HomeMy WebLinkAboutEQCB Min 2004-03-31
.~
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
.
1CITY OF SEAL BEACH
Environmental Quality Control Board
Minutes of March 31, 2004
Vice-Chairperson Hurley called the Environmental Quality Control Board (EQCB)
meeting of March 31, 2004 to order at 6:30 p.m. The meeting was held in City Council
Chambers and began with the Salute to the Flag.
Roll Call
Present:
Absent:
Vice-Chairperson Hurley, Members Barton, O'Malley, and Voce
Chairperson Unrath
Also
Present:
Department of Development Services
Mac Cummins, Associate Planner
Vice-Chairperson Hurley requested that Chairperson Unrath be excused from tonight's
meeting as he is out of town.
So moved by Vice-Chairperson Hurley.
II Approval of Agenda
Vice-Chairperson Hurley requested that the order of the Agenda be rearranged by
switching the order of Item NO.5 and Item NO.4 under Scheduled Matters.
MOTION by Voce; SECOND by O'Malley to approve the Agenda as amended.
MOTION CARRIED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
4-0-1
Barton, Hurley, O'Malley, and Voce
None
Unrath
III Oral Communications
None.
1 These Minutes were transcribed from an audiotape of the meeting
03-31-04 EQCB Minutes.doc
Page 1 of 8
.~
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 Mmutes of March 31, 2004
IV Consent Calendar
1. RECEIVE AND FILE: Staff Report to the EQCB Seal Beach Naval Weapons
Station - Installation Restoration Program, Status Report Re: RAB Project
Update.
2. RECEIVE AND FILE: Staff Report to the EQCB Re: Receipt of "Groundwater
Monitoring Data Summary (October 2003) Sites 4, 5, 6, & 7, Naval Weapons
Station, Seal Beach." Report dated February 2004.
3. RECEIVE AND FILE: Staff Report to the EQCB Re: Receipt of "Final
Negative Declaration - Action Memorandum/Remedial Action Plan (AM/RAP)
for a Non-Time Critical Removal Action at Installation Restoration Program Site
7 - Station Landfill, Naval Weapons Station, Seal Beach."
MOTION by Voce; SECOND by O'Malley to approve the Consent Calendar as
presented.
MOTION CARRIED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
4-0-1
Barton, Hurley, O'Malley, and Voce
None
Unrath
V Scheduled Matters
5. Receipt of Public Comments Re: Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration-
West End Pump Station Reconstruction Project.
Recommendation: Receive comments and forward to Staff for incorporation
into final document.
Staff Presentation
Mr. Cummins stated that this CEQA document is a Mitigated Negative Declaration
(MND), which is slightly different than the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the
Boeing Project previously reviewed by the Board. He indicated that the MND has a
different standard of review and the Board's input will be slightly different. He explained
that the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process as mandated by the State
of California requires a certain level of environmental review depending upon the scope
and nature of the project. He said that an initial study is prepared by a contracted agent
that goes through a checklist of items to determine affects to be either Significant,
Potentially Significant, or to incorporate some type of mitigation to make them Less
Than Significant. He stated that the MND would be forwarded to City Council (CC) after
review and input by the EQCB. He noted that unlike the Boeing EI R, the Board would
not be reviewing this MND after this evening. He stated that the process for an MND is
03-31-04 EQCB Minutes.doc
Page 2 of 8
.~
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 March 31, 2004
to have the EQCB provide input during the 30-day comment period, which, for this
document runs from March 12,2004 to April 12, 2004. The MND will then be forwarded
to CC along with comments from the Board and all public comments received. He
reiterated that the purpose of tonight's meeting would be to receive comments from the
Board regarding the adequacy of the MND under CEQA. Vice-Chairperson Hurley
asked if Staff would prepare the Response to Comments letter after receipt of
comments from the Board and from the public, and then forward these comments to
CC? Mr. Cummins stated that all comments received would be addressed in the
Response to Comments, which would then be mailed to anyone who commented on the
document. He indicated that Board comments would be presented in a separate portion
of the City Staff Report. Vice-Chairperson Hurley asked if the general public would
receive the Response to Comments before CC receives it. Mr. Cummins stated that
members of the public could request a copy of the Staff Report the Thursday or Friday
prior to the actual Monday CC meeting. He noted that a copy of the MND is currently
available in the Department of Development Services for review by the general public.
