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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-06-01; Beach Preservation Commission; MinutesM I N U T E S Minutes of: BEACH PRESERVATION COMMISSION Time of Meeting: 4:00 p.m. Date of Meeting: June 1, 2021 Place of Meeting: Zoom Meeting CALL TO ORDER Chair Briggs called the meeting to order at 4:10 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Chair Briggs, Vice Chair Steindlberger, Commissioners Prietto and Colby. Absent: Commissioner O’Malley, Bradley, and Woolsey. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE APPROVAL OF MINUTES ACTION: On a motion by Commissioner Prietto and a second by Vice Chair Steindlberger, the minutes of the April 6, 2021 Beach Preservation Commission meeting were approved. AYES: Chair Briggs, Vice Chair Steindlberger, Commissioners Prietto and Colby. NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: Commissioner O’Malley, Bradley, and Woolsey. PRESENTATIONS None CONSENT CALENDAR None PUBLIC COMMENT None DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS 1. SR # 0601-1 BATIQUITOS LAGOON FOUNDATION ACTIVIES Deb Mossa, Vice President of the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation and Gabriel Penaflor, Environmental Scientist from California Department of Fish and Wildlife provided an update on the activities of the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife at the Batiquitos Lagoon, including dredging cycles and sand replenishment projects on South Ponto State Beach. Ms. Mossa began with the origin of the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation, which was formed by residents in 1985 out of concern for the stagnant water condition in the lagoon. The Foundation’s mission is to preserve, protect and enhance the lagoon. Ms. Mosa explained that in its early stages, the lagoon formed a big open bay, which through development over time and a drop of the sea level, became an estuary. Tidal influence was diminished and the lagoon became stagnant. Fish populations were reduced to five species and endangered bird species such as least terns, snowy plovers and ridgeways started to disappear. In 1980, mitigation funds became available through the Port of Los Angeles and in 1984 the Batiquitos Lagoon was selected to be restored with these mitigation funds. The $55 million project started in 1994 and was successfully completed in 1997. Since then, maintenance dredging cycles have assured that the lagoon is open to tidal flushing. Mr. Penaflor stated that approximately 50,000 cubic yards of sand are washed back into the lagoon naturally each year. Approximately 108,000 cubic yards of sand was removed from the lagoon in November 2011 and 114,52 cubic yards of sand was removed from the lagoon in November 2019, as the result of maintenance dredging projects. The dredged sand was placed on South Ponto State Beach in a retention basin. Future dredging projects are planned in approximate 3-year cycles and tentatively scheduled for November 2022, November 2025 and November 2028. Mr. Penaflor also described how the Batiquitos Lagoon restoration project helped to re-establish seabird populations at the lagoon. As part of the dredging effort, the lagoon the sand removed from the eastern, central, and western basins was used to create five distinct least tern nesting sites in the central basin. Thanks to the increased tidal flushing, the project was a success, with over 65 species of fish and 200 plus species of avian fauna observed at the lagoon today. Vice Chair Steindlberger asked if the migrating birds are part of the Pacific Flyway migratory pattern. Mr. Penaflor confirmed that is the case, adding the migrating birds were included in the 200 plus bird species count. Vice Chair Steindlberger also asked if the current funding was coming from the Port of Los Angeles mitigation project. Mr. Penaflor confirmed that is the case and stated the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife currently manage the received funds and anticipate the final installment of a grant from the Port of Los Angeles in 2027. Prompted by Chair Briggs, Mr. Penaflor stated that the current cost of a dredging cycle is around 1.4 million dollars. 2. SR # 0601-2 NORTH BEACH CLEAN-UP EVENT The commission agreed to continue this item to the next scheduled Beach Preservation Commission Meeting on Aug. 3, 2021. Approved 4-0-0-3 3. SR # 0601-3 CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION ACTIVITIES Michael Tully, Parks Planner reported on the activities of the California Department of Parks & Recreation along the Carlsbad coastline, on behalf of Sean Homer, San Diego Coast District Superintendent. • The dredging project at the Agua Hedionda Lagoon has been completed, all equipment and laydown areas have been demobilized and the volleyball courts have been reestablished south of the warm water jetty. • Volleyball courts at the Carlsbad State Beach are open on a limited basis for youth day camps and single household/family play. • Habitat restoration is in progress on the bluffs at the South Carlsbad State Beach. • The South Carlsbad State Beach Campground is open and booking up for the summer. • There is currently no tide pool educational programming due to public health guidelines and there is no schedule for future educational events. • Dogs are currently not allowed on state beaches; this issue continues to be a challenge at the Terramar Beach, which is not a state beach. There is a continued effort through social media, in regards to state beaches, to increase social awareness and provide greater public education with some law enforcement presence. Chair Briggs asked if the Volleyball Club still has exclusive use of the South Ponto Beach. Kyle Lancaster, Parks & Recreation Director, stated that the City of Carlsbad, Parks & Recreation Department was given direction from the City Council to prepare a bid for submittal, if the volleyball concession were to be advertised by the state, but the city has not been advised it has been advertised. Commissioner Prietto brought up that no lifeguards or law enforcement are enforcing the no dog regulations at the city’s north beach. Mr. Lancaster stated that he collaborates with Carlsbad Police Department about enforcing no dog regulations on the north beach and assured he would relay Mr. Prietto’s request for more enforcement. COMMISSIONER/COMMITTEE REPORTS None ANNOUNCEMENTS City staff added a link to previous meeting videos on the Beach Preservation Commission Webpage. AGENDA ITEMS FOR FUTURE COMMISSION MEETING a. Discussion on selecting a date for the Commission/staff planned northern beach clean-up event ADJOURNMENT ACTION: On a motion by Commissioner Colby and a second by Vice Chair Steindlberger, the meeting was adjourned at 4:40 p.m. The next meeting of the Beach Preservation Commission will be Aug. 3, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. AYES: Chair Briggs, Vice Chair Steindlberger, Commissioners Prietto and Colby NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: Commissioners O’Malley, Bradley, and Woolsey Respectfully submitted, Adriana Alvarez Minutes Clerk