MINUTES

JULY 18, 2005 MEETING OF THE

CITY OF SANTA MONICA

TASK FORCE ON THE ENVIRONMENT

 

The meeting was convened at 7:15 p.m.  Task Force members in attendance: Bill Selby, Sandy Grant, Susan Mearns and Mark Gold.  Santa Monica City staff in attendance: Brian Johnson.  Others:  Laurel Roennau, Marty Rubin.

 

Public Input on Agenda Items

There was no public input.

 

Minutes

The minutes from the meeting of July 18, 2005 were unanimously approved.

 

Discussion and Recommendations Regarding the Opportunities and Challenges Report for the Update of the Land Use and Circulation Elements of the General Plan

 

Sandy Grant presented her preliminary comments following her review of the Opportunities and Challenges Report.  After discussion the Task Force unanimously adopted the following motion to be transmitted to the Planning Commission and City Council:

“A preliminary review of the Land Use and Circulation Elements Opportunities and Challenges Report suggests that portions of the report are not consistent with the Sustainable City Plan and the goals, indicators and targets therein.  Staff is requested to complete a detailed analysis to ensure consistency between the two documents.  Further details and examples will be provided from the Task Force on the Environment following their September 19, 2005 meeting.”

 

This item was agendized for further discussion at the September 19, 2005 meeting.

 

Follow-up Discussion and Recommendations Regarding Task Force Priorities for FY 2005-06

 

The Task Force members reviewed and discussed draft objectives for FY 2005-06 and following revisions unanimously adopted a final list of priorities, which is attached to these minutes.

 

 

Discussion and Recommendations Regarding Filling Task Force Vacancy

Following review of the four Task Force applications and discussion the Task Force unanimously recommended that Robert Lempert be appointed by City Council to fill the vacant position. 

 

Discussion Regarding Calendar of Upcoming Environmental Activities

Brian Johnson discussed upcoming environmental activities.  He noted that the Parks and Recreation Commission had requested a joint meeting with the Task Force to discuss a “beach greening” proposal.  Task Force members indicated a preference to send one Task Force representative to a Parks and Recreation Commission meeting rather than hold a joint meeting and requested that the Parks and Recreation Commission forward any resolution that it adopts on this topic to the Task Force for endorsement.

 

Update on SCAQMD Air Quality Study at Van Nuys and Santa Monica Airports

Susan Mearns noted that the next meeting of the group will be held in November.  She had nothing new to report on this topic.

 

Update on Sustainable City Task Force

Sandy Grant provided the update and discussed current progress that the SCTF has made engaging the school district in discussions about sustainability.

 

Metropolitan Water District Update

No update was provided because MWD Board member Judy Abdo was not present.

 

Public Input on Non-Agendized Matters

Bill Selby noted that the Santa Monica College Environmental Speakers Series begins September 22.

 

Laurel Roennau discussed traffic analysis methodology as it relates to the development at Santa Monica Place.  Mark Gold requested that Laurel come to a future Task Force meeting to brief them on traffic methodology issues.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:15pm

 

City of Santa Monica

Task Force on the Environment

Fiscal Year 2005/06 Priority Objectives

 

 

 

Santa Monica Urban Watershed Management Plan

 

-         Recommend approval of the Plan by City Council

-         Review and comment on Phase I of Implementation Plan, including financing approach, implementation time frame and development of Airport Subwatershed Plan

 

Santa Monica Strategic Energy Initiative and Climate Change Gas Reduction Strategy

 

-         Recommend approval of both initiatives by City Council and advise on development of initial implementation plan and time frame

-         Review and comment on climate change gas emission inventory and recommend reduction strategies and targets

-         Recommend to City Council certification of the City’s climate change gas emission inventory for the California Climate Action Registry

 

Green Building Ordinance Update

 

-         Review and comment on proposed ordinance update to implement expansion of ordinance to include all residential development, aggressive energy efficiency and recycled material standards

 

Solid Waste Management Improvements

 

-         Collaborate with staff to develop Zero Waste Strategy for City for presentation to City Council, including possible ordinance-based approach to maximize community solid waste recycling and establishment of supporting fee-for-service incentives

-         Monitor, review and comment on pending studies and reports related to solid waste infrastructure improvements to support progress toward zero waste goal

-         Review and comment on proposal to establish polystyrene and/or plastics reduction requirements and recommend approval by City Council

 

Green Schools Initiative

 

-         In collaboration with Sustainable City Task Force, school district officials and City staff, assist in the development and implementation of green building, integrated pest management and toxics use reduction policies and practices at the school district

 

Civic Center Redevelopment

 

-         Monitor, review and forward recommendations as necessary to City Council on the initial residential phase of Civic Center redevelopment and Santa Monica Place redevelopment to ensure adherence to the Sustainable City Plan

 

Land Use and Circulation Element

 

-         Monitor, review and forward recommendations as necessary to City Council to ensure adherence to the Sustainable City Plan

 

Santa Monica Airport

 

-         Obtain pending study data when available, identify any data gaps and evaluate data for sufficiency to perform a human health risk assessment and if warranted, recommend to City Council that a human health risk assessment be performed.