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Home My WebLink AboutAAC Min 1995-10-18 '-" '-" ~ CITY OF SEAL BEACH ARCHAEOLOGICAL ADVISORY COMMfITEE MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 18, 1995 I. CALL TO ORDER Vice-Chairman Fitzpatrick called the meeting to order at 5: 10 P.M. n. ROLL CALL Present: Members Benjamin, Fitzpatrick, Goldberg, Price, Unatin and Willey Absent: Members Frietze, Hahn, Johnston and Yearn Staff Present: Lee Whittenberg, Development Services Director Mr. Whittenberg indicated that Members Frietze, Hahn, Johnston, and Yearn have previously contacted the City and indicated they would not be present due to other commitments. m. APPROV AL OF AGENDA Vice-Chairperson Fitzpatrick 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 Price to approve the Agenda as presented. MOTION CARRIED 6-0-4 AYES: Members Benjamin, Goldberg, Price, Unatin, Willey, and Vice- Chairperson Fitzpatrick NOES: None ABSENT: Hahn, Johnston, Yearn and Chairperson Frietze D:\WPSl \ARCHCOMM\10-18-9S.MIN\LW\10-30-9S '-' Archaeological Advisory Committee Minutes October 18, 1995 IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Vice-Chairperson Fitzpatrick asked for oral communications from the audience. There were none. V. CONSENT CALENDAR 1. RECEIVE AND FILE STAFF REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL RE: "BOLSA CHICA RESTORA TION/PORT MITIGATION MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT", dated August 14, 1995. Recommendation: Receive and File Staff Report. 2. RECEIVE AND FILE STATUS REPORT - HELLMAN PROPERTY ARCHAEOLOGICAL STUDY Recommendation: Receive and File Staff Report. 3. RECEIVE AND FILE "ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE SURVEY RECORDS and ARCHAEOLOGICAL REPORTS", "FEDERAL & STATE RESOURCE DOCUMENTS", and "ARCHAEOLOGICAL, PALEONTOLOGICAL and HISTORICAL RESOURCE DOCUMENTS" ON FILE AT THE DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, Revised October 11, 1995 '-" Recommendation: Receive and File Staff Report. MOTION by Willey; SECOND by Price to approve the Consent Calendar as presented. MOTION CARRIED: 6-0-4 AYES: Members Benjamin, Goldberg, Price, Unatin, Willey, and Vice- Chairperson Fitzpatrick NOES: None ABSENT: Hahn, Johnston, Yearn and Chairperson Frietze '-' D: \WPS 1 \ARCHCOMM\10-18-9S .MIN\LW\10-30-9S 2 Archaeological Advisory Committee Minutes '-" October 18, 1995 VI. SCHEDULED MA TIERS 4. APPROV AL OF MINUTES: August 9, 1995 Recommendation: Approve Minutes with any corrections appropriate. Vice-Chairperson Fitzpatrick asked if there were any corrections to the Minutes of August 9, 1995. Member Goldberg indicated the following amendments to the October 18 Minutes would correct the discussion relative to the HeUman Properties Archaeological review: 1) page 6, line 1, revise to read as follows: "the work, there is nothing on file with the City, but Mola has a report, including a site where burials were found. " 2) page 6, second paragraph, 7th and 11th lines, replace "Mola" with "Hellman Properties" 3) page 6, third paragraph, line 2, replace "Mola Development Corporation" with "Hellman Properties". ~ MOTION by Benjamin; SECOND by Willey to approve the Archaeological Advisory Committee minutes of August 9, 1995 as amended. MOTION CARRIED: 6-0-4 AYES: Members Benjamin, Goldberg, Price, Unatin, Willey, and Vice- Chairperson Fitzpatrick NOES: None ABSENT: Hahn, Johnston, Yearn and Chairperson Frietze 5. REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION OF NAVAL WEAPONS STATION SUBMISSION PACKAGE to SHPO re: "Archaeological Resource Protection Plan for the Background Study Sampling Areas at Naval Weapons Station, Seal Beach, Orange County, California", prepared by Chambers Group, Inc., dated August, 1995 ~ D:\WPSl \ARCHCOMM\10-18-9S .MIN\LW\10-30-9S 3 '-" Archaeological Advisory Committee Minutes October 18, 1995 Recommendation: Review and consider subject report. Instruct Vice- Chairperson to sign proposed response letter, with modifications if deemed appropriate. Vice-Chairperson Fitzpatrick asked for any comments regarding the proposed response letter as prepared by Staff relative to the subject archaeological resource protection plan. Secretary Whittenberg indicated this item was provided as part of the September 20 Agenda Packet and was not copied as part of this agenda packet. The Committee members should refer to item 3 of the September 20 agenda packet. Secretary Whittenberg reviewed the staff report and proposed response letter, indicating that the comment letter as prepared may be after the fact due to the length of time which has elapsed since initial receipt of this matter in August 1995. The Committee further reviewed the general provisions of the document and the proposed response letter, highlighting those areas set forth in the response letter. '-' Member Goldberg asked if this report was an overlap with the various clean-up activities ongoing on the Weapons Station? Secretary Whittenberg indicated that is correct, the purpose of the document is to set forth the procedures by which potential archaeological resources would be handled during the testing process for each of the identified sites of concern relative to soil contamination from past practices. Vice-Chairperson Fitzpatrick indicated the proposed testing processes are not complicated. Member Goldberg indicated the letter should be forwarded to SHPO as recommended by staff, even if after the fact, so that the State is aware