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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 1972/02/24 MINUTES OF A JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND ENVIRON~NTAL CONTROL CO~ISSION OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA Held Thursday - 7:30 P.M. February 24, 1972 A joint meeting of the City Council and Environmental Control Commission was held on the above date beginning at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chamber, Civic Center, 276 Fourth Avenue, with the following members present: Councilmen Scott, Hobel, Hamilton, Hyde, Egdahl Absent: None Environmental Control Commission members present: Glenn, Hooper, Taylor, Miller, Mitchell, Marasso Absent: Hastings (excused) Also present: City Manager Thomson, Administrative Assistant Ratelle SB 325 - PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION Administrative Assistant Ratelle referred to his SYSTEMS written report to the Council regarding SB 325, which became law on November 4, 1971, to be ef- fective on July 1, 1972. The Bill relates primarily to the financing of a public transpor- tation system. Mr. Ratelle stated he contacted Mr. Claude Page of San Diego Transit regarding their request for CPO to release some funds. Both the County Board of Supervisors and CPO have interpreted the Bill to mean that the 1/4% funds cannot be utilized for existing transit systems. San Diego Transit feels this interpretation is premature since no guidelines have been issued from State Business and Transportation Agency. Mr. Ratelle added that Mr. Prior, of San Diego Transit, has spent the week of January 31, 1972, in Sacramento giving testimony before this agency. Mr. Ratelle further added that San Diego Transit did not make a request for utilization of the SB 325 funds for current transit systems. It requested the Board of Supervisors and CPO to reevaluate their interpretation of the restric- tions for utilization of the 1/4% SB 32S funds. Councilman Hobel remarked that CPO has gone on record recommending that the 1/4% be put into a trust fund. Transit Coordination Committee Mr. Ratelle commented that he is attending the meetings of this committee. Their responsibility is to develop a 10ng-range transportation program. Funds available to City Discussion ensued on the amount of funds that would be forthcoming to this City under the Bill. Councilman Hobel estimated it to be between $100,000 and $125,000 annually. Agencies authorized to allocate In answer to Commissioner Miller's inquiry, Mr. the funds Ratelle listed the following agencies which would be allowed to allocate the monies collected by the 1/4% sales tax: 1. A statutorily created regional transportation agency. The only such agency in the State i5 the Metropolitan Transportation Commission in the San Francisco area. - 1 - 2. A council of government - under this pro- vision, the CPO Policy Committee will be responsible for allocating revenues in the region, 5. If a majority of the cities with at least S0% of the population agree, the county and the cities have the option to form a local transit commission. Phase 4 - Air Cushion The Council briefly discussed the pilot project Vehicle - Rohr by Rohr Industries - Phase 4 (Air Cushion Vehicle). Councilman Scott noted that Mayor Wilson of San Diego has recently been to Washington to promote this project. Mr. Ratelle commented that this is a federally- funded project and the monies would not be coming from the SB 325 funds. Funds generated In answer to Chairman Glenn's question, Mr. Ratelle stated that it is estimated that the 1/4% will generate $8,000,000 in the County and the 1% will generate an additional $2,000,000. This City's share will be approximately $625,000 in the County and $125,000 from the additional 1%. The monies will be dispersed according to a detailed formula which includes population as one of the more important elements. AIR POLLUTION CONTROL - Chairman Glenn explained that a request was made SDG~E Variance Request to Council to oppose the variance requested by SDG~E Company from the Air Pollution Control District in regard to the emission of oxides of nitrogen from the South Bay Plant. The hearings, however, have taken place - the variance has been granted. Gunther Cohn, Attorney Mr. Cohn stated he is the attorney for SDG§E 101 Ash Street, San Diego Company. He listed the reasons for the variance request, and the conditions under which it was granted. In Chula Vista, it primarily concerns Boiler No. 5 in the South Bay Plant. The variance is effective upon the date of the order and until December $1, 1972. Conformance to variance In answer to Councilman Hobel's inquiry, Mr. Cohn stated that the Company does not now have the expertise in technology to bring this boiler into conformance. They are doing a great amount of research; and, hopefully, they will be able to make some modification by the end of this year. Cost of replacement Commissioner Marasso asked about the cost of replacing the boiler to that of modifying it to conform to the variance requirements. Mr. Cohn indicated it would be approximately 10 to 1-- approximately $10,000,000 to replace the boiler. Technical operation of the Mr. Watkins, Engineer for SDG~B Company, discussed boiler the operation of the boiler and the technologies being made to reduce the emissions. He gave a comparison of the cost of using oil versus gas. In answer to the Council's inquiries, Mr. Watkins commented that the variance request was given on a one-year basis, and it would be possible to request an extension. Report requested Mayor Hamilton requested the San Diego Gas & Electric Company to submit a letter from time to time to the Council and ECC n~ting the progress being made in bringing the boiler in compliance with the requirements of the variance. ESCONDIDO AGREEMENT WITH Mr. Art Bishop, SDG&E, introduced Mr. Jim SDG&E FOR CONSTRUCTION OF Henderson, Electric Engineering Department, ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION LINES and Mr. Jack Crumbly, Attorney for SDG&E. Review of agreement Mr. Crumbly reviewed the background of the agreement and the terms set forth in the agree- ment. He commented that it was not in its final form, and, to date, has not been signed by the City or SDG&E. 69 KV CIRCUIT Discussion was held on the conversion of the overhead 69 kv circuit to underground it as it crosses Interstate Highway IS. Mr. Henderson submitted