Mr. Cummins then provided some background on this project. He stated that the West
End Pump Station (WEPS) is located directly between the Seal Beach Trailer Park
(SBTP) along First Street and the San Gabriel River. He noted that the WEPS is
located on a small piece of land that measures approximately 80 feet wide by 110 feet
deep, with the Oakwood Apartments and the Seal Beach Trailer Park (SBTP)
immediately surrounding the property and the San Gabriel River to the north. He stated
that the main access to the WEPS is located through the SBTP east of Riversea Road.
He indicated that a portion of the project area is actually located within the City of Long
Beach. He said that a copy of the Negative Declaration (ND) was mailed to the City of
Long Beach, but they have not yet submitted their comments regarding the proposed
work. Mr. Cummins then explained that the original pump station was constructed in
1959 and the current capacity is not great enough to handle a 25-year flood scenario.
He noted that because the City does now experience flooding during a heavy rain
season, funding has become available to construct a new pump facility with a greater
capacity for handling flooding. He stated that the CEQA document acknowledges that
the existing pump station does not meet the required capacity and analyzes the
incremental impact of a new pump facility. He indicated that the Deputy City Engineer,
Mark Vukojevic was also present tonight to respond to questions on this project. He
also noted that the project consultant, Diane Bathgate of Culbertson Adams Associates
(CM), would be addressing the Board tonight.
Ms. Diane Bathgate stated that the City has retained CAA to evaluate the reconstruction
project for the WEPS from a CEQA perspective. She noted that pursuant to CEQA
Guideline Section 15063, CM has prepared an initial study following the City's
environmental checklist tailored specifically to the City's needs. She indicated that the
analysis was completed under the direction of the Department of Development Services
and the Public Works Department. She said that 15 topical areas were reviewed and
are provided in the MND. Ms. Bathgate stated that the analysis was based upon the
project description and the preliminary design contained in the design report prepared
by Public Works Staff and their consulting engineer, AKM Engineers. She said that
03-31-04 EQCB Minutes.doc
Page 3 of 8
".
.~
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 Qual1ty Control Board
Meetmg Minutes of March 31, 2004
much of the data reviewed and used in the proposed MND was based upon the
engineering analysis in the preliminary design report. She noted that the project was
also reviewed in the context of some City documents such as the Master Plan of
Drainage, Sources to Master Plan, the Stormwater Quality Management Plan, and the
General Plan. She indicated that as a result of the analysis CAA is recommending 9
mitigation measures and pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, the environmental analysis
supports the issuance of a MND. Ms. Bathgate then explained that only one method of
notice is required under CEQA, but the MND has been posted to the City Website,
notice published in the Sun Newspaper, and notices mailed out to surrounding
residents. She said that the complete document was distributed to 27 public agencies
and organizations. She stated that once the public review period ends on Apnl 12,
2004, CAA would assist in preparing the response to the comments received. She said
she would be happy to respond to questions from the Board
Mr. Cummins recommended opening the Public Comment period.
Public Comments
Vice-Chairperson Hurley opened the public comment period.
There being no one wishing to speak, Vice-Chairperson Hurley closed the public
comment period.
Board Comments
Vice-Chairperson Hurley asked who had completed the Environmental Checklist. Mr.
Cummins stated that CAA had completed the list and City Staff reviewed the checklist
and concurred before the document was circulated for public review.
Member Voce referred to Page 10 and suggested that the photographs include
descriptions of the actual directional views from the pump station. He then referred to
Page 9, Section A-1 and inquired whether City Council (CC) or the Planning
Commission (PC) would be reviewing these plans. Mr. Cummins stated that typically
Staff handles this type of review. He explained that when elevation and construction
plans are submitted, Staff would review them to ensure they are compatible subject to
the standards as outlined in the MND. Mr. Vukojevic interjected that when the project
comes before CC for authorization to proceed, the plans and specs do actually go to the
Council. Member Voce then noted that the fence with the "No Parking" sign pictured in
the photo on Page 10 should be replaced.
