Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutAAC Min 2004-03-17 . . . CITY OF SEAL BEACH Archaeological Advisory Committee Special Meeting Minutes of March 17, 2004 I. Call to Order The Special Meeting of the Archaeological Advisory Committee (AAC) was called to order at 5:55 p.m. on Wednesday, March 17, 2004. The meeting was held in the City Hall Council Chambers.! II. Roll Call Present: Absent: Chairperson Vesely, Members Coles, and Dixon Fitzpatrick and Hoy Also Present: Department of Development Services Lee Whittenberg, Director Mr. Whittenberg stated that he had not heard from Member Hoy, and Member Fitzpatrick had notified Staff that he has a schedule conflict on Wednesday evenings. He stated that at the end of tonight's meeting he would like to agree on a common day on which all members are available to attend the Archaeological Advisory Committee (AAC) meetings. III. Approval of Agenda So ordered by Chairperson Vesely. IV. Oral Communications None. V. Consent Calendar 1. RECEIVE AND FILE Memorandum dated June 12, 2003 re: Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station - Installation Restoration Program - Status Report re: RAB Project Update 1 These Minutes were transcribed from audiotape of the meeting. Page 1 of8 . . . Clty of Seal Beach Archaeologlcal AdvlSOry Committee Speczal Meetzng Mznutes of March 17, 2004 2. RECEIVE AND FILE Staff Report dated July 9,2003 re: Receipt Of "Memorandum of Agreement Between the Department of the Navy and the Californza Historic Preservation Officer Regarding Installation Restoration Site 73 - Soil Removal ProJect, Naval Weapons Statzon, Seal Beach, Orange County, California" and "Final Archaeological Data Recovery Plan for a Portion of Prehistonc Site Ca-Ora-322/1,l18 to Mztigate Impacts of Soil Removal Remediatzon" - Attachment C Of "Final Project Work Plan, Non-Time Critical Action, Installation Restoration Program Site 73 (Water Tower Area), Naval Weapons Station, Seal Beach", Dated January 21,2003 3. RECEIVE AND FILE Letter from City Council to California Coastal Commission re: "Condition Compliance - Permit Number 5-97-367, as Amended", dated July 29,2003 4. RECEIVE AND FILE "Draft Archaeological Data Recovery Report for a Portion of Prehistoric Archaeological Site CA-ORA-322/1118 to Mitigate Impacts of Soil Remediation", Appendix C of ''Non-Time-Critical Removal Action - Installation Restoration Program Site 73 (Former Water Tower Area), Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, Seal Beach, California", prepared by Foster Wheeler Environmental Corporation, dated August 15, 2003 5. RECEIVE AND FILE Memorandum dated September 8, 2003 re: Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station - Installation Restoration Program - Web Page Information 6. RECEIVE AND FILE Memorandum dated September 8, 2003 re: "Simple Parliamentary Procedures for the 21 st Century" - Western City Magazine 7. RECEIVE AND FILE Memorandum dated October 21, 2003 re: Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station - Installation Restoration Program - Status Report re: RAB Project Update 8. RECEIVE AND FILE Memorandum dated November 13,2003 re: Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station - Installation Restoration Program - Status Report re: RAB Project Update 9. RECENE AND FILE Memorandum dated December 16, 2003 re: Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station - Installation Restoration Program - Status Report re: RAB Project Update 10. RECEIVE AND FILE Memorandum dated February 26,2004 re: Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station - Installation Restoration Program - Status Report re: RAB Project Update 11. RECEIVE AND FILE Memorandum dated March 17, 2004 re: Provision of City Council Staff Report re: "Update - Hellman Ranch Education Center" Chairperson Vesely thanked Mr. Whittenberg for the inclusion of Item No.6. Page 2 of8 . . . Clty of Seal Beach Archaeologlcal AdvlSOry Commlttee Speczal Meetzng Mznutes of March 17, 2004 MOTION by Coles; SECOND by Dixon to approve the Consent Calendar as presented. MOTION CARRIED: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: VI. Scheduled Matters 3-0-2 Vesely, Coles, Dixon None Fitzpatrick and Boy 12. APROV AL OF MINUTES OF APRIL 23, 2003 Recommendation: Approve Minutes with any corrections determined appropriate. MOTION by Dixon; SECOND by Coles to Approve Minutes of April 23, 2003 as presented. MOTION CARRIED: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: 3-0-2 Vesely, Coles, Dixon None Fitzpatrick and Boy 13. APROVALOFMINUTES OF May21, 2003 Recommendation: Approve Minutes with any corrections determined appropriate. Mr. Whittenberg noted one correction to the second to the last paragraph on Page 5. MOTION by Vesely; SECOND by Coles to Approve Minutes of May 21,2003 as amended. MOTION CARRIED: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: 3-0-2 Vesely, Coles, Dixon None Fitzpatrick and Boy 14. RECEIPT OF LETTER REPORT RE: "QWEST COMMUNICATIONS PROJECT #820011", PREPARED BY EDAW, DATED FEBRUARY 9, 2004 Recommendation: Receive and File letter report. Approve staff-prepared file "Memorandum." Mr. Whittenberg stated that this is a fiber optic project that this communication company is installing throughout the City. He said that the line came from Cypress through Los Alamitos and down to the Boeing Integrated Defense Systems (BIDS). He noted that because there are some sensitivities along Seal Beach Boulevard near the 1-405 Freeway area, monitors were required for the