CITY OF SANTA MONICA

TASK FORCE ON THE ENVIRONMENT

The meeting was convened at 7:10 p.m. Task Force members in attendance: Susan Mearns, Sandy Grant, Matt Petersen, Bill Selby, David Hertz, Erik Neandross and Mark Gold. Santa Monica City staff in attendance: Brian Johnson, Greg Reitz, Donn Umber and Dean Kubani. Others: Mayor Pro tem Kevin McKeown, Parks and Recreation Commissioners Jennifer Wolch and Lori Nafshun, Planning Commissioner Arlene Hopkins, MWD Board member Judy Abdo, Laurel Roennau, Mary Davis, Louisa Fish, Marty Rubin, Gene Burke, and one other member of the public.

Minutes

The minutes from the July 21, 2003 meeting were unanimously approved with the following correction on page 3 under “General Plan Noise Element Discussion”: “The item was not discussed because Planning Commissioner Arlene Hopkins, who agendized the item, was unable to attend because the meeting ended earlier than anticipated.”

Discussion Regarding Playa Vista Phase II EIR Review

Task Force members discussed the process for future review of the draft environmental impact report for Playa Vista Phase II. Susan Mearns noted that she would review the Safety/Risk of Upset, Air Emissions, Earth, and Water Quality sections of the EIR. Mark Gold indicated that Heal the Bay would review the Water Quality and Natural Resources sections. Kevin McKeown indicated that City Council has requested that the City of Los Angeles extend the review period from 60 days to 180 days to allow the City adequate time to review the EIR. City Planning staff are currently reviewing various sections of the EIR and will forward their recommendations at a future Council meeting top allow Council adequate time to respond to the EIR on behalf of the City. Task Force members discussed their desire to coordinate with City staff on the review and unanimously passed the following motion: “The Task Force on the Environment wishes to coordinate with City staff on review of the Playa Vista Phase II draft EIR and presentation of recommendations to City Council.”

Mary Davis, chair of the EIR review committee for the Ballona Wetlands Trust indicated that BWT will be reviewing the Traffic, Cultural, Parks and Recreation, Housing and Population, Gases, Aesthetics, Water and Geology sections of the EIR. Laurel Roennau asked if the Task Force would formally collaborate and exchange information with BWT during their EIR review. Task Force members recommended that BWT should attend future public meetings of the Task Force and City Council when Task Force recommendations will be presented and discussed.

Update on the City’s Marine Mammal Rescue Protocols

Donn Umber, manager of the Santa Monica Police Department Animal Control Division, presented information on SMPD protocols for marine mammal rescue. He noted that the City acts as an agent of the National Marine Fisheries Service for the handling of marine mammals and feels that SMPD staff have adequate training and ability to comply with NMFS guidelines regarding marine mammal rescue. Donn indicated that as a NMFS agent, the City is required to act as primary responder in marine mammal rescues. He also noted that under the terms of the agreement between the City and the Whale Rescue Team, Peter Wallerstein and WRT are prohibited from acting as first responder.

The Task Force recommended that the agreement be modified to allow WRT to act as a first responder. They also strongly recommended that Peter and WRT ‘s services be utilized in partnership with SMPD at a much higher level than they are currently. Since Peter and WRT are seen as experts in this field and provide their services free of charge, this could save the City money and staff time. Donn acknowledged that this is an option that he will look into.

Approval of Letter Conveying Task Force Comments on SCP Advisory Body Staff Report

Task Force members discussed draft recommendations to Council regarding the establishment of a Sustainable City advisory committee. Sandy Grant agreed to summarize the comments into a cohesive recommendation, which she will circulate to Task Force members for final approval prior to forwarding to City Council.