Member Barton commented that the only access to the WEPS is via the main road
through the SBTP. She suggested that having an access road from the Oakwood
Apartments during the reconstruction phase would alleviate some of the congestion and
mess along the trailer park road. She asked if the new building for the WEPS would be
more aesthetically designed and would it be the same height and size as the existing
building? Mr. Cummins stated that the final design plan has not yet been submitted.
03-31-04 EQCB Minutes.doc
Page 4 of 8
".
.~
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 Mmutes of March 31,2004
She also noted that the fence should be replaced. She then commented that the
correct phone number should appear on the building and expressed her concern about
the amount of noise or mess there might be for the neighboring residents. Member
Barton then noted that in visiting the site she observed a lot of standing water along the
entry road.
Member O'Malley noted that in visiting the site he had also observed a lot of standing
water. He referred to Page 6, bullet item two, at the top of the page, and asked if there
are one or two engines that run the pumps. Mr. Vukojevic reported that currently there
are two natural gas engines that run one pump each. Member O'Malley asked if this
was the same engine that burned up during the October 2000 flooding. Mr. Vukojevic
responded that one of the engines had burned up. Member O'Malley asked if this
engine were to be replaced. Mr. Vukojevic stated that it had already been replaced
Member O'Malley then asked if the remaining older pump is to be replaced. Mr.
Vukojevic confirmed that it is to be replaced. Member O'Malley then asked if there
would be two reconditioned pump engines and two new electric engines. Mr. Vukojevic
confirmed that this was correct. Member O'Malley then noted that in the drawing of the
proposed site on Pages 7 & 8, he did not see the small pump and the exit into the sewer
system. He asked where this was to be placed. Mr. Vukojevic stated that Member
O'Malley was correct, and stated that this small pump is actually a bolt on pump to the
existing well at the existing station. Member O'Malley asked where it would dump into
the existing sewer line. Mr. Vukojevic stated that this would be on First Street. Member
O'Malley indicated that this would mean the water would be going in the opposite
direction as the confluence into the river is going. He asked if the project work would
entail digging up parking lots or the streets in the trailer park. Mr. Vukojevic stated that
the pump and pipe are quite small and will be mounted inside of the existing storm drain
box that runs under the trailer park. He noted that the project would not be disruptive to
the residents.
Member Barton inquired about the noise level of the engine at the new station. Mr.
Vukojevic stated that the noise level would be substantially lower as it will be an electric
motor as opposed to a natural gas engine.
Vice-Chairperson Hurley asked if after the work on the pump station is completed would
most of the noise come from the engines or the pumps. Mr. Vukojevic stated that the
new station would have electric motors, which would be relatively quiet. Vice-
Chairperson referred to Page 32 and 33 of the MND and stated that he did not find the
explanations of the findings on noise to be adequate. He read from Page 32, Section
b), Lines 5-7 and Indicated that this statement requires extensive expansion to show
why it is true. He noted that the layperson should not be expected to know City
regulations, the potential impacts should be spelled out, and the phrase "noise
restrictions" is misleading because for construction work there are no restrictions on the
amount of noise. He then referred to Page 33, Section d), and stated that this section
reflects one of the criteria in CEQA Guidelines, Appendix G, for requiring an EIR. He
also noted that no evidence is provided to support the last sentence. He stated that
this section should be redone to provide a detailed description of construction noise
03-31-04 EQCB Minutes.doc
Page 5 of 8
'.
.~
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
Meeting Minutes of March 31, 2004
impacts and explain how they can be mitigated to less than significant levels. He said
that the City needs and EIR and needs to use the Statement of Overriding
Considerations in approving the EIR so the project could be built.