excavations along that route and this letter reports on that process. Chairperson Page 3 of 8 . . . Clty of Seal Beach Archaeologlcal AdvlSOry Commlttee Speczal Meetzng Mznutes of March 17, 2004 Vesely noted that in the second to last paragraph on Page 6 the text that refers to a presentation by EDA W should be revised, as no representative from EDA W was present tonight. Mr. Whittenberg proposed the following: "The committee met on March 17, 2004 and recei-ved a presentatzon from Staff and then reviewed and discussed the document. " MOTION by Vesely; SECOND by Coles to Approve staff-prepared file "Memorandum" as amended. MOTION CARRIED: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: 3-0-2 Vesely, Coles, Dixon None Fitzpatrick and Boy 15. RECEIPT OF "MITIGATION PLAN FOR SIGNIFICANT CULTURAL RESOURCE DISCOVERIES, HELLMAN RANCH SPECIFIC PLAN AREA, SEAL BEACH, CALIFORNIA", REVISED FEBRUARY 2004 Recommendation: Receive and File the subject report, dated February 2004. Approve staff-prepared file "Memorandum." Mr. Whittenberg explained that this revised document is related to City issues on where the education facility should have been located on the Hellman property and all of the changes related to the final location as approved by the California Coastal Commission (CCC). He noted that all text revisions are underlined in the document. He indicated that the facility was relocated from an area that was close to the rear of the new homes on the John Laing Homes (JLH) property and to the back yards of the homes along Crestview Avenue, and moved to a location that is significantly further away from both of these residential areas. He stated that this move does not impact any of the cultural issues raised in the document. MOTION by Vesely; SECOND by Coles to Receive and File the subject report, dated February 2004. Approve staff-prepared file "Memorandum" as presented. MOTION CARRIED: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: 3-0-2 Vesely, Coles, Dixon None Fitzpatrick and Boy 16. RECEIPT OF PUBLIC COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REVIEW OF "SUBSURFACE INVESTIGATION AND EVALUATION AT BOEING PROPERTY, SEAL BEACH, CALIFORNIA", PREPARED BY EDAW, DATED DECEMBER 2003 Recommendation: Upon conclusion of receiving all appropriate public comments, staff recommends the Archaeological Advisory Committee review the document and the Page 4 of8 . . . City of Sea/ Beach Archaeologlcal AdvlSOry Commlttee Special Meetmg Mznutes of March 17, 2004 recommendations. The Archaeological Advisory Committee should forward any comments to EDA W regarding the document. Comments should be made through the approval of a comment letter, as may be determined to be revised by the Committee. Mr. Whittenberg stated that this is a requirement of the City Archaeology Element of the General Plan and a condition of approval on this project and the CCC Permit conditions. He indicated that thirty trenches measuring 36 inches wide by 15 feet long by 4Y2 feet deep were dug on the property. He said that the general determination of this investigation is that most everything on the property that has cultural material has been redeposited from another location. He noted that in most cases it was probably moved over from the location of the taller building on the Boeing property, which was where the original Hellman Ranch House was formerly located. He stated that apparently over the years while engaging in gardening activities residents of the Ranch House came upon various cultural materials, and also when the grading was completed by North American Rockwell many years ago, cultural materials were also shifted around. He indicated that having monitors present is recommended should further excavation deeper than 1.7 feet take place. Member Coles stated that he was very surprised to read the results of the investigation of the Landing site. He expressed his concern that the subsurface investigation may not have been as thorough as it should have been. Mr. Whittenberg stated that the only Redwine Studies show most of the cultural sites being closer to Seal Beach Boulevard along the slope of the hill. Mr. Dixon interjected that the other difference is that there are known burials already on the Landing Hill site. Mr. Whittenberg noted that his experience with this process has taught him that the only way to really know what is actually there is to grade the entire property. He stated that over the years there have been at least 5 different subsurface investigations conducted on the Hellman Property, which showed one finger bone. Yet the first day that fairly major grading took place on the JLH project, three burials were uncovered. Member Coles inquired whether a mitigation plan would be in place in advance of the controlled grading. Mr. Whittenberg stated that it is already in place. MOTION by Dixon SECOND by Vesely to approve the memorandum as presented. MOTION CARRIED: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: 3-0-2 Vesely, Coles, Dixon None Fitzpatrick and Boy 17. RECEIPT OF RESPONSE LETTER From EDA W Re: Request For Clarification Of "Archaeological Investigations Within The Hellman Ranch Specific Plan Area, Seal Beach, California", dated January 14, 2003 (Continued from May 21,2003) Recommendation: Instruct Staff as to any further actions the Committee may wish to pursue regarding this response letter. Receive and File EDA W Response Letter dated January 14, 2003. Page 5 of8 . . . Czty of Seal Beach Archaeologlcal AdvlSOry Commlttee Speczal Meetmg Minutes of March 