that the Committee has reviewed the document and generally concurs with the proposed process. Secretary Whittenberg reviewed the removal processes, and the potential impacts to the soil and groundwater. Member Benjamin asked how the City is guaranteed the clean-up activities are actually undertaken? Secretary Whittenberg indicated there are approximately 7 different Federal and State agencies which review and approve the clean-up activities. MOTION by Goldberg; SECOND by Benjamin to instruct Vice-Chairperson Fitzpatrick to sign the proposed response letter as prepared by Staff. Member Goldberg asked if the base eventually closes, will the City be responsible for additional clean-up activities'? Secretary Whittenberg indicated the sites are '-' D:\WPSl \ARCHCOMM\10-18-9S.MIN\LW\10-30-9S 4 ~ Archaeological Advisory Committee Minutes October 18, 1995 being cleaned up to a residential standard, which is the strictest standard available. MOTION CARRIED: 6-0-4 A YES: Members Benjamin, Goldberg, Price, Unatin, Willey, and Vice- Chairperson Fitzpatrick NOES: None ABSENT: Hahn, Johnston, Yearn and Chairperson Frietze 6. REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION OF NAVAL WEAPONS STATION SUBMISSION PACKAGE to SHPO re: "Archaeological Resources Protection Plan for the Site Inspection Work Plan at the Research, Testing, and Evaluation Area, Naval Weapons Station, Seal Beach, Orange County, California", prepared by Bechtel National, Inc., Inc., dated July, 1995 '-' Recommendation: Review and consider subject report. Instruct Vice- Chairperson to sign proposed response letter, with modifications if deemed appropriate. Secretary Whittenberg indicated this item was provided as part of the September 20 Agenda Packet and was not copied as part of this agenda packet. The Committee members should refer to item 4 of the September 20 agenda packet. Secretary Whittenberg reviewed the staff report and proposed response letter, indicating that the comment letter as prepared may be after the fact due to the length of time which has elapsed since initial receipt of this matter in August 1995. The Committee further reviewed the general provisions of the document and the proposed response letter, highlighting those areas set forth in the response letter. In response to a concern from Member Benjamin, Secretary Whittenberg indicated the analysis conducted at the subject area to this time has not resulted in the detection of any radioactive materials, most of the chemicals identified were cleaning solvents used in the Saturn V rocket booster program. The Committee discussed the change in methods used in the 1960-1970 time period as compared to current standards. Secretary Whittenberg highlighted the employee education program and the "Cultural Awareness Handbook" proposed, indicating these actions are seen as very positive. '-' D: \WPS 1 \ARCHCOMM\l0-1 8-9S.MIN\LW\10-30-9S 5 '-' Archaeological Advisory Committee Minutes October 18, 1995 MOTION by Goldberg; SECOND by Benjamin to instruct Vice-Chairperson Fitzpatrick to sign the proposed response letter as prepared by Staff. MOTION CARRIED: 6-0-4 A YES: Members Benjamin, Goldberg, Price, Unatin, Willey, and Vice- Chairperson Fitzpatrick NOES: None ABSENT: Hahn, Johnston, Yearn and Chairperson Frietze Vll. COMMITTEE CONCERNS '~ Member Goldberg inquired as to the status of the Bixby Project. Secretary Whittenberg indicated the project is scheduled for public hearings before the City Council on November 13, 1995, and that additional public hearings are anticipated for November 27 and potentially on December 11. The Planning Commission has completed its hearings and recommended denial of the project. In addition, a recommendation from the Airport Land Use Commission is still forthcoming. Member Goldberg also asked for an update on the HeUman property. Secretary Whittenberg indicated an update was provided as item 2 of this agenda, and that additional material will be provided to the Committee at the December 6 meeting. Member Willey indicated that unless good records of previous excavation work was maintained, it may be impossible to determine the significance of any identified cultural resources. Secretary Whittenberg indicated there are contractual relationships between Hellman Properties and Mola Development Corporation regarding the utilization of information compiled by Mola, and there may be certain legal ramifications of those agreements relative to the retention and sharing of excavated cultural resources. VID. STAFF CONCERNS Secretary Whittenberg wished the Committee a Happy Halloween and a joyful Thanksgiving, since the Committee will not be meeting until December 6, 1995. '-" D: \WPS 1 \ARCHCOMM\10-18-9S .MIN\LW\l 0-30-9S 6 \..- ~ ~ Archaeological Advisory Committee Minutes October 18, 1995 IX. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Fitzpatrick; SECOND by Price to adjourn the meeting at 5:50 p.m. to Wednesday, December 6, 1995,5:00 p.m. at the City Hall Council Chambers. MOTION CARRIED: 6-0-4 AYES: Members Benjamin, Goldberg, Price, Unatin, Willey, and Vice- Chairperson Fitzpatrick NOES: None ABSENT: Hahn, Johnston, Yearn and Chairperson Frietze Whittenberg, Secretary Archaeological Advisory Commit Note: These Minutes are tentative until approved by the Archaeological Advisory Committee. The Archaeological Advisory Committee Minutes of October 18, 1995 were approved on o U./!in? 1B I:::fC.- e:, , 1995. D:\WPSl \ARCHCOMM\10-18-9S.MIN\LW\10-30-9S 7