Vice-Chairperson Hurley then referred to Page 1, Section II, Line 1 and stated that the
description "the east levee of the San Gabriel River" should state "southeast levee," as
the river runs northeast and southwest in its direction toward the sea. He also noted
that in the second line "northerly" should state "north easterly." He commented that the
primal directions should be stated more precisely. He continued by referring to Page
14, Section d), and stated that more discussion on the specific impacts and how the
standard measures will adequately reduce them should be included. He noted that the
influence of the ocean onshore winds at this location should also be considered. Vice-
Chairperson then referred to Page 23, 2nd paragraph under Hydrologic Studies, and
stated that this section requires clarification of how the peak flow from a 25-year storm
equals the peak discharge of a 100-year storm. Mr. Cummins assured Vice-
Chairperson Hurley that all of these comments would be addressed in the Response To
Comments. Vice-Chairperson Hurley then referred to Page 24, Section b), Line 6, and
stated that it should read:
"It is recommended, therefore, that the contractor monitor and maintain
groundwater levels. . ."
He then referred to Page 35, Section a), 3rd Paragraph, and stated that the return trips
for the 200 deportation trips must also be included in this analysis.
Mr. Cummins indicated that the Board members would receive a copy of the Response
To Comments before it is presented to CC; however, the EQCB would not review this
MND in its entirety again. He stated that Board members are welcome to be present at
the CC hearing if they wish to do so. He noted that the MND is tentatively scheduled to
appear on the May 10, 2004 CC Agenda. Vice-Chairperson Hurley asked if EQCB
members would receive a copy of responses to all comments. Mr. Cummins stated that
responses to only the Board comments would be provided to the EQCB.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - February 25,2004.
Recommendation: Approve Minutes subject to any corrections as needed.
Vice-Chairperson Hurley referred to Page 4, Line 20 and inquired whether the missing
word had been deciphered. Mr. Cummins stated that Mr. May had spoken very rapidly
and the term he used was not clearly audible on the recording. Vice-Chairperson
Hurley then inquired about the acronym used in Line 25. Mr. Cummins stated that he
was not certain as to the meaning. Vice-Chairperson Hurley asked for clarification as to
the location of the City dump described in the minutes. Mr. Cummins stated that he was
not certain as to the exact location, but this information could be identified on a map of
the Hellman property.
03-31-04 EQCB Minutes.doc
Page 6 of 8
'.
.~
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 Mmutes of March 31, 2004
MOTION by Voce; SECOND by O'Malley to approve the Meeting Minutes of February
25,2004 as presented.
MOTION CARRIED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
4-0-1
Barton, Hurley, O'Malley, and Voce
None
Unrath
VI Staff Concerns
Mr. Cummins stated that Staff recently received a Notice of Intent to Prepare an
Environmental Impact Report (EIR) from the City of Long Beach for construction of an
approximate 22,000 square foot commercial project, including a new Home Depot to be
located on Studebaker Road just north of Westminster Avenue. He said that his project
could potentially impact the City of Seal Beach, particularly with regard to traffic
impacts. He indicated that the comment period would end before the next scheduled
EQCB meeting, so Staff is recommending that the Board adjourn to a meeting on April
14, 2004, so that a formal comment letter can be prepared to forward to the City of Long
Beach. He stated that he would provide copies of the notice to the Board members at
the end of tonight's meeting.
Mr. Cummins then reported that at its next scheduled meeting the Board would probably
review the Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) for the Rossmoor Center demolition
and reconstruction, as well as the San Gabriel River Corridor Master Plan document.
VII Board Concerns
Member Voce reported that due to City Staff and financial constraints the Gum Grove
Nature Park group has decided to participate in clean ups in the park on a monthly
basis. He said that that the details would be worked out with Parks and Recreation and
the Public Works Maintenance Department.
VIII Adjournment
Vice-Chairperson Hurley adjourned the meeting to the adjourned meeting of April 14,
2004. The meeting was adjourned at 7 30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
~~
Carmen Alvarez, Executive Secr ry
Department of Development Services
--
03-31-04 EQCB Minutes.doc
Page 7 of 8
'.
.
.~
3
.
.
City of Seal Beach EnVIronmental Quality Control Board
Meeting Minutes of March 31,2004
The Board on April 28, 2004, approved the Minutes of the Environmental Quality
Control Board of Wednesday, March 31, 2004. 0p--:
03-31-04 EQCB Minutes.doc
Page 8 of 8