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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRCC MIN 1995/03/20MINUTES OF A SCHEDULED REGULAR MEETING Resource Conservation Commission Chula Vista, California 6:30 P.M. Conference Room #1 Monday March 6 1995 Public Services Building CALL MEETING TO ORDER/ROLL CALL: Meeting was called to order with a quorum at 6:42 P.M. by Chair Burrascano. City Staff Environmental Review Coordinator Doug Reid called roll. Members present: Commissioners Hall, Marquez, and Fisher. Mayor Horton received Commissioner Ghougassian's resignation letter of February 3, 1995. Council also voted on February 21, 1995 to remove Michael Guerreiro from RCC due to excessive absences. Also present: Bob Leiter, Director of Planning. Kevin Clark expressed interest as a commissioner for RCC and was present to observe the meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: It was moved and seconded (HalUBurrascano) to approve the minutes of the meeting of February 6, 1995 with two corrections: Page 2, paragraph 1 project should be identified as "Rice Canyon." Paragraph 2 should begin "Marquez noted that RCC was unable to review the Jehovah Witnesses' project because the project date was moved up." Vote: 4-Q motion carried. It was MSUC (Marquez/Hall) to approve the minutes of the meeting of February 16, 1995; vote 4-0, motion carried. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Council referral regarding status of Resource Conservation Commission. Chair Burrascano sent a draft letter to each member for their input to staff to justify keeping the RCC. She will complete the letter and submit to staff for inclusion in their report to Council. Bob Leiter, briefly explained the Permit Streamlining Task Force. It had already recommended that RCC not hold separate public hearings, but still review EIRs and Negative Declarations with comments to the Planning Commission and City Council. RCC members provided insight into some of its specific functions. It was also involved in reviewing private negative declarations, historical preservation, waste management, environmental quality of life, energy conservation, and review of other environmental documents. Hall noted that Commissions were initially formed so local Chula Vista citizens could review items brought before the Council for public input. Resource Conservation Commission Page 2 Marquez questioned the Council's comments of redundancy in review of projects. Doug Reid clarified that the charter states RCC reviews energy ordinance, but in fact it is handled through the Building Permit Process. Some groups (i.e., Planning Commission and RCC) also reviewing the same documents (Draft Negative Declarations and Draft EIRs). Fisher pointed out that the Design Review Committee would review a document by looking at its site plan and design. RCC may review the same document and look specifically at environmental concerns. Some projects, however, do not go through the Planning Commission and are still viewed by RCC for their comment. There are instances when two commissions may look at a set of plans and viewing from a totally different perspective. He further said that the Planning Commission serves a very important purpose. Air, water, wildlife, open space, and quality of life of Chula Vista residents is also important and does warrant review by an environmentally-focused commission. If the City wants to be business-friendly, it should receive sound environmental comments to assure the quality of life for local businesses. The review of mitigation plans and making suggestions and recommendations are not redundant as biologists on this commission do view them differently. It is recommended that Reid submit a copy of RCC's attendance record to Council to show that meetings were held in the past seven months and that Ghougassian had not been present at all the meetings since being reappointed to the commission. Marquez stated that out of the four active members, only one meeting in the past twelve had been canceled due to lack of a quorum. Also, it recently took the time to reschedule a meeting when a member was expected to be absent, thus making less than a quorum. RCC is scheduled to review upcoming projects as MSCP, Otay Ranch, Bayfront, and the development of SR-125. RCC members feel their participation is important to the project as they are sure project managers would like to be as well informed as possible in their final decisions. It was emphasized that no project delay has ever occurred in the permitting process due to RCC's reviews. Also, Planning Commission's decisions are not affected whether RCC meets and comments on prolects Three of the four RCC members do not want to serve on other boards should this commission be eliminated. It was noted that past commissioners and council members have devoted much time to the RCC and the City's environmental concerns. It was reported that 89% of Americans polled rated the environment as the third most important concern, behind only to crime and the deficit. RCC members reiterate the importance of keeping this commission to deal specifically with environmental concerns. RCC has submitted recommendations to Planning Commission and Council, however, by their comments, it was clear they weren't always read by Council. Resource Conservation Commission Page 3 Burrascano asked how members should respond with press interviews, and questioned how their work telephone numbers were released. Mr. Leiter stated it was their option to voice personal opinions to the press since they are appointed to represent the citizens. It is unknown how work telephone numbers were obtained by the press. Staff report on permit streamlining process will go to the Council on March 28. This will include comments from the Economic Development Commission and the Resource Conservation Commission. A motion was made by Hall, seconded by Burrascano that Vivien Marquez represent RCC at the Economic Develop Commission meeting to discuss this issue Vote: 4-0, motion carried. Fisher noted that Mr. Toucher is already serving on the Planning Commission and Economic Development Commission and may have a conflict regarding the issue of redundancy of their reviews. He recommended that he withdraw his vote. It was requested Council appoint three people to fill the vacancies of the RCC. Hall requested Chair Burrascano submit a copy of the letter to Mr. Padilla the Council and asked that they read the minutes of the meeting for clarification on these issues. A motion was made by Burrascano, seconded by Marquez that the Resource Conservation Commission not be dissolved, that it is not redundant in its review of city documents, and that the Council read the minutes for further explanations. Fisher amended the motion to add that the RCC review does not slow down the permit process and does not affect any permit streamlining process; amendment accepted by Burrascano. Marquez further amended the motion to include that the RCC does serve an important function as it assists the Council; amendment accepted by Burrascano. Vote: 4-0, motion carried. 2. Election of Vice-Chair. Barbara Hall nominated Vivien Marquez who accepted the nomination. It was MSUC (Ha1lBurrascano) to accept Marquez as the Vice-Chair; Vote: 4-0, motion carried. STAFF REPORT: Doug Reid noted that the printing costs are already over-budget, but that funds will be reallocated from other budget line items. Resource Conservation Commission Page 4 CIIAIItMAN'S COMMENTS: Burrascano contacted Tom Arreola from Steve Padilla's office regazding his comments on RCC. She also talked to the editor of the Star News regarding the comment in the "Whispers" column regarding RCC. She advised him to verify his facts before printing. She also requested Reid send him an attendance record to confirm that meetings were held for the past seven months. COMMISSIONER'S COMMENTS: Fisher commented that all commissioners were volunteer citizens serving as part of their civic duty. Marquez suggested the City provide a tax deduction slip for services rendered for professional time as a commission member. However, Fisher noted one was not needed and that individuals could submit their time and other expenses for tax purposes. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned by Chair Burrascano at 8:05 P.M. Respectfully submitted, EXPRESS SECRETARIAL SERVICES ~~~ A tiafvi~_ ~ % ~ ~*'~'h1 Barbara Taylor