HomeMy WebLinkAboutEQCB Min 2000-06-28
t
.1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
.22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
.44
45
CITY OF SEAL BEACH
Environmental Quality Control Board
Minutes
June 28, 2000
The Environmental Quality Control Board (EQCB) meeting of June 28, 2000 was
called to order by Chairperson Porter at 6:30 p.m. The meeting was held in City
Council Chambers.
Pledge of Allegiance
II Roll Call
Present:
Absent:
Also
Present:
Chairperson Porter, Members Hurley, Jones, and Voce.
Member McGuire
Department of Develooment Services
Mac Cummins, Assistant Planner
Mr. Cummins noted that he had spoken with Member McGuire approximately one
month before, and he thought she had stated that she would be present at tonight's
meeting. He stated that she might have been referring to the July meeting of the
EQCB.
MOTION by Hurley; SECOND by Voce to excuse Member McGuire.
MOTION CARRIED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
4-0
Hurley, Jones, Porter, and Voce
None
McGuire
III Approval of Agenda
MOTION by Hurley; SECOND by Voce to approve the Agenda as presented.
MOTION CARRIED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
4-0
Hurley, Jones, Porter, and Voce
None
McGuire
\\sCULL Y\CARMEN\EQCB Documents\06-2S-QO EaCB Mlnutes.doc
1
.~
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
.23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
.45
46
City of Seal Beach Environmental Quality Control Board
Meeting Minutes of June 28, 2000
IV Oral Communications
None
V Consent Calendar
1. RECEIVE AND FILE - Status Report: Pacific Coast Highway & Seal Beach
Boulevard Contamination. Report dated June 14, 2000.
2. RECEIVE AND FILE - Memorandum Re: Seal Beach Weapons Support
Facility - Installation Restoration Program - Environmental Restoration,
Department of the Navy, February 2000.
3. RECEIVE AND FILE - Memorandum Re: Seal Beach Weapons Support
Facility - Installation Restoration Program - Status Report Re: RAB Project
Update.
4. RECEIVE AND FILE - Staff Report to EQCB Re: Screening Aquatic
Ecological Risk Assessment of Perimeter Pond Adjacent to Site 7 Station
Landfill.
5. RECEIVE AND FILE - Staff Report to EQCB Re: Baseline Survey,
subsurface soil and groundwater investigation - Site 14, Naval Weapons
Station, Seal Beach. Survey dated May 10, 2000.
6. RECEIVE AND FILE - Memorandum Re: Receipt of Orange County Council
of Governments "Air Quality Technical Assistance Program. Memorandum
dated June 2, 2000.
7. RECEIVE AND FILE - Memorandum Re: Receipt of Orange County Council
of Governments "Regional Information Brief, Topic: SCAG's Regional
Transportation Plan (RTP)." Report dated February 2000.
8. RECEIVE AND FILE - Memorandum Re: Receipt of Orange County Council
of Governments "Air Quality Technical Assistance Program." Report dated
April 21, 2000.
9. RECEIVE AND FILE - Staff Report to EQCB Re: Notice of Preparation re:
Re-Adoption of the Central Long Beach Redevelopment Project - City of
Long Beach. NOP dated May 17, 2000.
10. RECEIVE AND FILE - Staff Report to EQCB Re: Draft Subsequent
Environmental Impact Report Re: Long Beach City Center, City of Long
Beach. Report dated May 2000.
\\sCULL Y\CARMEN\EQCB Documents\06-28-00 EQCB Minutes.doc
2
.~
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
.23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
.45
46
City of Seal Beach Environmental Quality Control Board
Meeting Minutes of June 28, 2000
11. RECEIVE AND FILE - Staff Report to EQCB Re: Mitigated Declaration and
Initial Study for Sunset Trailer Park Closure, City of Westminster. Study dated
May 22, 2000.
MOTION by Hurley; SECOND by Voce to approve the Consent Calendar as presented.
MOTION CARRIED:
A YES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
4-0
Hurley, Jones, Porter, and Voce
None
McGuire
VI Public Hearings
None.
VII Scheduled Matters
12. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - May 24,2000
Recommendation: Approve Minutes subject to any corrections determined
appropriate.
Member Voce said that he would abstain from voting on this item as he was not present
at the meeting of May 24, 2000.
MOTION by Porter; SECOND by Hurley to approve the Minutes of May 24, 2000 as
presented.
MOTION CARRIED:
A YES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
3-0-1
Hurley, Jones, and Porter
None
McGuire
Voce
VIII Staff Concerns
Mr. Cummins noted that an extra item for discussion at the next EQCB meeting had
been enclosed with tonight's agenda package in order to allow time for the Board
Members to review it prior to that meeting.
