there are any further comments to send them to Council Member Petros. Discussion continued on broad directions versus too specific and pigeonholing the committee, redirecting traffic and traffic congestion, being more of an investigative committee, and the potential to invite experts to do presentations similar to the water quality committee. The minutes from the November 20, 2014 EQAC meeting to remain as"draft"due to no form of approval. EQAC November 20, 2014 Minutes Page 3 Ms. Stevens thanked Council Member Gardner for all of her work, as Council Member Gardner's Council term is ending this year. 7. NEXT MEETING To be determined. 8. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at approximately 6:15 p.m. Nancy Gardner, Chair The agenda for the Regular Meeting was posted on November 17, 2014 at 12:30 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 November 17, 2014, at 12:40 p.m.