HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-09-19; City Council; 13317; Dissolution of the Open Space Advisory Committeec\B # 13; ? / ‘7 TITLE:
MTG.+l9 -9 5 DISSOLUTION OF THE OPEN SPACE
DEPT. ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND APPRECIATION
OF PRESENT AND FORMER MEMBERS
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
CITY OF CARLSBAD - AGFWA BILL c/?p
DEPT. HD.
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CITY MGR. +’
That the City Council ADOPT Resolution No. 95-~?70 , DISSOLVING the Open Space
Advisory Committee, with the City Council’s appreciation to all current and former members.
ITEM EXPLANATION
In 1990, City Council approved the appointment of a nine-member Open Space Ad&ory
Committee. The purpose of the committee was to advise decision-makers regarding the
implementation of recommendations of the Citizens Committee for Open Space.
The Open Space Advisory Committee addressed the recommendations of the earlier Citizens
Committee in the Carlsbad Open Space and Conservation Resource Management Plan
(OSCRMP) accepted by City Council on September 1, 1992. Since completion of the ‘
OSCRMP, the committee has been reviewing and making advisory recommendations on the
open space portions of master plans, specific plans and other major development proposals to
ensure consistency with the OSCRMP. The Committee has been meeting three to four times
per year to review these projects.
As noted in Mr. Heineman’s letter (see Exhibit 2), it appears that the committee has reached the
point where it should either be brought up to strength (9 members) or abolished. Recently, four
vacancies have occurred on the committee. These vacancies have made it difficult to achieve a
quorum. Furthermore, during 1993 and 1994, the committee only met 3 to 4 times per year and
in 1995 the committee has held no meetings. Because the committee meets infrequently, it has
become difficult to arrange meetings convenient to members. In view of this, it is suggested that
the committee be dissolved.
Since 1990, the Open space advisory committee has worked diligently with City staff, consultants,
developers and the citizens of Carlsbad to resolve open space issues for the betterment of the
community. The culmination of their efforts was the Open Space and Conservation Resource
Management Plan (OSCRMP), which has been formally integrated into the Open Space and
Conservation Element of the City’s General Plan. Staff has been able to implement the
objectives of the OSCRMP in new projects submitted to the City for review and approval.
Recently, the focus of open space planning has been on the preparation of a Habitat
Management Plan (HMP). There is a separate Advisory Committee for the HMP. Decisions
regarding habitat will greatly impact open space planning in the future and may require the
development of new open space policies. The HMP Advisory Committee includes a
representative of the Open Space Advisory Committee, Chairman Courtney Heineman. Mr.
Heineman has been a valued member of the HMP Advisory Committee since it was established
in 1992. Upon dissolution of the Open Space Advisory Committee, Mr. Heineman would
remain a member of the HMP committee. His presence on the HMP Committee will ensure
continuity of membership as well as guarantee that the broader issues regarding open space be
considered during the HMP planning efforts. Further, should a permanent HMP Committee be
established to monitor the habitat program, the City Council might want to consider appointing
one or two representatives from the Open Space Advisory Committee at that time. It is
PAGE 2 OF AGENDA BILL NO. 13,317
anticipated that the draft HMP will be ready for Council consideration in approximately four to
six months.
The duties of the Open Space Advisory Committee, such as reviewing master plans, specific
plans and other major development proposals for compliance with the OSCRMP, can be
assumed by the Planning Commission and City Council through the normal project review and
action process. This change is likely to improve public involvement because recent meetings of
the Open Space Advisory Committee have been poorly attended. This change will also
contribute towards the Staff and Council efforts to streamline the development process.
FISCAL IMPACT
Savings in Staff time and reproduction costs (estimated to be $l,OOO.OO per year) are anticipated
due to elimination of the Committee. Otherwise, there is no fiscal impact as a result of the
recommended action.
1. City Council Resolution No. c)5-230
2. Letter from Open Space Advisory Committee Chairman.
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RESOLUTION NO. 95-270
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, DISSOLVING THE OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
WHEREAS, the City Council established the Open Space
Advisory Committee on June 26, 1990 by Resolution Nos. 90-186 and
90-187; and
WHEREAS, the original purpose of the committee was to
advise the City Council, the Planning Commission, other boards
and committees and City staff, as deemed necessary on the
implementation of the recommendations of the Citizens Committee
for Open Space, accepted by the City Council on December 19,
1989; and
WHEREAS, the Open Space Advisory Committee addressed
the recommendations of the earlier Citizens Committee for Open
Space in the Carlsbad Open Space and Conservation Resource
Management Plan (OSCRMP), accepted by City Council on September
1, 1992; and
WHEREAS, the CSCRMP has been fully integrated into the
Updated General Plan, approved by City Council on September 6,
1994; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that implementation of
the OSCRMP can be ensured through the normal project review and
action process by the Planning Commission and City Council: and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that there are
sufficient other avenues for public involvement in open space
issues; and
WHEREAS,. the City Council finds that there is no longer
a need for a standing Committee devoted to the Open Space and
Conservation Resource Management Plan.
.
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NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of
the City of Carlsbad as follows:
1. That the above recitations are true and correct.
2. The the Open Space Advisory Committee is hereby
dissolved, with the appreciation of the City Council to all
present and former members of the committee for their time and
effort devoted to preserving Open Space and enhancing the quality
of life in the City of Carlsbad.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of
the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, on the
19th day of SEPTEMBER I 1995, by the following vote, to
wit:
AYES: Council Members Lewis, Nygaard, Kulchin
NOES: None
ABSENT: Council Members Finnila, Hall
ABSTAIN: None
CLAUDE A. LEWIS, Mayor
ATTEST:
ALETHA L.
(SEAL)
.
c. E. HEINEMAN EXHWT 2
2879 Woodridge Circle Carlsbad, California 92008 (6 19) 434-3006
C. E. H. MANAGEMENT COMPANY
August 29,1994
Mayor Claude “Bud” Lewis City of Carlsbad 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive Carlsbad. California 92008
Dear Buddy:
It appears to me that the Open Space Advisory Committe has reached the point where it
should either be brought up to strength (9 members) or abolished. As things stand now, we
have only five members and it is difficult to get a quorum even for this reduced number. Furthermore, we ate about to hoid our first meeting in six month::, to make a decision on the plans of a developer who seems to be departing from his proposal approved a year ago.
In view of this, it would be my suggestion that the Committee be given an honorable retirement. I believe that the Committee has served a very useful purpose, bringing the importance of open space to the attention of staff, elected officials, citizens and developers and leading to planning for both trails and greenways. Furthermore, I think staff would agree that the Committee contributed substantially to the unique Open Space and Conservation Resource Management Plan. It has been serving as a watchdog of that plan.
Now, with the Habitat Management Group making decisions that will enormously impact open space, including greenways and trails, it would appear that the advisory committee’s task is being taken over by habitat management. Certainly, with the participation of the Departments of Fish and Wildlife and Fish and Game, the habitat management people carry a good deal of clout at this point.This does not lessen the importance of open space vigilance and I hope that when a permanent body is set up to monitor the habitat program, it will contain at least two representatives from the present Open Space Advisory Committee.
It has been a pleasure to serve on the Open Space bodies for the past several years. I hope that we have contributed to the future of Carlsbad.
Sincerely,
Courtney E. Heineman, Chair Open Space Advisory Committee
cc: AI1 Council Members