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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/13/2007 - Study SessionCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH City Council Minutes City Council Study Session - Special Meeting November 13, 2007 — 3:30 p.m. I. ROLL CALL II. Present: Council Member Henn, Council Member Curry, Mayor Pro Tem Selich, Mayor Rosansky, Council Member Webb, Council Member Daigle, Council Member Gardner 1. CLARIFICATION OF ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR. In response to Council Member Gardner's question regarding Item 7 (Newport Coast Drive and Pelican Hill Road North Right Turn Lane), Public Works Director Badum reported that the City can authorize the work, but not authorize the consultant to move forward until the City is granted the easement from the homeowners association. In response to Council Member Daigle's question regarding Item S20 (Consulting, Planning and Advocacy Services for LCP), Assistant City Manager Wood indicated that they will try to have the consultant provide more detailed monthly statements, but aren't sure they will agree to that. In response to Council Member Henn's questions, Deputy General Services Director Pisani indicated that 90% of the City's striping is done by contract (Item 6: On -call Street Striping and Sign Installation). Regarding Item 13 (Marketing Assessment Report on the Newport Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau), Council Member Henn requested that the City ask the CVB Board for clarification relative to Gary Sherwin's work on other CVBs and the amount of compensation. Regarding Item 16 (LCP Amendment No. 2007- 001), Assistant City Manager Wood confirmed that this is the same draft from March 27. Council Member Curry announced that the Panini Cafe public hearing will not take place tonight due to a publication error (Item 14). 2. IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW INTEGRATED LIBRARY SYSTEM. Library Services Director Katsouleas reported that the software system has been completely funded by the Friends of the Newport Beach Public Library Foundation and the Fleener Estate. Web Services Librarian Hansen utilized a PowerPoint presentation to discuss the selection process for the Integrated Library System (Item 10). She noted that the software does more than the current system and integrates well with the existing system and vendors. 3. FIRE POTENTIAL IN NEWPORT BEACH CANYONS. Fire Marshal Bunting discussed the properties that hadn't complied with the hazardous reduction clearance notices, reported that all properties are compliant as of this morning, and displayed photos of Buck Gully in 1973 and 2002. He reported that there are CAD drawings for each of the 250 properties in Buck Gully and Morning Canyon to display Volume 58 — Page $16 City of Newport Beach Study Session Minutes — Special Meeting November 13, 2007 approved and noncompliant vegetation, and noted that the area has an approved plant list. He noted that the area is divided into thirds and that each area is inspected every three years. He pointed out that, even though the homeowner is supposed to clear their area every year, some wait until they receive the notice. In response to Council questions, Fire Marshal Bunting reviewed how the City reached the current standards in light of resident resistance. He indicated that the research relative to initially using goats to clear the brush is complete and the report will be coming before Council in about a month. He agreed that a fire in Buck Gully could take out most of Corona del Mar. City Attorney Clauson reported that the Laguna Beach City Manager had their areas cleared during the recent fires, but Newport Beach's bigger issue right now is water quality. Fire Marshal Bunting discussed the conflict relative to the separation between trees, the Fuel Modification Zones (FMZ) in Newport Coast, and the requirement to convert the hillside from a Hazard Reduction Zone (HRZ) to an FMZ if a house is being rebuilt. He discussed the purpose of FMZs and indicated that they are inspected annually. Fire Marshal Bunting explained the final noticing procedure and reported that Morning Canyon is almost as bad as Buck Gully, it is included in the goat study, Big Canyon is overgrown but the outlet is protected, Mission Bay Canyon is cleared annually by the City to 100 feet below the homes, and the City needs to resolve the safety issues in the John Wayne Gulch with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services. Council Member Gardner suggested discussing an exchange with them. Council Members Gardner and Henn expressed support for having inspections every two years. Council Member Henn requested recommendations for Buck Gully and Morning Canyon, and volunteered to conduct outreach with all the homeowners in that area. City Attorney Clauson noted that the agreement for that area is not binding on the City forever and there is nothing that prevents Council from reevaluating the issue and making another determination. Mayor Pro Tem Selich expressed concern that a lot of the property owners are not able to use the hillside and this will pose a financial burden on them. Fire Marshal Bunting indicated that the cost to clear the HRZ ranges from the cost of a gardener to $5,000- $8,000 if the property owner waits to clear their area every three years. He indicated that the cost would decrease after they change to an FMZ. Laura Dietz suggested notifying the homeowners once a year since the houses are so close together. She noted that fire equipment access is poor in Corona del Mar and believes) that a lot of education should be conducted. She suggested working with the Corona del Mar Homeowners Association. George Jeffries noted that many of the houses have overgrown brush. He expressed urgency in rectifying this issue. Philip Bettencourt saluted staff for working with the Newport Coast residents on the FMZ. Dick Nichols noted that a lot of trees in Corona del Mar are designated street trees and cannot be trimmed. He believed that the trees should be lowered and trimmed. 