17, 2004 Mr. Whittenberg stated that this item has been under consideration since 2003, and at this late point in time, he is not certain that it makes any difference. He indicated that Member Dixon was concerned whether the developer had hired the archaeologists. He noted that in Seal Beach, archaeologist are hired and controlled by the City. He explained that the City provides the developer with the projected monthly cost for archaeological services and each month the developer deposits money with the City to cover the costs for these services. Mr. Dixon stated that the wording should have reflected this more clearly. MOTION by Coles SECOND by Vesely to Receive and File EDA W Response Letter dated January 14, 2003 as presented. MOTION CARRIED: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: 3-0-2 Vesely, Coles, Dixon None Fitzpatrick and Boy 18. RECEIPT OF VERBAL STATUS REPORT re: EDAW site investigation work at Hellman Ranch (Heron Pointe development by John Laing Homes). Mr. Whittenberg stated that Committee members had been given several confidential documents and because of the nature of the documents, they were not placed on the agenda, as this would make them public documents. He indicated that Staff included the summary reports received from EDA W, which are also forwarded to the CCC and to the Native Americans on a regular basis. He stated that Staffhas talked to the Native Americans about allowing the AAC members to visit the site, but they are very protective of allowing anyone on the site while their ancestral remains are exposed. Member Coles asked how many burials there were. Mr. Whittenberg stated that so far 26 burials have been discovered, and the Native Americans have decided that they want all remains moved over to the preservation area so that they are all in one location. He indicated that it would probably take 30-60 days to complete this remaining work, and then preparations will begin for the actual reinterment process. He said that after this occurs JLH can complete the final mass grading and precise grading. He noted that the homes could not be constructed until after the education facility is completed and all of the remains have been relocated. The Director of Development Services then noted the copy of the letter sent to the CCC from JLH on how to deal with the concentration of all the remaining cultural material into the preservation area. Member Dixon asked if the CIty was awaiting an additional mitigation plan. Mr. Whittenberg stated that at this point the CCC has agreed to the plan as presented in the letter from JLH. Member Vesely asked whether construction on the education center had started. Mr. Whittenberg indicated that construction had not yet begun. He stated that construction of the retaining wall that runs along the back of the homes by the trail on the southwest portion of the property had commenced, and he noted that the installation of underground utilities would also be subject to cultural resource issues. He explained that the Native Americans have agreed that they do not want to have human remains scattered in different areas of the property, and the restoration area is large enough to also accept Native American remains from other locations. Member Vesely asked how much more grading would take place that might present the possibility of unearthing unexpected additional burial sites? Mr. Whittenberg stated that the work is about 85-90% complete, which leaves approximate 10-15% chance of discovering more Page 6 of8 . . . Czty of Seal Beach Archaeologlcal AdvlsOry Commlttee Speczal Meetmg Mmutes of March 17, 2004 burial sites. He emphasized that the determination is that no matter what burials or artifacts are found, these will be reinterred in the preservation area. He then stated that once the reinterment work is complete, landscaping work would begin. He presented the landscape plans noting that these would include California native plants. VII. Committee Concerns None. VIII. Staff Concerns Mr. Whittenberg polled the members to determine if they were available to meet on an alternate weekday, other than a Wednesday. He indicated that Monday was a good day to meet as this is when he stays late for the City Council meetings. He noted that City Council meets on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. He explained that in order to officially change the meeting date, Staff would need to create a draft resolution stating what the new meeting day would be. He said that this would appear on the next meeting agenda. He suggested meeting on April 7, 2004 sole?: to approve the resolution to change the meeting date, then schedule the next meeting for the 2n Monday in June 2004. Member Dixon asked about participating in the April 7 meeting via conference call. Mr. Whittenberg stated that members would have to be present in order to vote. IX. Adjournment MOTION by Dixon; SECOND by Coles to adjourn to the next scheduled meeting of April 7, 2004. MOTION CARRIED: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: 3-0-2 Vesely, Coles, Dixon None Fitzpatrick and Hoy The meeting adjourned at 6:28 p.m. ne Vesely, Chai son, chaeological Ad isory Committee Page 7 of 8 . . . Czty of Seal Beach Archaeologlcal AdvlSOry Commlttee Speczal Meetmg Mmutes of March 17, 2004 Respectfully Submitted, ('I .A'>.MJw>""'_ ~, Carmen Alvarez, Executive Secretary Planning Department APPROV AL The Archaeological Advisory Committee on 4 -r 7 - oP approved the Minutes of the Special Meeting of Wednesday, March 17, 20~ Page 8 of 8