Approved at the Regular Meeting of the Coastal Advisory Committee on March 21, 2024
CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
COASTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
JANUARY 18, 2024
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Coastal Administrator Meyerhoff called the Special Meeting of the City of San Clemente Coastal Advisory Committee to order on January 18, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. The meeting was held at San Clemente City Hall, Second Floor Council Chambers, located at 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, California.
Committee
Members Present: Members Susan Ambrose, John Dolegowski (arrived at 4:04 p.m.), John Dow, Brian Jacobs (left at 4:45 p.m.), Matthew Schmitt, Aaron Washington, and Suzie Whitelaw
Staff Present: Leslea Meyerhoff, Coastal Administrator
Elizabeth Mitchell, City Attorney
Janet Batchelor, Management Analyst II
Chris Johnson, Senior Planner
Niki Beach, Environmental Programs Analyst
Jacob Ohana, Senior Engineer
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE
The Pledge was led by Member Washington.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
None.
4. SPECIAL OR PUBLIC PRESENTATION
Welcome and presentation on the role of the advisory committees to the City Council by City Manager Andy Hall. Presentation by City Attorney Elizabeth Mitchell on new committee member training.
Mayor Cabral welcomed the Committee Members and thanked them for their participation.
City Attorney Mitchell provided an overview of the role of Committee Members; local laws applicable to the Committee Members; functions and duties; requirements for filing Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700); and Conflict of Interest, Brown Act, Public Records Act, and Ethics Training regulations.
Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Coastal Advisory Committee of January 18, 2024 Page 2 In response to Committee questions, City Attorney Mitchell explained means of Committee Members attending other agency meetings; and attending meetings that might cover the Committee’s subject matter jurisdiction.
5. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
George Gregory discussed beach erosion and presented ideas for sand replenishment. He expressed frustration with his prior efforts to address the matter.
He offered his boat and services to assist in building a harbor.
Amanda Quintanilla reminded the community about the Grunions and urged mindfulness of the impact of sand replenishment. She congratulated the Committee.
Don Brown discussed his prior involvement on the Coastal Advisory Committee and Planning Commission and wished the Committee well. He discussed topics before the Committee and encouraged the members to prepare for the meetings.
Ruth Martin questioned why sand replenishment north of North Beach was not being addressed and the delineation between the Coastal Advisory Commission and Beaches, Parks and Recreation Commission. She asked if there was a conflict of Committee Members serving on Save Our Beaches. She congratulated the members.
6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS AND UPDATES
None.
7. NEW BUSINESS
A. Welcome and Introductions of the Committee and Staff The Committee Members and Staff introduced themselves and provided an overview of their backgrounds and experience.
B. Nomination and Selection of Coastal Advisory Committee Chair and ViceChair Ruth Martin recommended considerations for selecting a Chair and Vice Chair and suggested Susan Ambrose be selected as Chair.
Amanda Quintanilla suggested Aaron Washington be selected as Chair and Susan Ambrose as Vice Chair. She asked if there was a conflict between the Committee and Save Our Beaches.
The Committee accepted nominations for Chair.
Member Washington nominated himself to serve as Chair.
Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Coastal Advisory Committee of January 18, 2024 Page 3 Member Dow nominated Brian Jacobs to serve as Chair.
Member Ambrose nominated herself to serve as Chair.
A roll call vote for Member Washington to serve as Chair was conducted and failed 3-4, Members Ambrose, Dolegowski, Dow and Whitelaw dissenting.
A roll call vote for Member Jacobs to serve as Chair was conducted and carried 4- 3, Members Ambrose, Dolegowski, and Schmitt dissenting.
The Committee accepted nominations for Vice Chair.
Member Jacobs nominated Member Washington to serve as Vice Chair.
Member Washington nominated himself to serve as Vice Chair.
Member Ambrose nominated herself to serve as Vice Chair.
A roll-call vote for Aaron Washington to serve as Vice Chair was conducted and carried 5-2, Members Ambrose and Dolegowski dissenting.
