Approved at the Regular Meeting of the Coastal Advisory Committee on September 19, 2024.
CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
COASTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
JULY 18, 2024
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Chair Jacobs called the Regular Meeting of the City of San Clemente Coastal Advisory Committee to order on July 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, Richard Ayer, John Dolegowski, Matthew Schmitt, Diek Van Nort, Chair Brian Jacobs
Members Absent: John Dow
Staff Present: Zach Rehm, Senior Planner
Maile Stivers, Public Information Coordinator
Leslea Meyerhoff, Coastal Administrator
Niki Beach, Environmental Programs Analyst
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE
The Pledge was led by Chair Jacobs.
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. May 16, 2024 Coastal Advisory Committee Meeting
MEMBER SCHMITT MOVED AND MEMBER AYER SECONDED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0, MEMBER DOW ABSENT.
2. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
A. Update Regarding North Beach Sand Replenishment Project Coastal Administrator Meyerhoff presented an update on the North Beach Sand Replenishment Project, explaining the lack of sand; proposed schedule; current conditions; location; emergency project approval; quality of sand; monitoring; project timeline; beach access; and public information.
In response to Committee questions, Coastal Administrator Meyerhoff discussed the stockpile of sand; aerial and shoreline profile monitoring; surveys; screening of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Coastal Advisory Committee of July 18, 2024 Page 2 sand; dump truck access location; encroachment agreement and planned pavement rehabilitation; sand placement above the mean high tide line; County Public Works screening of sand loads; project funding; OCTA’s project; and future loss of sand.
B. Nature Based Coastal Resiliency & Sand Retention Project Feasibility Study Coastal Administrator Meyerhoff, and Justin Peglow and Chris Webb, Moffat and Nichol, presented an overview of study objectives; revised design concepts; components of the concept designs; three project phases and timing; sand movement; and surf map.
In response to Committee questions, Coastal Administrator Meyerhoff, Mr. Peglow and Mr. Webb discussed the proposed timing for construction; 250 foot wide guideline; breakwater; impact on shoreline; living shore concept; costs for Phase 1 and 2; efforts for a smaller footprint while maximizing protection; storm surge and tide erosion; sand sources; $1.5 million Coastal Commission grant to complete the LCP and offshore sand investigation; purpose of submerged vegetative habitat breakwater; and success of kelp growth and reef building.
The Committee discussed the Winter event of 1983 and suggested it would be helpful for the community to understand impacts to sand; proposed 250 foot wide beach; break water at plus ten; and need to ensure wide dissemination of information.
Amanda Quintanilla expressed appreciation for information on the costs for each concept; indicated opposition to emergent breakwaters; and suggested posting at the beaches to inform the public.
George Gregory discussed opportunities for surfing and a harbor for health and safety, income, fishing, and paddle boarding.
Lois McNicoll discussed causes for sand erosion and suggested relocating the railroad.
Joe Wilson offered volunteers to take measurements; and discussed concern about unintended consequences. Mr. Webb indicated the Coastal Commission would likely require the ability to remove or drop features to remove the cause of unintended impact.
Chris Butler, President of the North Beach Community Association, suggested 3D renderings; discussed the proposed tax and need to ensure ideas were heard; and the need to evaluate short term solutions. Mr. Webb stated the ranking and evaluation was included in the feasibility study and the quality of the renderings could be improved but 3D modeling was beyond the scope of work.
The Committee indicated support for a matrix and better modeling.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Coastal Advisory Committee of July 18, 2024 Page 3
3. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
Amanda Quintanilla discussed the prior sand dunes at Salt Creek; support for the sand replenishment project at North Beach; and Clean Ocean Program Fee rather than a tax.
RECESS
Chair Jacobs called a recess at 6:06 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 6:12 p.m., with all Members presented except Member Dow.
4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS AND UPDATES
A. Consideration of Subcommittee Appointments
Members Ayer and Van Nort expressed interest in participating on the Sand Acquisition Subcommittee.
Member Schmitt withdrew from the Sand Acquisition Subcommittee.
BY ACCLAMATION, THE COMMITTEE DETERMINED JOHN DOW, RICHARD AYER AND DIEK VAN NORT AS THE SAND ACQUISITION SUBCOMMITTEE.
