HomeMy WebLinkAboutEQCB Min 2005-09-28
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1CITY OF SEAL BEACH
Environmental Quality Control Board
Minutes of September 28, 2005
Chairperson Voce called the Environmental Quality Control Board (EQCB) meeting of
September 28, 2005 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: Chairperson Voce, Members Hurley, Neal, and Vineyard
Also
Present: Department of Development Services
Christy Teague, Senior Planner
Absent: Member Barton
Lee Whittenberg, Director
Ms. Teague noted that it would be appropriate to make a motion to excuse Member
Barton from tonight's meeting as she is on vacation.
MOTION by Hurley; SECOND by Neal to excuse Member Barton from the
Environmental Quality Control Board meeting of September 28, 2005.
MOTION CARRIED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
4-0-1
Voce, Hurley, Neal, and Vineyard
None
Barton
Chairperson Voce welcomed Member Neal as the new Board Member for District 2.
II Approval of Agenda
Member Hurley requested that Item No.4 be removed from the Consent Calendar for
separate action and recommended that it be made Item No. 12.
MOTION by Hurley; SECOND by Neal to approve the Agenda as amended.
MOTION CARRIED:
AYES:
NOES:
4-0-1
Voce, Hurley, Neal, and Vineyard
None
1 These Minutes were transcribed from an audiotape of the meeting.
09-28-05 EQCB Minutes
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City of Seal Beach Environmental Quality Control Board
Meeting Minutes of September 28, 2005
ABSENT:
Barton
III Oral Communications
1. Groundwater Replenishment System, Orange County Water District and Orange
County Sanitation District.
Ms. Teague introduced Lisa Sanchez of the Public Affairs Department for the Orange
County Water District (OCWD) who would provide a brief presentation on the Orange
County Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS). (Presentation is on file for
inspection in the Planning Department.)
Ms. Sanchez stated that the OCWD manages the groundwater basin that underlies
northern and central Orange County (OC). She stated that the GWRS is an innovative
project that the OCWD is working on with the Orange County Sanitation District
(OCSD). She explained that this involves taking highly treated sewer water from the
OCSD and purifying it to near distilled water quality. Ms. Sanchez indicated that she
would speak in terms of an acre-foot of water, which is equal to the amount of water
needed to cover an acre of land to a depth of one foot (approximately 326,000 gallons
of water). This amount would provide water for two small families for one year and
could cover an entire football field. She stated that north central OC has a huge
groundwater basin that is filled by water from the Santa Ana River and is also
augmented by imported water, and because this water is free, the cost of groundwater
is approximately $200/acre foot, but South OC, south of Irvine, is completely dependent
upon imported water at $500/acre foot. She spoke of a looming global water crisis and
reported that most of California's water is imported from the Colorado River in northern
California, and the states surrounding the river are looking to cutting off this surplus
water supply to California. She noted that OC needs to have a locally controlled supply
of water, and the GWRS will provide enough water for 144,000 families, and will protect
the groundwater basin from seawater intrusion. She explained that the water would be
injected into the groundwater basin creating a water wall so that ocean water cannot
penetrate and contaminate the fresh groundwater supply. She stated that the GWRS
will produce bottled quality water and will also help in providing water during draughts.
She then addressed the issue of water conservation citing several methods that can be
implemented by the population in Orange County, and added that water desalination is
now becoming a popular topic related to creating additional surplus water sources.
Ms. Sanchez then described how the GWRS uses various technologies for water
purification, which include micro filtration pretreatment, reverse osmosis, and ultraviolet
disinfection plus hydrogen peroxide. She explained that after purification the water is
sent to a percolation lake located in Anaheim where natural rainwater will percolate into
the ground into the lake and the other half of the water is injected into the seawater
intrusion barrier. She noted that many health and medical experts have endorsed this
project and find the purified wastewater to be of better than bottled water quality. The
OCWD is sharing the $487 million cost of the plant with the OCSD, with $92.5 million
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City of Seal Beach Environmental Quality Control Board
Meeting Minutes of September 28, 2005
coming from federal grants, and $3.7 million per year paid by the Metropolitan Water
District for operating costs. The facility is expected to produce 70 million gallons of
water per day.
