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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAAC Min 1995-08-09 CITY OF SEAL BEACH '-'- ARCHAEOLOGICAL ADVISORY COMMITfEE MEETING MINUfES AUGUST 9, 1995 I. CALL TO ORDER Vice-Chairman Fitzpatrick called the meeting to order at 5:03 P.M. ll. ROLL CALL Present: Members Benjamin, Fitzpatrick, Frietze, Goldberg, Hahn, Johnston (5:15 PM), Price, Unatin (5:10 PM), Willey, and Yearn Absent: None Staff Present: Lee Whittenberg, Development Services Director '-" Mr. Whittenberg introduced newly appointed Member Willey to the Committee, with the members of the Committee welcoming Member Willey. ill. PRESENTATION TO PAST MEMBER BELARDES Vice-Chairman Fitzpatrick indicated the Committee has a resolution for adoption and presentation to Member Belardes, but since Member Belardes has not arrived, the matt,pr will be considered later during the meeting. 1. RESOLUTION NUMBER 95-3, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH ARCHA~OLOGICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOGNIZING, HONORING AND COMMENDING DAVID BELARDES FOR HIS I DEDICATED SER:VICE TO THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH AS A MEMBER OF THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Recommendation: Adopt Resolution 95-3 IV. SELECTION OF CHAIRMAN and VICE-CHAIRMAN 2. Recommendation: Nominate and Select Chairman and Vice-Chairman. Nominations do not need to be seconded. '--" D:I WP51IARCHCOMM\08-09-95.MIN\L W\08-1()"95 ~ Archaeological Advisory Committee Minutes August 9, 1995 Vice-Chairman Fitzpatrick asked for nominations for Chairman of the Archaeological Advisory Committee. Member Unatin arrived. MOTION by Benjamin to nominate Member Frietze for Chairperson of the Archaeological Advisory Committee. Their being no other nominations, nominations were closed. MOTION CARRIED 9-0-1 AYES: Members Benjamin, Fitzpatrick, Frietze, Goldberg, Hahn, Price, Unatin, Willey, and Yeam NOES: None ABSENT: Johnston MOTION by Chairperson Frietze to nominate Member Fitzpatrick for Vice-Chairman of the Archaeological Advisory Committee. Their being no other nominations, nominations were closed. "-" MOTION CARRIED 9-0-1 AYES: Members Benjamin, Fitzpatrick, Goldberg, Hahn, Price, Unatin, Willey, Yearn and Chairperson Frietze NOES: None ABSENT: Johnston V. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chairperson Frietze said this was the time for any member of the Committee, staff or public to rearrange the order of the agenda, or request items to be removed from the Consent Calendar for separate discussion. MOTION by Goldberg; SECOND by Yeam to approve the Agenda as presented. MOTION CARRIED 9-0-1 ~ D: IWPS 1 \ARCHCOMM\08-09-95.MIN\LW\08-1 0-95 2 '-' Archaeological Advisory Committee Minutes August 9, 1995 AYES: Members Benjamin, Fitzpatrick, Goldberg, Hahn, Price, Unatin, Willey, Yearn and Chairperson Frietze NOES: None ABSENT: Johnston VI. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Chairperson Frietze asked for oral communications from the audience. There were none. VIT. CONSENT CALENDAR No Items VID. SCHEDULED MA TIERS 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: JUNE 7, 1995 Recommendation: Approve Minutes with any corrections appropriate. '-' Chairperson Frietze asked if there were any corrections to the Minutes of June 7, 1995. There were no corrections proposed by the Committee. MOTION by Fitzpatrick; SECOND by Benjamin to approve the Archaeological Advisory Committee minutes of June 7, 1995 as presented. MOTION CARRIED: 7-0-1-2 A YES: Members Benjamin, Fitzpatrick, Goldberg, Price, Unatin, Yeam and Chairperson Frietze. NOES: None ABSENT: Johnston ABSTAIN: Hahn and Willey 4. REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION OF "Drqft - Guidelines for the Nomination of properties to the California Register of Historical Resources", prepared by Office of Historic Preservation, dated May 3, 1995 ~ D:IWP51 \ARCHCOMM\08-09-95 .MIN\L W\08-1 0-95 3 '-" Archaeological Advisory Committee Minutes August 9, 1995 Recommendation: Review and consider subject report. Instruct Chairman to sign proposed response letter, with modifications if deemed appropriate. Chairperson Frietze asked if this matter could be continued so the new members of the Committee could become more familiar with the document. Secretary Whittenberg indicated the State is holding a public hearing ~n this matter on August 11, and will receive written comments or a FAX until August 10. If the Committee wishes to provide any comments, those would need to be finalized tonight. Member Goldberg asked if this document was an update of an earlier document provided to the Committee in March. Secretary Whittenberg indicated this is a new document, which was just received by the City on July 24, 1995. He further reviewed the general provisions of the document, indicating it would not have any direct impacts on the procedures or processes which the Committee utilizes, or on the provisions of the General Plan. Member Hahn asked if the included