MINUTES

FEBRUARY 28, 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, Matt Petersen, Sandy Grant, Susan Mearns, and Mark Gold.  Santa Monica City staff in attendance: Craig Perkins, Brian Johnson, and Dean Kubani.  Others:  Council Member Kevin McKeown, Planning Commissioner Arlene Hopkins, Marty Rubin, Stacy Brown, Dave Isenberg, Robert Rotman, Adam Holt, Louisa Fish, Georja Umano Jones, Bruce Favish, Dr. Betty Olson, and fifteen additional members of the public.

 

Public Input on Agenda Items

There was no public input.

 

Minutes

The minutes from the meeting of January 24, 2005 were unanimously approved.

 

Follow-up Discussion and Recommendations Regarding Proposed Off-Leash Dog Area on Santa Monica Beach

 

Brian Johnson presented background information on recent City Council direction to staff to investigate options for development of a pilot off-leash dog area on the beach north of the Santa Monica Pier. He noted that he is expecting to receive written input from the California Department of Parks and Recreation, the Los Angeles County Lifeguards, and local environmental organizations regarding the proposal within the next two to four weeks.  The Task Force members agreed to wait to review the letters from the various organizations before making a recommendation to City Council.  Brian noted that Council has asked staff to report back on this item in June 2005.  Three members of the public provided input:  Dr. Betty Olson from UC Irvine indicated that she has reviewed an environmental report on the off-leash dog area in Long Beach prepared by Tetra Tech and will provide her comments when the Task Force addresses this issue at a future meeting.  Georja Umano Jones from Unleash the Beach presented a written statement from Dr. Suzanne M. Valente in support of an off-leash dog area at Santa Monica beach, and Louisa Fish expressed concern that creation of an off-leash dog area will create more negative traffic impacts in Santa Monica.

 

Discussion and Recommendations Regarding Draft Resolution by Borderline Neighborhood Improvement Committee

 

Robert Rotman from the Borderline Neighborhood Improvement Committee (BNIC) presented concerns of Borderline Neighborhood residents regarding pedestrian safety, lack of open space and trees, parking, and traffic issues in the neighborhood.  He presented a draft resolution/proposal to address these problems to the Task Force for consideration.  Following questions and discussion, the Task Force unanimously adopted the following motion:

“The Task Force on the Environment recommends that City Council consider the goals of the Sustainable City Plan when allocating funds for neighborhood improvement, with particular attention given to neighborhoods where infrastructure quality is less than that of other neighborhoods in the city, such as the Borderline neighborhood.”

 

 

Presentation on Draft Urban Watershed Management Plan

Brian Johnson presented an update on progress the City has made in development of its Urban Watershed Management Plan.  He noted that the goals of the plan are to reduce pollution in urban runoff and urban flooding, and to increase water conservation, recreational opportunities, open space and wildlife and marine habitat.  Brian indicated that the final draft of the plan will be completed within the next two weeks and will be forwarded to the Task Force members for review and comment (Note: completion of the final draft has been delayed.  It is now expected to be completed in May 2005 and will be forwarded to the Task Force when it becomes available).

 

Update on Pending Amendments to the City’s Water Conservation Ordinance and Building Code

 

Craig Perkins provided the update.  He noted that City staff is currently drafting changes to the plumbing code to allow for the installation of waterless urinals in Santa Monica.  The Building and Safety Commission is scheduled to review the changes in March or April and will forward them to City Council for adoption in May or June 2005.  The comment period on the draft changes will begin in March. Craig indicated that he will provide more details to the Task Force as they become available.

 

Discussion and Recommendations Regarding Civic Center Village Development

Discussion on this item was deferred until the next meeting.

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

Susan Mearns provided the update.  She indicated that the meeting planned for February 22 had been postponed and a new meeting date had not been set.

 

Update on Sustainable City Task Force

Sandy Grant provided the update.  She noted that the SCTF meeting in February had been cancelled due to lack of a quorum and that this may delay completion of the Sustainable City Implementation Plan.

 

Discussion Regarding Calendar of the City’s Upcoming Environmental Activities

Brian Johnson presented a summary of upcoming environmental activities and Task Force members discussed timelines for current and future projects.

 

Metropolitan Water District Update

This item was deferred until the next meeting because MWD Board member Judy Abdo was not present.

 

Santa Monica College Environmental Speaker Series Update

Bill Selby presented information on upcoming lectures and noted that a schedule of future events in the series is posted at www.smc.edu

 

Discussion and Recommendations Regarding Future Task Force on the Environment Involvement in the Update Process for the Land Use and Circulation Elements of the City’s General Plan

 

Sandy Grant recommended that the Task Force review the draft Working Principles Report (Note: this has since been renamed the “Emerging Themes Report”) for the Land Use and Circulation Element Update when it becomes available to ensure consistency with the Sustainable City Plan.  Task Force members agreed and appointed Sandy and Mark Gold to a review subcommittee to review and comment on the report on behalf of the TF in the event that the report isn’t released in time for review by the full TF.  Planning Commissioner Arlene Hopkins invited TF members to attend and provide input at the first Planning Commission meeting in April when the draft report will discussed.

 

Public Input on Non-Agendized Matters – none.   Meeting was adjourned at 9:25pm