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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-14-09 Minutes� �tivv PaR� �'� City of Newport Beach Coastal/Bay Water Quality `iL1 �oRN Citizens Advisory Committee Minutes DATE: 5/14/09 TIME: 3:00 P.M. LOCATION: Fire Conference Room 1. Welcome/Self Introductions Committee Members: Chairwoman/Council Member Nancy Gardner Council Member Mike Henn Dennis Baker George Drayton Ray Halowski Tom Houston Janet Rappaport Randy Seton Guests: Monica Mazur Jack and Nancy Skinner City or County Staff: George Murdoch, Utilities Director John Kappeler, Code & WQ Division Supervisor Shane Burckle, Water Conservation Coordinator Michelle Clemente, Marine Protection and Education Supervisor Gregg Ramirez, Senior Planner Shirley Oborny, Administrative Assistant 2. Approval of Previous Meeting's Minutes The minutes from the March 12, 2009 meeting were approved. 3. Old Business (a) Bay and Ocean Bacteriological Test Results Ms. Mazur and Mr. Kappeler reviewed the latest bacti reports. 4. New Business (a) Newport Beach Tidepool & Education Program Ms. Clemente presented a PowerPoint presentation (Attachment 1) and answered questions. She talked about the Good Tidepooler Rules and how she is working hard with staff to improve the Tidepool Education program. The purpose for her presentation to the committee is to see if the City is interested in passing ordinances to protect the State -defined marine protected area in Newport Beach, because the City doesn't have any power to enforce violations. She said the City is only allowed to 1 remind people about the rules or call in the violations. She talked about the marine conservation area. Discussion ensued. Chairwomen Gardner said she would like to have this issue for a Study Session item in the next couple of weeks. Mr. Houston thinks there should be a sunset provision for whatever regulations are chosen. (b) NOAA Grant Mr. Stein said approximately six weeks ago NOAA put out a proposal for grant applications for projects that would restore wetlands areas. He said he and Mr. Kappeler continuously look for funds for the City's environmental programs. Together they put together a package of seven different projects and applied for a $7.5 million grant. He said they should find out shortly whether the City will receive any funding for the projects (Attachment 2). (c) Removal of OCSDs C2 Bacterial Monitoring Station Mr. Kappeler explained that the Orange County Sanitation District has an NPDES point source discharge permit. It's up for renewal and the public comment period is occurring right now. He referred to a handout (Attachment 3) that shows their comprehensive monitoring plan. The reason the City is interested in the C2 site is because during certain currents, the treated wastewater plume makes its way into Newport Canyon and close to the Newport Pier. The Sanitation District would like to remove only this monitoring site for cost reasons. A draft letter is included in the handout (discussion ensued). The committee suggested the City Council send the letter on behalf of the City. (d) Water Conservation Ordinance Mr. Murdoch explained that the updated water conservation ordinance and implementation plan has been in the works by the City for more than a year. He said the last weather drought was in 1992 when it was first adopted but in 2008 there is what's referred to as a regulatory drought. He said 40% of the water supplies that supply southern California are reduced through a court decision to protect the Delta Smelt. He explained that because there is a water shortage, it's a good time to review the previous ordinance and revise it to a water conservation ordinance that restricts the water usage should it get to a point where customers are asked to conserve. Mr. Murdoch and the committee discussed the updated draft ordinance (Attachment 4). They talked about gray water, re -harvesting water, tiered water rates, enforcement measures, water usage of proposed new development including Banning Ranch, rain water collection, etc. Mr. Houston asked why a permanentwater conservation plan needs to be put in place. Mr. Murdoch explained that part of the reason is to help decrease urban runoff for water quality purposes. 2 Mr. Skinner felt that Mr. Murdoch's presentation was very helpful. In response to Ms. Skinner, he confirmed that farms are closing down due to lack of water for irrigation. Mr. Baker strongly recommended the film 61ue Go/dabout desalination plants. The committee supported the draft ordinance as presented. 5. Public Comments on Non -Agenda Items Ms. Clemente announced Newport Beach's presentations of the Orange County Natural History Lecture Series at the Back Bay Science Center. Chairwoman Gardner said she was contacted by a consultant for The Irvine Company (TIC) who was hired to look at all of TIC's shopping centers to find ways to make them more environmentally friendly such as composting, etc. Mr. Baker announced that the Newport Bay Naturalists and Friends have asked Roger Mallet to apply for the position of Environmental Representative on the Newport Bay Watershed Management Committee that advises the Executive Committee. Chairwoman Gardner said the Newport Bay Executive Committee was presented with a plan to place a permanent boom in San Diego Creek to capture debris and to also do a study of looking at the watershed and pinpointing areas that generate more debris and how to better prevent it from entering the bay and sensitive areas. 6. Topics for Future Agendas (a) Water Conservation ordinance (b) Update of the NPDES Permit draft (John Kappeler) (c) Harbor Patrol y-valve inspections (d) Rockweed update (e) Carnation Stormdrain (f) Poseidon Desalination Project 7. Set Next Meeting Date The next meeting was scheduled for June 11tn 8. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 4:58 p.m. 3