Board Questions
Member Hurley asked if the project requires any legislative approval or oversight and
from where the funding is to come. Ms. Sanchez stated that the OCWD has already
applied for federal and state grants and has secured $92.5 million, and will continue to
apply for future grants. She noted that there is a long list of supporters both within state
and local governments, and the Department of Health Services has provided approval
to move forward with this project. Member Hurley asked whether funding would have to
be incorporated into the state budget in the future. Ms. Sanchez stated that currently
there is sufficient money to get the program going, but in order to continue to operate
the OCWD must continue to apply for state grants. Member Hurley asked what would
occur in 2007. Ms. Sanchez stated that currently the project is under construction at
OCWD headquarters in Fountain Valley and is scheduled to begin operation in 2007.
Chairperson Voce asked why there is a need to do the peroxide and ultraviolet
disinfection after the reverse osmosis, and if this is mandated by Health Services. Ms.
Sanchez stated that this is an extra step to ensure that any emerging contaminants are
removed. Chairperson Voce confirmed that 50 percent of the water is to be injected into
the seawater barrier, and the other 50 percent is to be injected into the lake in Anaheim.
Ms. Sanchez explained that a 50-mile pipeline would carry the water from Fountain
Valley to Anaheim where the water will percolate into the ground and go into the
groundwater basin. She said there are other lakes that are recharged basins, but the
ground in Anaheim is more porous making for better percolation of the water.
Chairperson Voce asked if this were to replace water that is being removed from the
underground. Ms. Sanchez stated that this adds to the groundwater basin, as the water
that OCWD is purifying is sewer water. Chairperson Voce asked if the water table
source in OC is dropping. Ms. Sanchez stated that the water table in OC is where it
should be, not completely full, but full enough to allow cities to pump their water. This
new system is for future water supplies, as the imported water from the Colorado River
will no longer be available.
Member Vineyard asked if there were any long-range plans for desalination plants. Ms.
Sanchez stated that it is being discussed, but the OCWD has not yet made any decision
regarding this option. She noted that currently desalination plants are proposed for
Carlsbad and the Riverside area.
Member Neal mentioned that Santa Barbara had abandoned desalination as it had
proved to be extremely expensive. She asked who is opposing the GWRS. Ms.
Sanchez stated that although this project has received a lot of support, there are some
residents who are hesitant to drink tap water. This is why OCWD is conducting these
presentations to educate people on this purification process.
09-28-05 EQCB Minutes
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City of Seal Beach Environmental Quality Control Board
Meeting Minutes of September 28, 2005
IV Consent Calendar
1. Receive And File - "City Of Seal Beach Comments Re: Draft Engineering
Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA), Non-Time Critical Removal Action -
Installation Restoration Site 44/45, Naval Weapons Station, Seal Beach,"
Dated June 29, 2005.
2. Receive And File - "City Of Seal Beach Comments Re: Draft 2005 First
Semiannual Post-Closure Inspection And Maintenance Report, Installation
Restoration program Site 7 (Station Landfill), Naval Weapons Station, Seal
Beach," Dated June 29,2005.
3. Receive And File Memorandum Re: "Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station -
Installation Restoration Program - Status Report Re: RAB Project Update,"
Dated August 17, 2005.
MOTION by Hurley; SECOND by Neal to approve the Consent Calendar as amended.
MOTION CARRIED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
4-0-1
Voce, Hurley, Neal, and Vineyard
None
Barton
V Scheduled Matters
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - June 29,2005.
Recommendation: Approve Minutes subject to any corrections determined
appropriate.
MOTION by Vineyard; SECOND by Hurley to approve the Meeting Minutes of June 29,
2005 as presented.
Member Hurley stated that he had identified typographical errors on Pages 4, Line 23;
Page 5, Line 26; Page 6, Line 8; Page 5, Line 26; and Page 8, Line 23; and proceeded
to identify those corrections. These were recorded by Ms. Teague who also noted a
correction to Page 2.
Member Vineyard withdrew his motion to approve the minutes as presented.
Member Neal abstained, as she was not present at the meeting of June 29,2005.
MOTION by Vineyard; SECOND by Hurley to approve the Meeting Minutes of June 29,
2005 as amended.
09-28-05 EQCB Minutes
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City of Seal Beach Environmental Quality Control Board
Meeting Minutes of September 28, 2005
MOTION CARRIED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
3-0-1-1
Voce, Hurley, and Vineyard
None
Barton
Neal
6. Receipt Of "Final Revised Groundwater Feasibility Study Report, Installation
Restoration Program Site 70, Naval Weapons Station, Seal Beach," and
Approval Of Comment Letter.
Recommendation: Authorize the Chairperson to sign the draft comment letter,
with any revisions determined appropriate. Authorize staff to forward to City
Council for information purposes. Receive and File Staff Report.
