MINUTES

JUNE 20, 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, Erik Neandross, Sandy Grant and Mark Gold.  Santa Monica City staff in attendance: Craig Perkins, Brian Johnson, Greg Reitz and Dean Kubani.  Others:  Council Member Kevin McKeown, Michael Drennan, Laurel Roennau, Marty Rubin, Alex Man and Stacy Brown.

 

Public Input on Agenda Items

There was no public input.

 

Minutes

The minutes from the meeting of May 16, 2005 were unanimously approved.

 

Update on Garden/Garden Demonstration Project at Santa Monica College

Brian Johnson presented comparative information on the native xeriscape and conventional demonstration gardens located at Santa Monica College.  He noted that between July 2004 and April 2005 the native garden required significantly less water and maintenance and generated much less green waste than the conventional garden.  He noted that the city has received additional grant funding for this fiscal year to conduct an extensive outreach campaign to publicize the demonstration garden and promote the benefits of native and xeriscape gardens.

 

Santa Monica College Green Building Policy Update

Greg Reitz reported that he has spoken with SMC staff regarding green building on the campus.  He was told that SMC does not have an official policy regarding green building, but that the college intends to achieve a LEED Certified rating for the planned Liberal Arts Buildings (Phase 1 and 2).

 

Sustainable City Task Force Update

Sandy Grant provided the update and noted that the SCTF has prepared a memo for City Council outlining the progress made in developing an Implementation Plan for the Sustainable City Plan and requesting funding to assist with future implementation measures.

 

Update on Urban Watershed Management Plan

Brian Johnson and consultant Michael Drennan provided the update. They noted that the UWMP is currently in its final draft form and will be presented to City Council for conceptual approval later this summer.  The plan evaluates opportunities, constraints and treatment options for each of 13 sub-watersheds within Santa Monica and includes a hydraulic analysis of the Santa Monica watershed to identify capacity deficiencies in the current stormwater system.  The plan includes recommendations for numerous best management practices and drainage upgrades designed to reduce the flow of polluted urban runoff into Santa Monica Bay and to improve the effectiveness of stormwater management in the city.  Estimated total cost to implement the recommendations of the UWMP is $218 million over 20 years. 

 

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

 

Task Force members discussed a draft list of priorities for the coming fiscal year.  The group agreed to review the list prior to the July 18 meeting and return with specific goals for each priority.  Regarding the proposed City Budget, the Task Force unanimously approved the following motion:  “The Task Force on the Environment strongly endorses the recommendation of the Sustainable City Task Force that City Council consider contributing to funding for staffing an independent coordinating group to coordinate community outreach and education efforts for sustainability and assist the SCTF, the City and community stakeholders in achieving the goals of the Sustainable City Plan”.

 

Discussion and Recommendations Regarding the Civic Center Specific Plan / Santa Monica Place Environmental Impact Report

 

Following discussion the Task Force unanimously approved the following motion: “The Task Force on the Environment recommends that City Council require that future Environmental Impact Reports and all required California Environmental Quality Act documents for major development projects, such as the Civic Center and Santa Monica Place, include a checklist of comments on whether and to what degree the project is consistent with the goals of Santa Monica’s Sustainable City Plan.”

Public Input on Non-Agendized Matters

Marty Rubin noted that he had attended the most recent SCAQMD meeting regarding the air quality study at the Santa Monica Airport.  He provided an update about the meeting and noted that the next meeting of this group is scheduled for July 14, 2005 at the Ken Edwards Center.  Marty also recommended that the Task Force make airport air quality one of their priorities.

 

Task Force member Sandy Grant announced that she intends to resign from the Task Force on the Environment, as soon as a replacement for her is identified.  She noted that in the future she will continue to participate in the Task Force as a liaison representing the Sustainable City Task Force.

 

 

The meeting was adjourned at 10:00pm