C. Consideration of Establishing 2024 Meeting Schedule
The suggested dates for the 2024 meeting schedule of the Coastal Advisory Committee are the third Thursday every other month beginning in January 2024.
Vice Chair Washington suggested the Committee meet monthly. City Attorney Mitchell referenced the Municipal Code section indicating the Committee would meet every other month.
CONSENSUS
By consensus, the Committee directed staff to inform the Council of the Committee’s desire to meet monthly and encouraged each Member to reach out to the Council as well.
MOTION
Vice Chair Washington moved and Member Ambrose seconded a motion to direct staff to bring back a resolution adopting the Committee calendar. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
D. Collaborative Brainstorming and Discussion of General Topics for City Council Consideration in Connection with the City Council Setting the Coastal Advisory Committee Work Plan for 2024
Member Whitelaw presented her proposed workplan.
Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Coastal Advisory Committee of January 18, 2024 Page 4 Chair Jacobs left the meeting at 4:45 p.m.
The Committee discussed whether landslide issues were within its purview; acquisition of sand; importance of having a presence with other agencies; Committee assistance to staff on projects and involvement with other agencies; need to formulate strategies to coordinate with the Coastal Commission and OCTA; request for information on how to retain sand; and data collection.
In response to Committee questions, Coastal Administrator Meyerhoff discussed Staffs’ involvement in working with other agencies, including the OCTA and the Coastal Commission; stakeholder involvement; guest speakers to address the Committee; and shoreline protection monitoring program.
Environmental Programs Analyst Beech explained the collaboration between water quality and solid waste staff efforts.
Member Whitelaw proposed agendizing establishment of subcommittees at the next Coastal Advisory Committee meeting. Member Ambrose seconded the proposal.
MOTION
Vice Chair Washington moved and Committee Member Schmitt seconded a motion to recommend the City Council consider the draft proposed work plan as follows:
1. Get Sand
a. SANDAG (Regional Beach Sand Project III
b. "Sand via Rail" pilot project (North Beach, State Beach) c. SCOUP permit
d. OCTA Phase I Track Stabilization Study (Metrolink, LOSSAN and Caltrans)
e. Study for new sand sources
f. Federal project oversight and advice
g. Pay for Sand and Retention Structures
1). Research grant opportunities
2). Research other funding opportunities (tax or fee)
3). Research public / private partnership PPP
2. Keep Sand
a. Nature Based Solutions Study
b. Other studies (literature search and field observations of natural features)and Request for Information from engineering firms c. San Clemente Regional Shoreline Monitoring Program and potential extension and potential to switch to satellite imagery
Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Coastal Advisory Committee of January 18, 2024 Page 5
3. Water Quality
a. Poche Beach
b. Other storm drains: field observations, sampling, prioritize c. Request presentation by Water Quality staff
d. Solid waste reduction/recycling
4. Collaborate with others
a. Beaches, Parks & Recreation Commission (We will monitor their agendas and Committee Member will attend as needed)
b. SANDAG Shoreline Preservation Working Group
c. OCTA Phase I Track Stabilization Study Stakeholders Group d. State Parks
e. Orange County Coastal Resilience Task Force (Katrina Foley group) f California Coastal Commission
g. Interface with experts on coastal issues
h. Other municipalities to understand how they deal with sand i. Surfing groups to understand how to protect our surfing resources The motion carried 6-0, Chair Jacobs absent.
8. COMMUNICATIONS FROM COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND STAFF
Member Ambrose congratulated the new officers.
ADJOURNMENT
VICE CHAIR WASHINGTON MOVED AND MEMBER SCHMITT SECONDED A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 6:55 P.M. TO THE SPECIAL COASTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING TO BE HELD ON JANUARY 22, 2024, AT 3:00 P.M. AT SAN CLEMENTE CITY HALL, SECOND FLOOR COUNCIL CHAMBERS, LOCATED AT 910 CALLE NEGOCIO, SAN CLEMENTE, CALIFORNIA. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0, CHAIR JACOBS ABSENT.
Respectfully submitted,
______________________________
Brian Jacobs, Chair
Attest: ______________________________
Zach Rehm, Senior Planner