Member Hurley referred to Page 7, Paragraph 2, second sentence of the draft comment
letter and requested that the word "against" be changed to "compared to . .." He then
referred to Page 7, Paragraph 4, Line 3 to read "that the decision. . . "
Chairperson Voce noted a correction to his title on the signature page.
MOTION by Vineyard; SECOND by Hurley to authorize the Chairperson to sign the draft
comment letter as amended, and authorize staff to forward to City Council for information
purposes. Receive and File Staff Report.
MOTION CARRIED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
4-0-1
Voce, Hurley, Neal, and Vineyard
None
Barton
7. Receipt Of "Remedial Design Optimization Work Plan, Installation Restoration
Program Site 70, Naval Weapons Station, Seal Beach," and Approval Of
Comment Letter.
Recommendation: Authorize the Chairperson to sign the draft comment letter,
with any revisions determined appropriate. Authorize staff to forward to City
Council for information purposes. Receive and File Staff Report.
Member Hurley referred to the bottom of Page 5, and recommended that the text be
changed to read, "the City of Seal Beach fully understands the future decision making
process and requests . . . "
MOTION by Hurley; SECOND by Vineyard to authorize the Chairperson to sign the draft
comment letter as revised and authorize staff to forward to City Council for information
purposes. Receive and File Staff Report.
MOTION CARRIED: 4 - 0 - 1
09-28-05 EQCB Minutes
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City of Seal Beach Environmental Quality Control Board
Meeting Minutes of September 28, 2005
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Voce, Hurley, Neal, and Vineyard
None
Barton
8. Receipt of "Draft Work Plan - Groundwater Investigation, Installation Restoration
Program (IRP) Site 14, Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach," and Approval Of
Comment Letter.
Recommendation: Authorize the Chairperson to sign the draft comment letter,
with any additional comments determined appropriate. Authorize staff to forward
to City Council for information purposes. Receive and File Staff Report.
Member Hurley referred to Page 6, paragraph 1, and noted a typographical error. He
then referred to Page 6, paragraph 4, and indicated that he was not able to see the
Table referenced in this paragraph. Ms. Teague stated that Mr. Whittenberg had noted
some of the biological hazards including bee stings, but that text on the West Nile Virus
had been "glaringly" omitted, and he would ensure that this would be included in the
final draft of the letter.
MOTION by Neal; SECOND by Hurley to authorize the Chairperson to sign the draft
comment letter as revised and authorize staff to forward to City Council for information
purposes. Receive and File Staff Report.
MOTION CARRIED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
4-0-1
Voce, Hurley, Neal, and Vineyard
None
Barton
9. Consideration Of Proposed Policy Statement - Evaluation Of Short-Term
Construction Noise Impacts In Environmental Review Documents
Recommendation: After discussion among Board, review draft policy statement
and provide direction to Staff as determined appropriate.
Ms. Teague stated that the matter of short-term construction noise has frequently come
up at the Environmental Quality Control Board (EQCB) meetings, and is a matter of
interest to residents. She noted that in the past it has been the City's policy to consider
noise impacts from construction exempt from the Noise Ordinance, this issue has not
been addressed in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) documents and has
been classified as a non-significant impact. She indicated that Staff has proposed that
the EQCB consider recommending to City Council that the City adopt a policy creating
clear mitigation measures for construction noise that can be incorporated into conditions
of approval for all environmental documents.
Member Hurley suggested that discussion of this item be continued to the next
scheduled meeting, as he has not had time to fully review this document.
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City of Seal Beach Environmental Quality Control Board
Meeting Minutes of September 28, 2005
Ms. Teague then noted that in the future the recommendations in this proposed City
Council policy statement would be forwarded to any consultant(s) completing Mitigated
Negative Declaration (MND) documents for the City of Seal Beach. She indicated that
Board members should contact Mr. Whittenberg in the Department of Development
Services should they have any questions or comments to add to this report.
Chairperson Voce thanked Staff for drafting this document and for making
recommendations for introducing this policy.
MOTION by Hurley; SECOND by Vineyard to continue Item 9 to the next regularly
scheduled Environmental Quality Control Board meeting.
MOTION CARRIED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
4-0-1
Voce, Hurley, Neal, and Vineyard
None
Barton
10. Receipt Of Public Comments And Committee Review Of Initial Study/Mitigated
Negative Declaration 05-4 - Pacific Gateway Plaza (Panattoni Development)
Recommendation: EQCB to elicit public comments and EQCB Board members
to provide comments regarding Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration 05-4
to assist the Planning Commission and City Council in determining that the
IS/MND will reduce identified environmental effects to less than significant.
