Wednesday, January 31, 2018
5:00 PM
City of Manhattan Beach
1400 Highland Avenue
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
City Council Chambers
City Council Adjourned Regular Meeting
Mayor Amy Howorth
Mayor Pro Tem Steve Napolitano
Councilmember Nancy Hersman
Councilmember Richard Montgomery
Councilmember David Lesser
Meeting Minutes - Final
Environmental Sustainability Study Session
January 31, 2018City Council Adjourned Regular
Meeting
Meeting Minutes - Final
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A. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
At 6:00 PM, Mayor Howorth called the meeting to order and announced that there was a notice sent by staff that the meeting would begin at 6:00 PM due to the attendance of City Council for Dr. Lester Silverman Memorial Services held that same day.
B. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
Resident Ben Burkhalter led the Pledge of Allegiance.
C. ROLL CALL
City Council
Present - Mayor Howorth, Mayor Pro Tem Napolitano, Councilmember Hersman, Councilmember Montgomery and Councilmember Lesser.
Staff
Present - Interim City Manager Bruce Moe, City Attorney Quinn Barrow, Community Development Director Anne McIntosh, City Clerk Liza Tamura and Environmental Programs Manager Dana Murray.
D. PUBLIC COMMENTS (3 MINUTES PER PERSON)
Henry Johnson spoke about the "Understanding Sustainable Development, Agenda 21" as provided by Freedom Advocates organization and is opposed to environmental sustainability.
Gregory Moran spoke about the email he sent to City Council prior to the meeting and is in support of solar energy and wireless technology.
Allie Bussjaeger
from Grades of Green, spoke in support of the work plan as proposed.
Isabelle
Youngson and Mackenzie Packer, Co Commisioners of Environmental Sustainability at Mira Costa High School, spoke about the trash cans relocated throughout the campus for closer access at all times and a need for funding to purchase triple stream trash cans to keep up with the increase in students.
January 31, 2018City Council Adjourned Regular
Meeting
Meeting Minutes - Final
Alice Neuhauser spoke in support of the work plan as proposed and the lack of rain and water reuse in the City.
Kevin Whilden, Co Founder of Sustainable Surf, spoke in support of the work plan and how to reduce carbon footprints from residents and issues related to climate change.
Jackie May spoke about plastic pollution and how it reaches the ocean via storm drains and teaching the public about being environmentally responsible and recycling.
Wayne Powell spoke about recycling and is in support of the environmental work plan.
Jenifer Duffy spoke in support of the Environmental Programs Manager and public outreach and education
campaigns about the hazards of wood burning smoke from
fireplaces throughout the year.
Mayor Howorth announced that Senator Ben Allen along with Heal the Bay and Surfrider are
having a rally to protect the coastline on the Santa Monica Pier from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM on Saturday, February 3, 2018.
Ian McKeown, Sustainability
Coordinator for Loyola Marymount University, spoke in
support of plastic straw ban and also in support of the work plan.
E. GENERAL BUSINESS
1. 18-0033Discussion and Approval of Environmental Work Plan for 2018-2020 (Community Development Director McIntosh).
APPROVE
Community Development Director Anne McIntosh provided a brief summary regarding the history of environmental discussions previously held by City Council.
Environmental Programs Manager Dana Murray provided the PowerPoint presentation.
Mayor Howorth asked if staff can either send alerts through Nixle or have the information available in the City's website about "No Burn Day" for public outreach.
Councilmember
Lesser inquired about solar energy including changes in state law and pursuing changes in the City's building code, on-site retention of gray water and what criteria to seek in order to prioritize some of the issues for further direction.
Environmental
Programs Manager Murray and Community Development Director McIntosh responded to City Council questions.
Councilmember Montgomery spoke about the City moving forward with the straw ban as a follow up to the plastic bags and the development of a new Environmental Task Force.
Mayor Pro
Tem Napolitano spoke about the Environmental Task Force including other departments that can assist moving forward, such as Parks and Recreation, Public Works, etc.
Mayor Howorth spoke
about sustainable communities and taking a different look at some of the new items City Council can discuss.
January 31, 2018City Council Adjourned Regular
Meeting
Meeting Minutes - Final
Councilmember Hersman spoke about education and outreach for students on some of the City's policies and what everything will cost once the Environmental Task Force is created and has a five-year sustainability plan.