\\sCULL Y\CARMEN\EQCB Documents\06-2S-00 EQCB Minutes.doc
3
.~
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
- 23
.24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
.45
46
City of Seal Beach Environmental Quality Control Board
Meeting Minutes of June 28, 2000
IX Board Concerns
Mr. Cummins reported that he had spoken with Captain Schaefer of the Seal Beach
Police Department (SBPD) regarding Member Jones' concerns about graffiti along the
City boundaries. He stated that Captain Schaefer had indicated that when graffiti is
identified, the standard procedure is that a police officer will take photographs of the
graffiti. The photographs are then given to one of the detectives at SBPD for
investigation. He explained that SBPD is aware of graffiti that is of a violent nature and
if they cannot determine the identification of it, SBPD will contact other police
departments to assist in determining the origins of the graffiti. Mr. Cummins stated that
SBPD does not have a full-time staff person assigned to gangs or graffiti. Member
Jones asked about removal of the graffiti. Mr. Cummins responded that the Public
Works Department would be responsible for removal of the graffiti. Member Hurley
asked if SBPD had a history in dealing with graffiti in Seal Beach. Mr. Cummins replied
that he had not inquired about previous experience with graffiti problems. Member
Hurley asked if Captain Schaefer mentioned whether he had noted a trend towards an
increase in occurrences of graffiti. Mr. Cummins responded that his impression was
that this was not a major problem within the City.
Mr. Cummins reported on the issue of whether or not a buffer zone was needed around
wetlands regions. He indicated that all research conducted by Staff and reference to a
map of the Hellman Ranch property reflect that currently there are no regulations or
mandates for a buffer zone around wetlands. He stated that there is a Coastal
Commission policy that prohibits development within 100 feet of a wetland area, but
there is nothing in any city code stating that it is mandatory that a buffer zone around a
wetland area be designated. Member Voce stated that he recalled that at Bolsa Chica a
developer attempted to use a 50-foot setback that was a buffer zone as a greenbelt for
pedestrians and dog walkers, which completely defeated the purpose of the buffer. He
stated that this project was rejected. Member Voce indicated that he was not sure who
sets the guidelines, but the California Department of Fish & Game makes
recommendations. He said that RAMSAR, an international wetlands group made up of
many nations, has come together and set guidelines mandating a minimum of a
500-foot buffer zone as an elective policy. He said that discussion on this issue should
be undertaken when deciding on public policy and environmental policy because as a
municipality it is very relevant to set buffer zones. He stated that even though Staff was
unable to find laws that mandate a buffer zone, the City could mandate that this zone be
established. He asked to see the map of the Hellman Property that Mr. Cummins had
referred to and indicated that he was not sure if the Hellman Project would be coming
before City Council for a review of the new project plans. Mr. Cummins responded that
the project would return to the City Council for review of the plans for the houses, but
subdivision of the land has already received approval. Member Voce asked if there was
anything being done about a wetlands restoration plan. Mr. Cummins replied that he
was not aware of any new plans for wetlands restoration. He proceeded to review the
map of the Hellman Project from which he had taken his information, designating the
wetlands areas, the border of Gum Grove Park, and the property lines. Member Jones
asked if the boundaries were actual survey lines or arbitrary borders that might change.
\\SCULL Y\CARMEN\EQCB Documents\06-28-00 EQCB Mlnutes.doc
4
.~
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
.23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
.45
46
City of Seal Beach Environmental Quality Control Board
Meeting Minutes of June 28, 2000
Member Voce responded that these were the existing fence lines. Member Jones
asked if a fence could be put up around the wetlands. Member Voce responded that
initially the property was not fenced and then there was a fence placed between Gum
Grove and the rest of the Hellman Property. Member Jones stated that many times
fences are put up without any surveying done and they are simply placed where people
think the boundaries are. Mr. Cummins stated that this might be the case with the
Hellman Property, and that an actual survey of the boundaries might not be completed
until the property is deeded over to the City. He explained that when the golf course
project was rejected as a part of this development, the lots for the homes were made
slightly larger than had originally been proposed. Member Voce pointed out the
proposed new entrance to Gum Grove Park and asked if this was to be built on
mandate from the Coastal Commission. Mr. Cummins responded that he was not sure
of what the background of the new entrance was. He said that he simply knew that it
would be constructed along with more parking for visitors to Gum Grove. Member Voce
described the state of the wetlands and noted that the City Council might have to
designate an official task force to complete restoration plans for the wetlands. He said
that he had spoken to John Bradley, the Fish & Wildlife officer for the wildlife refuge on
the Naval Weapons Station, and he is very interested in making sure that the wetland
areas are restored and possibly connected, because Canadian geese stopover in these
freshwater wetlands. He stated that the emergency vehicle road constructed by the City
in this area partially filled in the wetlands. He said that this road can be reduced to
standard size and the macadam removed allowing for further restoration of the wetlands
and trails in the park. Member Jones asked to see a map of what the final layout of the
restored wetlands would be. Member Voce stated that he could provide xerox copies of
the map with the proposed wetlands improvements. Member Jones requested
clarification of the definition of a wetland, which Member Voce provided. Member Voce
continued by describing some of the proposed recommendations for improvement of
Gum Grove Park. He noted that the wetlands restoration would probably not take place
until a later time in the future. Member Jones asked about whether any heavy
equipment would be brought in to make the improvements. Member Voce stated that a
skiploader might be needed to remove the macadam.