CEQA amendments were approved? Secretary Whittenberg indicated the final CEQA amendments have not been printed, and that staff could report back on this matter at a later date. Member Johnston arrived, was introduced to the Committee, and the Committee members introduced themselves. '-" Member Benjamin asked for a clarification of the difference between "historical" and "archaeological" resources. Secretary Whittenberg indicated historical resources are generally defined as artifacts dated after the advent of European civilization into an area, in this area, generally from Cabrillo landing in Southern California. Archaeological resources are those which pre-date the coming of Cabrillo. In response to a question from Chairperson Frietze, any additional comments would need to be received by the State tomorrow. MOTION by Yeam; SECOND by Price to instruct Chairperson Frietze to sign the proposed response letter as prepared by Staff. MOTION CARRIED: 7-0-0-3 AYES: Members Benjamin, Fitzpatrick, Frietze, Goldberg, Hahn, Johnston, Price, Unatin, Willey, Yearn and Chairperson Frietze NOES: None '-" D:IWP51 \ARCHCOMM\08-09-95.MIN\LW\08-1 ()'95 4 ~ Archaeological Advisory Committee Minutes August 9, 1995 ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: Hahn, Johnston, Willey 5. HELLMAN RANCH ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES - CONSIDERATION OF CITY ARCHAEOLOGIST REVIEW Recommendation: Review request from Hellman Properties and instruct staff to prepare a preliminary scope of work, time schedule and budget to identify additional actions to complete an archaeological investigation of the Hellman Ranch property. ~ Secretary Whittenberg reviewed the request as received from Hellman Properties, indicating there is much documentation available from previous studies and environmental impact reports, dating back to the 1950's, and unfinished work which was conducted in approximately 1991. Hellman Properties are desirous of fully evaluating and determining the property-related constraints on their property due to archaeological sites, wetlands, and earthquake fault zones. This proposed evaluation would initiate the process for probably the most difficult issue to resolve. Until Hellman Properties understand all the appropriate site constraints, they will not be developing any formal land use plan for the property. He further indicated the process. would involve the execution of a cost reimbursement agreement between the City and Hellman Properties for all staff and consultant costs prior to any work being initiated. Upon completion of the reimbursement agreement, a City-retained archaeologist would be selected to review all existing documentation, attempt to verify excavation and reporting work conducted by LSA on behalf of Mola Development and evaluate the usefulness of that work, prepare a scope of work, time schedule and budget estimate. Member Hahn asked if the Hellman property is listed as "undeveloped" by the City? Secretary Whittenberg indicated the City does not maintain a listing of "undeveloped" properties. The Archaeological Element discusses undeveloped properties, but there is no city-prepared list. In addition, portions of the property are developed with oil wells and related production facilities, and would not be considered undeveloped. . Other portions of the site are vacant and would be considered undeveloped, and that is why Hellman Properties are requesting that a City-retained archaeological consultant conduct the proposed evaluations. Member Hahn asked if a report was ever received by the City from LSA, or if any reports from LSA were provided to the State? Secretary Whittenberg indicated the City has not received any reports from LSA. Member Hahn further indicated she had talked with LSA, they were not paid by Mola and did not finish '-' D:\WP51IARCHCOMM\08-09-95.MIN\LW\08-10-95 5 Archaeological Advisory Committee Minutes August 9, 1995 '-' the work, there is nothing on file, including a site where burials were found. Member Hahn asked if the scope of work, etc. would be reviewed by the City Council. Secretary Whittenberg indicated it would be approved after a review and recommendation of this Committee, and further reviewed the cost reimbursement' process utilized by the City. If the costs of archaeological investigations are "too high", Hellman Properties could decide to leave the property as is, and not proceed with any archaeological investigations. The proposed' process is not part of an environmental impact report, but is a free- standing archaeological investigation of vacant property. Member,' Benjamin asked if any plans have been formulated by Hellman Properties? Secretary Whittenberg again indicated that no plans have been formulated, the purpose of this analysis is to determine the status of archaeological resources on the' Hellman property and the impact of those resources on future development proposals for the site. , , ~ Member Hahn indicated that LSA told her they sent all of the material and reports back to Mola, since they were