CITY OF SANTA MONICA

TASK FORCE ON THE ENVIRONMENT

The meeting was convened at 7:10 p.m. Task Force members in attendance: Tim Carmichael, Bill Selby, Susan Mearns, Matt Petersen and Bobby Rees. Santa Monica City staff in attendance: Craig Perkins, Miriam Mulder and Brian Johnson. Others: Recreation and Parks Commissioner Lori Nafshun, Andy Henderson, Louisa Fish, Barbara Filet and Laurel Roennau.

Minutes

The minutes from the meeting of September 24, 2001 were unanimously approved.

Santa Monica Airport Air Quality Discussion

Tim Carmichael had requested that this item be agendized. He provided some background regarding airports as sources of air pollution and expressed his and the Coalition for Clean Air’s concerns about air pollution impacts related to Santa Monica Airport (SMO). Andy Henderson, an attorney representing nine households adjacent to SMO, discussed the plaintiffs’ recently completed lawsuit against the City. The plaintiffs’ primary concern is noise and pollution impacts to their families and property values as a result of increased jet traffic at SMO. The intent of the lawsuit was to require the City to purchase the plaintiffs property. The lawsuit was largely unsuccessful, however the court required the City to pay relatively minor nuisance claims to three of the plaintiffs. Following questions and discussion by the Task Force, Tim presented three courses of action that he feels the City should consider with regard to SMO: 1) Ban all jet aircraft from the airport, 2) limit highly polluting aircraft, or 3) purchase the property of affected households adjacent to the airport. He requested that this item be agendized for further discussion at the November 19 meeting of the Task Force.

Airport Park Discussion

The Task Force agendized this item at the request of former Recreation and Parks Commissioner Heather Trim and Planning Commissioner Arlene Hopkins. Heather and Arlene had previously reviewed the plans for the proposed park and made recommendations that address design elements of the park that could be enhanced to "adequately comply" with the City's Green Building Guidelines and attain a LEED silver certification for the project. Miriam Mulder, an Architect with the City's Civil Engineering Division, gave a presentation to the Task Force regarding the design and features of the proposed park. Miriam discussed the sustainable features planned for the park including permeable surfaces and storm water infiltration galleries, efficient irrigation systems, photovoltaic panels, efficient fixtures in restrooms, and sustainable landscaping. She discussed the difficulty of applying the LEED rating system, which was developed for buildings, to a park project. Members of the Task Force expressed concern about constructing a park / playing fields adjacent to the airport because of elevated levels of air pollutants and potential soil and groundwater contamination near the site. They indicated that they wish to review copies of the EIR when it becomes available.

Civic Center Discussion

Craig Perkins provided background on the process to update the Civic Center Master Plan and provided a summary of comments received at a public input meeting held by the Civic Center Working Group on October 14. He noted that an additional meeting of the Civic Center Working Group was scheduled for October 16 to finalize the conceptual plan for the Civic Center. Craig confirmed that all City funded structures in the Civic Center area will be constructed to meet the LEED silver rating. Matt Petersen indicated that he submitted a letter proposing that an environmental and community center to house local non-profit organizations be included in the final plan. He also discussed this proposal with council members on the working group. Task Force members expressed concern that their comments regarding the master plan be submitted and considered in a timely manner and that the current plan for the Civic Center is not environmentally sensitive. Craig indicated that the RFP for the Environmental Impact Report will be issued as soon as the master plan is adopted by City Council. The Task Force asked to be closely apprised of the schedule for the pre-EIR scoping meetings. They passed a motion to have a Task Force member attend the scoping meeting.

Report on Sustainable City Program Update Process

Brian Johnson provided the update. The first meeting of the Sustainable City Working Group (SCWG) took place on October 8. The group focused on review of existing Sustainable City Program goals and proposals of additional goals to address gaps in the program. He indicated that a complete set of notes from the October 8 meeting will be forwarded to all Task Force members by the following week. The next meeting in the update process is a meeting of the Technical Advisory Committee, a sub-set of the SCWG, on November 14 to begin developing indicators to measure progress towards the proposed goals. Mark Gold and Susan Mearns will represent the Task Force at that meeting. Barbara Filet, who represents the Pico Neighborhood Association and Cycle Santa Monica asked the Task Force to ensure that the revised Sustainable City Program emphasize non-motorized and alternative forms of transportation. Laurel Roennau expressed concern that community groups were not represented on the TAC and requested to be included in the group.

Santa Monica College Proposal: “Project Engagement”

Bill Selby provided the update. Bill indicated that SMC is developing a new class as a component of Project Engagement. The class will be an Introduction to Environmental Studies and Bill invited members of the Task Force to participate as guest lecturers.

Metropolitan Water District Update

MWD Board member Judy Abdo was not present so discussion on this item was deferred until the November 19 meeting.

Public Input

Barbara Filet reiterated her desire for the Task Force to include and promote bicycle-related transportation development in Santa Monica as part of the Sustainable City Program update.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:30pm