HomeMy WebLinkAbout27 - League of California Cities Coastal Cities Issues GroupCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item No. 27
July 14, 2009
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: David R. Hunt, City Attorney
Ext. 3131, dhunt @city.newport- beach.ca.us
SUBJECT: Appointment of Council Member Nancy Gardner to League of
California Cities Coastal Cities Issues Group
ISSUE:
Should the City Council appoint Council Member Nancy Gardner to attend the meeting
between the League of California Cities Coastal Issues Group ( "CCIG ") and the
California Coastal Commission, scheduled on August 12, 2009 in San Francisco?
RECOMMENDATION:
While formal appointment has not. been requested, we recommend appointment of
Council Member Nancy Gardner to serve on the CCIG and meet with the California
Coastal Commission on August 12, 2009 in San Francisco. We further recommend you
engage in a discussion of issues you believe are appropriate and give input to her as
you see fit.
DISCUSSION:
As you are aware, there is a "Coastal Cities Issues Group" ( "CCIG ") of the League of
California Cities. The Office of the City Attorney, through the City Attorney, has been
working with that CCIG in order to fashion a proactive, positive approach addressing
coastal issues to the California Coastal Commission. Also, as you are aware, Council
Member Gardner and the City Attorney attended the CCIG meeting in May held in San
Diego.
The CCIG has arranged for a sit down meeting with the California Coastal Commission.
The meeting is to take place in San Francisco on August 12, 2009. The delegation from
the CCIG is made up solely of elected officials. The CCIG nominated multiple officials
from throughout the coastal zone at its meeting in May. The CCIG has recommended
and nominated Council Member Gardner for a place at the table with the California
Coastal Commission. The nomination is based in part on the significance of Newport
Beach in the coastal zone as well as Council Member Gardner's credentials with the
Appointment of Council Member Nancy Gardner
to League of California Cities Coastal Issues CCIG
July 14, 2009
Page 2
environmental community. It was felt a Council Member with her background would be
helpful at the table with the California Coastal Commission.
The CCIG's goal in meeting with the Commission is to develop ways to streamline the
process for local jurisdictions to develop land use plans under the Coastal Act. The
CCIG seeks to have the Commission work toward a standardized approach whereby
local entities are given greater consideration in the process and greater certainty on
how to proceed. The meeting in August appears to be a potential first step toward
developing guidelines and potentially policies that will address specific issues
throughout the coastal zone of California.
The meeting is intended to open the door at the Commission level to work on
appropriate policies. The CCIG seeks to obtain policy direction from the Commission to
its staff to work with consultants from coastal cities on specific guidelines and policies to
address LUPs. It is likely, therefore, that matter will come back to either a second joint
meeting between the CCIG and the Commission or a meeting of the Coastal
Commission. Thus, this is an ongoing process that should have sustained involvement
by the appointed Council Member.
Environmental Review: This is not a project under CEQA.
Prepared & Submitted by:
SIGNATURE
v
David R. Hunt,
City Attorney
AO9- W47WAppt of NG to CCIG