Mayor Howorth opened the floor to public comment.
Craig
Cadwallader spoke about the creation of the new Environmental Task Force and how there
is a need for people who can make a difference to be part of the new task force to bring new ideas and goals.
Joe Galliani spoke in support of the new Environmental Task Force, programs to address climate change, policies and climate adaptation.
Allie Bussjaeger
spoke about plastic straw bans and that it should also include lids and utensils, and about educational outreach during Earth Month.
Ben Burkhalter spoke in favor of the new Environmental Task Force with people who are passionate about the subject.
Daniel
Quisenberry spoke on water development such as vapor from a room being turned into drinking water.
Juliette Deinum spoke on climate change and animal agriculture such as provide
information/educational outreach to the public.
Gerry O'Connor spoke on the need of accountability and leadership from City Council to move staff and the goals as determined forward.
Ian McKeown spoke about supporting solar energy.
Seeing no further requests to speak, Mayor Howorth closed the floor to public comment.
At 7:43 PM City Council recessed and reconvened at 7:49 PM with all Councilmembers present.
Community Development Director Anne McIntosh provided a brief description of what direction staff is seeking.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Napolitano, seconded by Councilmember Montgomery, for staff to move forward to establish an Environmental Task Force and bring back the criteria and process for which staff uses to seek members and time frame. A friendly amendment by Mayor Howorth, accepted by the maker to also include subject areas as part of the process. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Mayor Howorth, Mayor Pro Tem Napolitano, Councilmember Hersman, Councilmember Montgomery and Councilmember Lesser
5 -
Community Development Director Anne McIntosh responded to City Council questions.
January 31, 2018City Council Adjourned Regular
Meeting
Meeting Minutes - Final
A motion was made by Councilmember Lesser, seconded by Councilmember Hersman, to come up with the prioritization and determination of which items are appropriate for the Environmental Task Force and which items should go to staff. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Mayor Howorth, Mayor Pro Tem Napolitano, Councilmember Hersman, Councilmember Montgomery and Councilmember Lesser
5 -
Councilmember Montgomery
spoke about Verizon acquisition, undergrounding, the
task force following up with Mira Costa High School regarding their request for double and triple stream trash cans, and wood burning use throughout the year.
Mayor Howorth agrees with Councilmember Montgomery regarding wood burning being used throughout the year.
Community Development Director Anne McIntosh responded to City Council questions.
Mayor
Pro Tem Napolitano requested for a broader discussion and the Environmental Task Force should have input on this discussion.
A motion was made by Councilmember Montgomery, seconded by Mayor Howorth, to direct staff to bring back a draft ordinance related to smoke from either fireplaces and/or fire pits on adjacent properties and also have the Environmental Task Force to weigh in on what is presented to City Council. A friendly amendment by Mayor Howorth, accepted by the maker to include a notification in place to residents of when they are allowed to use firewood.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Mayor Howorth, Mayor Pro Tem Napolitano, Councilmember Hersman, Councilmember Montgomery and Councilmember Lesser
5 -
Councilmember Lesser is proud with the advances the City has made and is happy for the City to continue to be a leader in taking action in many other environmental items.
Councilmember
Hersman asked about Earth Day and the continuation of developing a plan
to do a series of educational opportunities and/or workshops that can reach other groups.
Mayor Howorth spoke about items that the Environmental Task Force can study; straw ban, electric vehicles and a ten year vulnerability assessment.
Community
Development Director Anne McIntosh and Environmental Programs Manager Dana Murray responded to City Council questions.
Mayor Pro Tem Napolitano wanted a broader look at plastic pollution policy other than just straws and it should just be everything as suggested by public comments; also, for the Environmental Task Force to identify 10 and/or 20 year accomplishments and how to move forward.
City
Council agreed that they were glad to have this opportunity to fully discuss how the City can move forward regarding environmental sustainability issues.
January 31, 2018City Council Adjourned Regular
Meeting
Meeting Minutes - Final
F. ADJOURNMENT
At 8:19 PM the City Council adjourned to the Closed Session on Tuesday, February 6, 2018, at 4:30 PM in the City Council Chambers, in said City. _____________________________
Martha Alvarez
Recording Secretary
_____________________________
Amy Howorth
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
Liza Tamura
City Clerk