4. FLUORIDATION ISSUES. Utilities Director Myrter reported that the questions and answers from the October 9 meeting are posted on the City's webpage. Mayor Rosansky indicated that today's information will also be posted. Volume 58 - Page 317 City of Newport Beach Study Session Minutes — Special Meeting November 13, 2007 Dr. Dave Nelson, California Department of Public Health, utilized a PowerPoint presentation to explain the reasons for putting fluoride in the water. He highlighted anti - fluoride websites, noted what organizations are in favor of placing fluoride in the water, and discussed myths and realities about fluoride. He distributed a handout relative to fluorosilicic acid and indicated that people can use reverse osmosis to remove fluoride from water. In response to Council questions, Dr. Nelson indicated that absorption has not been brought up before. He explained that not all countries in Europe are fluoridating their water because they have universal health care or do not have treatment plants; however, some countries are providing fluoride through salt. Dr. Eugene Sekiguchi stated that the anti - fluoride testimony is not based on scientific research and indicated that fluoridated water is safe. He noted that he rarely sees cases of fluorosis. Jo Jass, Director of Seals on Wheels/Division of Healthy Smiles for Orange County Kids, described the program and the affects of tooth decay in children. She noted that treating decay is expensive and usually requires sedation. She expressed support for fluoridating the water. Jon Roth, Executive Director of the California Dental Association (CDA) Foundation, reported that they have supported community water fluoridation for decades and the American Dental Association (ADA) has supported water fluoridation since 1950. He invited everyone to read Fluoridation Facts at www.ada.org/gotolfluoride. Dr. Paul Reggiardo, pediatric dentist, believed ;that fluoridated water will reduce instances of decay in children and encouraged Council to move forward with this. Dr. Richard Mungo, pediatric dentist, stated that Orange County has more dental problems than the State and that science has proven the benefits of fluoride for prevention. Laura Dietz noted that there are a number of ways to prevent tooth decay. She expressed concern about the type of fluoride that will be used and quality control. Phillip Cutler stated that child tooth decay can be caused by several things. He noted that the presentation did not show fluorosis, talk about long term studies, or how it affects older teeth. He believed fluoride slows the thyroid gland, so there will be an increase in hip fractures, brain damage, and obesity. He discussed skin absorption and asked how the amount of fluoride to be used is calculated. Larry Porter stated that fluorine is very small and can be absorbed through the cells. He indicated that someone can get liquid fluoride with a prescription and discussed the labels on toothpaste. He suggested postponing the use of fluoride in water. Mayor Rosansky pointed out that no decision is being made right now. He clarified that the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) has decided to fluoridate the water and the City purchases water from them. Council Member Gardner reported that she and Council Member Daigle met with MWD, but they indicated that the City will not get a delay and that other cities want this. Blythe Fair indicated that the CDC spoke unfavorably about fluoridated water. She asked about the long term affects since fluoride can draw more arsenic and lead out of the plumbing and whether active alumina will remove fluoride. She believed that people Volume 58 - Page 818 City of Newport Beach Study Session Minutes - Special Meeting November 13, 2007 should have a choice and took issue with the suggestion to install reverse osmosis, especially since it is expensive, doesn't remove all the fluoride, and uses twice as much water. Council Member Gardner stated that she read that activated carbon filters remove fluoride. Jeff Green, National Director of Citizens for Safe Drinking Water, stated that fluoride in water has not reduced tooth decay in fluoridated communities. He suggested asking to see a study on hydrofluorosilicic acid. He also asked whether any chemical manufacturer would say that fluoride is effective in reducing tooth decay when swallowed. He noted that no manufacturer has met all the NSF Standard 60 regulations. He expressed concern for the public's safety and discussed a deposition that Dr. Nelson participated in. Dick Nichols stated that the California Republic and Assembly (CRA) unanimously voted against doing this. He expressed concern relative to the health affects of fluoride and believed that a topical application of fluoride would be better than ingesting it. He asked how baby formula is supposed to be mixed since infants aren't supposed to have fluoride. He discussed fluoride build -up, skin absorption, and reverse osmosis. Porsche Light stated that her dentists don't recommend fluoridation, but better nutrition and hygiene. She suggested spending money on teaching nutrition in the schools instead of medicating the population. She discussed health concerns and took issue with reverse osmosis. Nada Kahodis stated that she and her sister suffer from multiple chemical sensitivity and can't afford reverse osmosis. She noted that she won't be able to wash her hands, drink water, take a bath, or wear clothes that have been washed in fluoridated water. III. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None IV. ADJOURNMENT - 5:35 p.m. Recording Secretary Mayor vomn City Clerk 0 Volume 58 - Page $19