Discussion of Proposed Dark Sky Ordinance and Green Building Program Update

Greg Reitz, the City’s Green Building Advisor, presented an overview of the green building program history and discussed his efforts to promote green building within City operations and in the community. Greg also presented background information on a proposed Dark Skies Ordinance in Santa Monica. The purpose of the proposed ordinance is to reduce glare from outdoor lighting in order to improve viewing of the night sky in Santa Monica. This could be accomplished through modification of code requirements addressing outdoor lighting. Task Force members and commission liaisons provided Greg with input and recommendations on the proposed ordinance. Greg indicated that he would return to the Task Force in the coming months with an updated draft of the ordinance.

Discussion on Sustainable City Outreach to Other Communities

Mark Gold initiated the discussion and expressed a desire on behalf of the Task Force that the City become more proactive in promoting the successes of its sustainable city efforts to other cities in the region, with the goal of getting other cities to adopt sustainable city programs. Dean Kubani provided background on staff outreach efforts to date. While staff have presented information on the SCP to numerous cities and organizations in the region over the past several years, outreach to other communities hasn’t been prioritized and staff hasn’t developed a proactive outreach campaign. This item will be agendized for additional discussion at the October 20 Task Force meeting.

Discussion on No Water Waste Ordinance

Susan Mearns asked if water brooms might be allowed under the No Water Waste Ordinance as an alternative for cleaning hardscape in residential areas. Brian Johnson provided background on the ordinance and indicated that the City has recently begun stepping up enforcement and education of homeowners and landscaping contractors regarding ordinance requirements. He indicated that prior to creating exceptions to the ordinance, such as use of water brooms, staff is proceeding with programs to educate landscape contractors about compliance with the ordinance.

Update on Recent Planning Commission Issues – Traffic and Noise

Arlene Hopkins provided an update on recent actions taken by the Planning Commission. She indicated that the Planning Commission recently held a study session on new traffic modeling techniques and is in the process of drafting a letter to Council recommending that City Planning staff update to the use of new traffic modeling methodologies to replace the out-of-date modeling methods they are currently using.

She also discussed the draft Noise Element / Noise Ordinance Update which was recently presented to the Planning Commission for input. She feels that the updated element/ordinance draft represents a relaxation of protections for residents from those present in the existing Noise Element. Arlene requested that the Task Force consider addressing future noise and traffic issues as they come up.

Update on Climate Change Lawsuit

Brian Johnson provided the update. Friends of the Earth has requested that the City of Santa Monica be added as a plaintiff to their lawsuit against the Overseas Private Investment Corporation and the Export-Import Bank. The case is currently before a judge in Washington DC and he hasn’t yet ruled on whether Santa Monica can be added as a plaintiff.

Subcommittee Updates

Regarding air quality sampling at the Santa Monica Airport, City staff have been working with SCAQMD staff to begin the process of developing an air sampling protocol. Brian Johnson noted that this process has been somewhat delayed by the SCAQMD and that he is working with Airport staff to move it along. Brian indicated that he will keep Susan Mearns informed of progress in this area. Marty Rubin provided recommendations on the design of the monitoring proposal and Susan agreed to include his input in the proposal.

Regarding water fluoridation, Susan noted that she is waiting on City Utilities staff to arrange a meeting with the consultants Black and Veatch to address the questions forwarded to them by Susan and Mark. Brian is working to set this meeting up. Following the meeting, Mark and Susan plan to present the Task Force concerns regarding fluoridation to Council during the public comment period at a future Council meeting.

Santa Monica College Guest Presenter Lecture Series

Bill Selby presented a schedule for the lecture series for fall 2003 and noted that Playa vista will be discussed on November 20. He requested input on potential speakers for that session.

Metropolitan Water District Update

MWD Board member Judy Abdo provided an update on the Imperial Valley water transfer negotiations and feels that all sides are coming close to an agreement.

Public Input

Gene Burke provided suggestions to Task Force members on questions to ask Black and Veatch regarding fluoridation, and distributed a copy of a letter from the US EPA regarding the absence of health effects studies related to fluosilicic acid.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:10pm