pictures of double circuit towers and described a bundle circuit. Conversion of lattice type poles In answer to Councilman Scott's question, Mr. Menderson stated there were no immediate plans to convert the poles in the Chula Vista area; the Company is concentrating on new construction - undergrounding existing distributions, and have set up a list of priorities. Money is an object, and there is just so much they can do. Cost factors discussed The Council discussed cost factors with Mr. Henderson. Mr. Henderson indicated that the cost of overhead versus undergrounding is ap- proximately 6 to 1. The maintenance costs are unknown at this time, since the operation has been in effect only 5 years. All the results of the liability and maintenance are not in. ECC RECO~B{ENDATION REGARDING Mayor Hamilton referred to ECC's recommendation STA-POWER that the City consider the use of "Sta-Power"-- an additive which is claimed to cause major reductions in the quantity of hydrocarbons emitted by motor vehicles. He stated that a gentleman came to his office representing this product; and he was referred to the City Manager's office and to the Assistant Director of Public Works. Upon investigation of this product, it was discovered that: {1) the State Attorney has brought suit against "Sta-P~wer" for false advertising; (2) the Los Angel~ Police were contacted since they use this l~roduct. They would not give any evaluations over the phone, but did volm~teer to send this City its remaining quantities of this product. Mayor Hamilton requested that, in the future, if someone should come before the Commission with another product, the Commission refer him to either the Mayor's or the City Manager's office. The product will then be evaluated and the report will be sent to the Commission. ECC RECONNENDATION REGARDING Mayor Hamilton referred to the ECC's request to LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES provide a speaker to the League who would PRESENTATION DESCRIBING THE describe the establishment and work of the ECC. CO~qISSION Mayor Hamilton indicated the Council should know more about this - what type of presentation would be made - what type of program, and who the speaker would be. Commissioner Miller stated he has been approached several times by inquiries as to the operation of this Commission. These people have asked for some type of literature or hand-outs that might be available. Suggestions for program Councilman Scott suggested a program be devised whereby the three Commissions could be repre- sented: ECC, Youth and Human Relations. He added that a sin~ole brochure describing the operations of the Commissions is a good idea. Councilman Hyde suggested writing an article and inserting it in the Western and Nation's Cities magazines. To be placed on next agenda Mayor Hamilton directed the City Clerk to find out the month of the League dinner that the City of Chula Vista will host this year, and to put this matter back on the next City Council meeting for action - March 7, 1972. ECC REQUEST REGARDING NATIONAL Mayor Hamilton noted that the environmental im- ENVIRON~NTAL POLICY ACT OF 1969 pact requirement is written into the legislation, but the League of California Cities will not back that legislation unless environmental impact is defined. Councilman Hobel noted that the County EDA, headed by Bob Small, handles the environmental impact studies for the County. Chairman Glenn stated it was his understanding that if it was FHA financing, FHA would then request this of the developer. Referred to City Attorney Mayor Hamilton referred this to the City Attorney for more information and report. ECC REQUEST REGARDING Councilman Scott remarked that the only question INTERN PROGRAM here would be the philosophy one - is it a good policy for a commission to have a staff under their jurisdiction, or should a staff member have charge of the interns. Councilman Hyde felt it should be referred to the City Manager for {1) determination of those aspects of the program that he feels should be implemented, and (2) what type of funding and staff would be provided, and (3) how the manage- ment of the program would be ~zplemented. City Manager's comments Mr. Thomson briefed the Council on the procedure of handling the intern program, the determina- tions to be made, the evaluation of the interns, program assignments, etc. He indicated it would present some problems if there was a split in responsibility and a number of interns were assigned to the ECC. Mr. Thomson then referred to the Charter section covering these assignments. Councilman Scott suggested the Commission come up with topics of studies to be made, then the staff could handle the assignments and evaluations. Brought back at budget time Mr. Thomson remarked that this could come up at budget time, and at that time, the Council can consider the amount of money to be spent, the total projects, etc. CLAREMONT ENVIRONMENTAL Councilman Scott complimented the interns and the RESOURCES TASK FORCE STUDY commissioners on the reports made on this study. He briefly discussed the Claremont Study com- menting that he was intrigued by their methods of attacking the problems. He would like to see certain priorities set up for this city: (1) things that Chula Vista can accomplish by itself; (2) things Chula Vista can do with other entities; (3) things which can be lobbied for. Other suggestions Commissioner Marrasso suggested Chula Vista start off fresh and add other items not included in the Claremont Study, such as the coastline. Council agenda Mayor Hamilton directed the City Clerk to add this item totthe agenda of March 7, 1972. BOTTLE ORDINANCE Chairman Glenn noted a letter he submitted to the City Clerk addressed to the Council requesting a public hearing be set on the adoption of an ordinance requiring businesses selling soft drinks and beer to have at least S0% by brand of these items in returnable containers. Placed on next agenda Mayor Hamilton asked the City Clerk to put this request on the next Council agenda (March 7) for action by the Council. CONTINUATION OF MEETINGS Commissioner Miller expressed the Commission's gratitude for the meeting tonight, and suggested it be continued on a regular basis. ADJOURNMENT The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 10:05 P.M. to the meeting scheduled for Tuesday, February 29, 1972, at the Bonita Vista High School beginning at 7 P.M. -5 -