not paid, and that the material was in storage in, Newport Beach. She asked if the Committee could request that material be sent to the City? Secretary Whittenberg indicated that is really between Hellman Properties and Mola Development, as the material is owned by one of those entities, not the City. In addition, the City would have no place to store the material. Member Goldberg asked if the City could request of Mola the status .of that material, and encourage the cooperation of Mola in sharing that stored material with the City-selected archaeologist? Secretary Whittenberg indicted a letter could be drafted, sent to the Committee members for concurrence, and if concurrence is received, sent to Mola Development. If concurrence among the members of the Committee is not received, a special meeting of the Committee could be called to discuss and approve the language of the proposed letter. MOTION by Goldberg; SECOND by Hahn to instruct staff to prepare a draft request letter to Mola Development Corporation regarding cooperation with City- selected archaeological consultant to evaluate materials excavated by LSA, provide to Committee members by mail for review and comments, if agreement is given by Committee, authorize Secretary Whittenberg to send on behalf of the Committee. If agreement is not received, convene special meeting to review and authorize letter for Chairperson to sign. In addition, concur with request by Hellman Properties regarding request for City-selected archaeologist to prepare a preliminary scope of work, time schedule and budget to identify additional ~ D:IWP51 \ARCHCOMM\08-09-95 ,MIN\LW\08-1 ~95 6 '-' Archaeological Advisory Committee Minutes August 9, 1995 actions to complete an archaeological investigation of the HeUman Ranch property . MOTION CARRIED: 10-0-0 AYES: Members Benjamin, Fitzpatrick, Goldberg, Hahn, Johnston, Price, Unatin, Willey, Yearn and Chairperson Frietze NOES: None ABSENT: None IX. COMMITIEE CONCERNS Member Fitzpatrick inquired as to the status of the Bixby Project. Secretary Whittenberg indicated the project is scheduled for public hearings before the City Council on September 11, 1995. The Planning Commission has completed its hearings and recommended denial of the project. Member Fitzpatrick asked when the archaeological work would be completed? Secretary Whittenberg indicated that if no project is approved, no archaeological work will be undertaken. ........ Member Price requested the Committee consider its meeting schedule, indicating that every other month is not often enough. Secretary Whittenberg indicated the current meeting schedule is established by Committee resolution, and would need to be revised by adoption of a new resolution. Member Goldberg asked about the status of the Department of Water and Power property, with Secretary Whittenberg indicating the City is currently reviewing the specific plan provisions for that property, with a reduction in intensity of development being the main focus of the revision. Member Hahn thanked the Committee for its condolences after the death of her father. Chairperson Frietze- indicated that David Belardes had not arrived. Secretary Whittenberg indicated that Member Belardes was not re-appointed to the Committee, and that the Committee, staff, and the City Council have prepared a resolution and plaque for presentation to Member Belardes in appreciation for his service to the Committee and for serving" as Chairman of the Committee. '--' D: IWPS 1 \ARCHCOMM\08-09-95 .MIN\LW\08-10-95 7 '-" '-' '-" X. XI. Archaeological Advisory Committee Minutes August 9, 1995 MOTION by Goldberg; SECOND by Fitzpatrick to adopt Resolution 95-3, A Resolution of the City of Seal Beach Archaeological Advisory Committee Recognizing, Honoring and Commending David Belardes for his Dedicated Service to the City of Seal Beach as a Member of the Archaeological Advisory Committee. MOTION CARRIED 10-0-0 AYES: Members Benjamin, Fitzpatrick, Goldberg, Hahn, Johnston, Price, Unatin, Willey, Yearn and Chairperson Frietze NOES: None ABSENT: None Jean Frietze thanked the Committee on behalf of David Belardes, indicating he had talked to her and that he might not be able to attend the meeting. STAFF CONCERNS None ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Price; SECOND by Yeam to adjourn the meeting at 5:51 p.m. to Wednesday, October 18, 1995, 5:00 p.m. at the City Hall Council Chambers. MOTION CARRIED: 10-0-0 AYES: Members Benjamin, Fitzpatrick, Goldberg, Hahn, Johnston, Price, Unatin, Willey, Yearn and Chairperson Frietze. NOES: None ABSENT: None ice-Chairperson, Archaeological A D:IWP51 \ARCHCOMM\08-09-95.MIN\LW\08-10-95 8 '-" Archaeological Advisory Committee Minutes August 9, 1995 -k(d~ j/,. ittenberg, Secretary l.//Archaeological Advisory Committee . Note: These Minutes are tentative until approved by the Archaeological Advisory Committee. The Archaeological Advisory Committee Minutes of August 9, 1995 were approved on o C/O SL3::::R.. /' c9 ,1995. '-' \.- D:\WPSlIARCHCOMM\08-09-95.MIN\LW\08-10-95 9