BY ACCLAMATION, THE COMMITTEE DETERMINED SUSAN AMBROSE, JOHN
DOLEGOWSKI AND DIEK VAN NORT AS THE WATER QUALITY
SUBCOMMITTEE.
B. Subcommittee Updates on Work Plan Items:
i. Sand Acquisition Subcommittee – Schmitt, Washington
Member Schmitt discussed development in Rancho Mission Viejo and suggested that as potential source of sand. Senior Planner Rehm explained the SCOUP Permit.
ii. Sand Retention Subcommittee – Dolegowski, Jacobs, Schmitt Chair Jacobs discussed shoreline monitoring and the potential to take snapshots in time of the beach.
The Committee discussed historical imagery of the coast line and suggested requesting aerial imagery; staff providing information on the tools and resources available to assist in identifying usable area of the beach; and the need to retain records of the conditions over time.
Chair Jacobs provided data on the beach sand and sand from the Whitewater Canyon near Coachella Valley and suggested it as a potential source.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Coastal Advisory Committee of July 18, 2024 Page 4 iii. Water Quality Subcommittee – Ambrose, Dolegowski, Washington Member Ambrose and Member Dolegowski discussed review of the January 2024 water quality report; and their PowerPoint presentation.
Environmental Programs Analyst Beach explained the Poche Beach Water Reclamation Project; and treatment and testing at the landfill.
C. Update Regarding Consideration of Dog Access to City Beaches Senior Planner Rehm provided an update on the Beaches, Parks, and Recreation Commission April 9, 2024 consideration of dogs on the beach.
The Committee discussed the proposed location and hours where dog access could be allowed; need for water quality; and impact of animal fecal matter.
5. NEW BUSINESS
A. Nomination and Selection of Coastal Advisory Committee Chair and Vice- Chair Member Dolegowski nominated Member Ambrose to serve as Chair.
Member Schmitt nominated Member Jacobs.
Amanda Quintanilla discussed the importance of public engagement and following Robert’s Rule of Order and the Brown Act and indicated support of Susan Ambrose as Chair and Member Dolegowski as Vice Chair.
CONSENSUS
By consensus, the Committee determined to continue the meeting past 7:00 p.m. for an additional 15 minutes.
The Committee voted to select Member Ambrose as Chair, which carried 5-0-1, Member Schmitt abstaining and Member Dow absent.
Chair Jacobs expressed interest in serving as Vice Chair.
Member Schmitt nominated Member Ayer.
Chair Ambrose nominated Member Dolegowski.
The Committee voted to select Member Jacobs as Vice Chair, which carried 6-0, Member Dow absent.
B. Consideration of Establishing New Meeting Schedule and Location of Meetings Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Coastal Advisory Committee of July 18, 2024 Page 5
MEMBER JACOBS MOVED AND MEMBER SCHMITT SECONDED A MOTION TO
RETAIN THE MEETING SCHEDULE ON THE THIRD THURSDAY OF ODD NUMBERED MONTHS AT 4:00 P.M. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0, MEMBER DOW ABSENT.
C. Consideration and Development of Coastal Advisory Committee FY 2024-2025 Work Plan
MEMBER SCHMITT MOVED AND MEMBER AYER SECONDED A MOTION TO TABLE THE ITEM TO THE NEXT MEETING. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0, MEMBER DOW ABSENT.
6. ITEMS FROM STAFF
A. Coastal Items Updates
Senior Planner Rehm presented slides depicting the Coastal Commission’s policy guidance on shoreline management technologies.
7. ITEMS FROM COMMITTEE MEMBERS
A. Committee Member Items
Member Ayer asked if the next meeting could be rescheduled to allow his participation but then withdrew his request.
8. ADJOURNMENT
MEMBER AYER MOVED AND MEMBER SCHMITT SECONDED A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:16 P.M. TO THE REGULAR COASTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING TO BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2024, AT 4:00 P.M. AT
SAN CLEMENTE CITY HALL, SECOND FLOOR COUNCIL CHAMBERS, LOCATED AT 910 CALLE NEGOCIO, SAN CLEMENTE, CALIFORNIA. THE MOTION 6-0, MEMBER DOW ABSENT.
Respectfully submitted,
______________________________
Brian Jacobs, Chair
Attest: ______________________________
Zach Rehm, Senior Planner