HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-11-20; City Council; MinutesMINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING OF:
DATE OF MEETING:
TIME OF MEETING:
PLACE OF MEETING:
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
November 20,2002
11 :00 a.m. - 1 :00 p.m.
Faraday Administration Center 173A
The Special Meeting was called to order by the Mayor at 11:03 a.m. All Council
Members were present. Also present were the City Manager and the City Attorney.
The Mayor requested that Item No. 1, Council Reports, be held over until after the
discussion of the other items.
The discussion began with Item No. 2 regarding production, distribution, and delivery of
water and water related services by public or private entities and related land use issues.
The Planning Director Michael Holzmiller, Community Development Director Sandra
Holder, and Associate Planner Scott Donnell made a presentation to Council reviewing
the history of land use issues on the Encina Power Plant property, the proposed location
of a desalination plant .
It was noted that Council’s previous direction on negotiations with Cabrillo Power, the
current plant owner, and SDG&E, the former owner, regarding land use issues was to
ensure that:
Redevelopment agency projects are not compromised.
0 The relocation of the power plant is not jeopardized.
0 Water access to both the lagoon and the beach is maximized.
Staff then updated Council on its negotiations with Cabrillo Power, SDG&E and the
County Water Authority regarding the proposed desalination plant and related land use
issues. Staff pointed out that in its concurrent negotiations with the three entities
concerned, these objectives could be compromised since construction of a desalination
plant would probably delay power plant relocation, and power plant retrofitting of
equipment to comply with Air Pollution Control District standards has involved a
substantial financial investment. Also, access to the power plant property has been
chilled by safety concerns following the events of September 11, 2001, reducing the
potential for lagoon and beach access near the power plant.
The California Coastal Commission has now approved SDG&E’s lot line adjustment
requests and does not seem to be opposed to location of the desalination plant on the
Encina property. Council Member Nygaard requested written confirmation from the
California Coastal Commission that they would allow passive public uses along the
southern boundary of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon were the City to acquire that property
in exchange for a reconfiguration of the commercial site currently owned by SDG&E east
of Interstate 5 and north of Cannon Road.
Staff went on to discuss negotiations with the County Water Authority regarding who
would be Lead Agency for environmental review of the desalination plant. Staff
proposed that the City support CWA as the lead agency if:
0 The scope of the EIR is sufficiently broad to address land use and public access
issues, as well as aesthetics and consistency with the Redevelopment Plan.
0 CWA agrees that the City has permit authority, including the requirement for a
Major Redevelopment Permit, a Precise Development Plan and an Amendment
to the Specific Plan in conjunction with the project. The City would then become
a Responsible Agency.
The California Water Authority is looking for closure with the City by March 2003.
Cabrillo Power has now submitted a Planned Development Plan to the City for the entire
property, which includes the desalination plant.
The discussion then turned to Item No. 3, the Community Grant Activity Program and
Council Member Finnila suggested that these funds not be used for social services since
CBDG funds were appropriate for that purpose. Council Member Nygaard agreed. City
Manager Patchett noted that some agencies think that police services will be gifted to
them for community activities, but clarified that is not the case. All Council members
agreed that a gift of police services is not appropriate.
A discussion of Item No. 4 was deferred to a future Council meeting. The Council voted
upon a facilitator for its December workshop to review Council protocol and procedures.
No decision on a facilitator was made and Council Member Finnila and the Mayor
agreed to make further recommendations on a facilitator.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Council Member Hall reported on the Buena Vista
Lagoon JPA. The County will need a countywide strategy for effective control to ensure
that the West Nile Virus does not spread to the Lagoon. He also stated that although the
wildlife agencies may have some concerns about the safety of the species which inhabit
the Lagoon, there does not appear to be time for preparation of an Environmental Impact
Report if this imminent threat is to be averted. The City Manager informed Council that
staff has an informed team working on effective control in the Lagoon led by Assistant
City Manager Frank Mannen.
The meeting was adjourned at 1253 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
YJANE MOBALDI
Assistant City Attorney
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