Receive and File Staff Report.
Chairperson Voce noted that Member Barton had conveyed her concern regarding the
lack of trees in the plans for this project.
Member Hurley stated that due to circumstances beyond his control he was not
prepared to provide a comprehensive statement of his comments. He indicated he
would provide his written comments to Staff between now and October 11, 2005. He
referred to Section 5.11 Noise and requested responses to the following questions:
1. Will a public hearing on this proposed noise policy statement be conducted before
City Council?
Response: Is not yet on a future City Council agenda, pending the
recommendation from the EQCB, but there will be a future public
hearing held on this item.
2. P.5.11-3
Do not understand first line of Table 5.11-3 and paragraph referring
to Section 7.15.015(c) following.
Response:
Address with Director of Development Services.
09-28-05 EQCB Minutes
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City of Seal Beach Environmental Quality Control Board
Meeting Minutes of September 28, 2005
3. P.5.11-6
3rd Paragraph, 4th line from the end of paragraph. Does not
understand use of the words "anomalous excess attenuation." This
document is supposed to be understood by the general public.
This is a quote in reference to a technical document. This can be
addressed in the response to comments.
1 st Paragraph, 3rd line, cannot locate the reference to 66.1 dBA.
Need response by October th or 8th.
Response:
4. P.5.11-7
Response:
Will request reference document from consultant and provide to
Member Hurley.
5. P.5.11-10
Paragraph (b), last sentence, what if pile driving does become
necessary, how does the applicant propose to mitigate this?
Chairperson Voce confirmed that the public hearing for the MND is to be heard by the
Planning Commission at a future meeting. Ms. Teague confirmed that the Planning
Commission will receive public comments on this document at its meeting of
Wednesday, October 5, 2005. She noted that the Archaeological Advisory Committee
would also receive public comments on this document at its meeting on Monday,
October 3, 2005, at 5:30 p.m. Chairperson Voce stated that a vote on this item is not
required, and the Board could simply provide comments to Staff. He indicated that he
would provide his written comments prior to the public hearing before City Council.
VI Staff Concerns
11. Receipt of Memo From Department of Public Works Re: Response To Question
Regarding Seal Beach Blvd. and PCH Signals.
Ms. Teague indicated that Board Members should contact the Director of Public Works,
Mark Vukojevic, to schedule a time to meet should they have questions or comments on
this item.
4. Receive and File Memorandum Re: Overview Of Upcoming Projects For
Review By EQCB.
Member Hurley asked why the Surfside Colony Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) is
not listed as "withdrawn" or "suspended" under the section on "City Development
Projects." Ms. Teague reported that Surfside has officially requested that their application
be withdrawn, as a result of plans by neighbors adjacent to the project property to file a
complaint regarding commercial equipment being stored on a residential lot.
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City of Seal Beach Environmental Quality Control Board
Meeting Minutes of September 28, 2005
VII Board Concerns
Chairperson Voce indicated that he would not be present at the scheduled meeting for
October 19, 2005, as he would be out of town. Member Hurley confirmed that the
Planning Commission (PC) would be meeting on October 19, 2005, when the EQCB
was also tentatively scheduled to meet for discussion of the Panattoni project. He noted
that the EQCB meeting date could be changed to Wednesday, October 12, 2005. Ms.
Teague stated that the EQCB meeting can be held on the 19th if the Board believes it
can complete it's discussion by 7:30 p.m., when the PC meeting is scheduled to begin.
Member Hurley stated that unless Board action is needed on some item, an option
would be to have no meeting in October. He said he would favor meeting on October
19th prior to the PC meeting. Ms. Teague noted that the MND for the Regency Center
project might also be included for review at that meeting. Member Hurley asked if the
MND for the Regency Center could be scheduled for review in November. Ms. Teague
stated that the public review period for this document would probably close in early
November and the EQCB would not meet until November 30th. Member Hurley asked if
the Board could meet on October 26th. Ms. Teague suggested meeting on Wednesday,
November 2nd, if the Board were in agreement with this. The Board agreed that a
November 2nd meeting was acceptable.
VIII Adjournment
Chairperson Voce adjourned the meeting at 7:50 p.m. to the adjourned meeting of
Wednesday, November 2, 2005.
Respectfully Submitted,
~~~y
Carmen Alvarez, Executive Secretary
Department of Development Services
The Board on November 2, 2005, approved the M~ of the Environmental Quality
Control Board of Wednesday, September 28, 2005. .
09-28-05 EQCB Minutes
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