Member Jones stated that he would be interested in holding an EQCB meeting at the
Gum Grove Park site, noting that he had not visited the park since the 1970s. Member
Voce expressed his concerns over the problem of the psyllid infestation of the red gum
eucalyptus trees in Southern California and explained the measures being taken by the
State of California to attempt to eliminate this problem, as it also affects the eucalyptus
trees in Gum Grove Park.
Vice-Chairperson Hurley asked if the Hellman Project had to be reviewed again by the
California Coastal Commission. Mr. Cummins confirmed that the revised plans for the
housing development would have to go back before the Coastal Commission, but the
wetlands area would not have to be reviewed again. Vice-Chairperson Hurley stated
that he was under the impression that the wetlands would be filled in and then re-
created. He asked if the wetlands were mentioned in the Environmental Impact Report
(EIR). Member Voce stated that the wetlands issue was covered in the EIR, and the
\\sCULL Y\CARMEN\EQCB Documents\06-28-00 EaCB Minutes.doc
5
.~
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
.23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
.45
46
City of Seal Beach Environmental Quality Control Board
Meeting Minutes of June 28, 2000
map that he had shared with the members tonight reflected the findings of the EIR.
Vice-Chairperson Hurley asked if mitigation measures had been set forth in the EJR for
the wetlands. Member Voce stated that this had changed because the golf course
would not longer be a part of the Hellman Project. Vice-Chairperson Hurley stated that
he did not realize that the most recent review by the Coastal Commission only included
the houses. Mr. Cummins stated that because the houses had been approved
previously, there would be no reason for the Coastal Commission to deny the new
application to build the homes with slightly larger lots. Member Voce stated that
whatever happened with the wetlands, it would still be necessary to go before the
Coastal Commission. He said that because this is a restoration construction project for
land within the Coastal Zone, the Coastal Commission would want to review it. Vice-
Chairperson Hurley asked if the City should go on record as the "proposer" of this
project. Member Voce stated that grant money from Proposition 12 and 13 could be
used as "seed money" to purchase the wetlands from the Hellmans and begin a
wetlands restoration plan. Vice-Chairperson Hurley asked if Member Voce was working
through his Councilperson to help accomplish this. Member Voce stated that the
Councilperson for his district is on the newly formed San Gabriel River Conservancy
and now has direct input for the City of Seal Beach. Vice-Chairperson Hurley asked if
Member Voce wanted any help from the EOCB. Member Voce stated that members
could tour Gum Grove Park to get a better idea of what Member Voce was talking
about. Vice-Chairperson Hurley recommended having the next regularly scheduled
meeting of the EOCB at Gum Grove Park. Mr. Cummins recommended that the visit to
the park be made immediately following the next regularly scheduled meeting. The
members agreed that this would be possible. Vice-Chairperson Hurley suggested that
those eucalyptus trees in Gum Grove that do die should be replaced with other types of
trees. Member Voce stated that many people prefer having the eucalyptus trees. He
said that he preferred diversifying the types of trees in the park. Mr. Cummins
recommended that the EQCB approach City Council and request approval for a Gum
Grove Park Restoration Committee. He stated that if the Board members were
interested, they could meet at Gum Grove, otherwise, EOCB members could be going
to a lot of work for nothing. He offered to prepare a memorandum addressed to the City
Council requesting a special committee for the Gum Grove Park restoration. He said he
could have it ready for review by the Board at the next EQCB meeting. Member Jones
asked if the recommendations would be for restoration of the wetlands or Gum Grove
Park only. Member Voce responded that it would be for Gum Grove Park, but would
include the wetlands. Member Jones asked for clarification of the proposed
improvements. Using the map, Member Voce provided clarification. Chairperson
Porter asked if the road that runs along the wetlands lies within the buffer zone, and if
so, this would not meet with the definition of a buffer zone. Member Voce responded
that it would not, but it would depend on how roads are defined. Chairperson Porter
asked Mr. Cummins to prepare the memorandum. Member Voce reported that the
volunteer Gum Grove Park Committee would be meeting on July 10, 2000, if the other
members were interested in attending. Member Voce cautioned about more than 3 of
the EQCB members attending this meeting, as it might be a violation of the Brown Act.
He recommended the board members rotating attendance at these meetings.
\\sCULL Y\CARMEN\EQCB Documents\06-2S-00 EQCB Mlnutes.doc
6
'f
.~
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
.23
24
25
26
27
28
29
.
City of Seal Beach Environmental Quality Control Board
Meeting Minutes of June 28, 2000
Chairperson Porter stated that he looked forward to reviewing the map for Gum Grove
Park, making the site visit, and reviewing the memorandum to be prepared by Mr.
Cummins.
X Adjournment
MOTION by Porter; SECOND by Hurley to adjourn to the scheduled July 2000 meeting
date.
MOTION CARRIED:
A YES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
4-0
Hurley, Jones, and Porter
None
McGuire
Chairperson Porter adjourned the meeting at 7:15 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
~~
Carmen Alvarez, Executive Secretary
Department of Development Services
The Board on July 26,2000 approved the Minutes of the Environmental Quality Control
Board of Wednesday, June 24, 2000. ~
\\sCULL Y\CARMEN\EQCB Documents\06-2S-00 EQCB Mlnutes.doc
7