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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-08-03; Beach Preservation Commission; Minutes Virtual Meeting Council Chamber 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive Carlsbad, CA 92008 CALL TO ORDER Chair Briggs called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Chair Briggs, Vice Chair Steindlberger, Commissioners Colby, Woolsey, Ingersoll, and Stark Absent: Commissioner Prietto PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE APPROVAL OF MINUTES ACTION: On a motion by Chair Briggs and a second by Commissioner Colby, the minutes of the June 1, 2021 Beach Preservation Commission meeting were approved. AYES: Chair Briggs, Vice Chair Steindlberger, Commissioner Colby NOES: None ABSTAIN: Commissioners Woolsey, Ingersoll, and Stark ABSENT: Commissioner Prietto PRESENTATIONS Commissioner Lisa Stark introduced herself to the commission. She has been a resident of Carlsbad for about 17 years and is a Deputy District Attorney for the County of San Diego. Commissioner Stark has two sons that grew up in Carlsbad and graduated from Carlsbad High School. Her interest in the Carlsbad beaches stems from watching her children grow up on the beach, noticing the dwindling of sand on the beach and learning it was due to erosion. Commissioner Robert Ingersoll has been living in Carlsbad since 1999. Both of his children grew up in Carlsbad and graduated from Carlsbad high schools. His interest in the beach is from spending time with his children at the beach paddle boarding and frequently walking the trails of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon. He would like to make sure these places are available for people and in good condition. CONSENT CALENDAR None. PUBLIC COMMENT None. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS 1. SR # 0803-1 AGUA HEDIONDA LAGOON FOUNDATION ACTIVITIES Emily Watts, Discovery Center Director from the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation introduced the mission for the foundation which is to inspire people through education and outreach to maintain the Agua Hedionda Lagoon as a healthy and accessible watershed. The Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation educates the public through its’ exhibits at the Discovery Center and through proper modeling of environmental stewardship, such as beach and trail Aug. 3, 2021, 4 p.m. BEACH PRESERVATION COMMISSION Minutes cleanup events. Some of the Discovery Center exhibits include native raptors, mastodon fossils, local tidal creatures, bee-aquarium, turtle pond, reptile city, fairyland, and a native plant garden. The Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation hosts various educational programs such as: preschool playdates, after school enrichment, discovery camps, scout badge programs, raptor education and kids club. In her presentation, Ms. Watts stressed the importance of dredging for improved beach ecology and lagoon preservation. Agua Hedionda Lagoon is one of the only lagoons in San Diego County where recreation is allowed, including fishing, boating and paddle boarding. This has not always been the case; there was a time in history when the flow from the ocean to the lagoon was cut off and marine life that was reliant on the sea was no longer able to access it. This caused the lagoon to become a stagnant slough of algae and many marine species in the lagoon disappeared. San Diego Gas & Electric purchased the land on the south shore of the lagoon with the goal of restoring the lagoon and using the water from the lagoon to cool down their engines. In 1952 SDG&E started dredging the lagoon to reopen the connection to the ocean, remove sediment from the lagoon and return the sand to the local beaches. This process returned the habitat of the lagoon back to its original state, which now provides a home to over 70 species of fish that would not otherwise have been able to survive. When the Encina Power Station closed operation, the responsibility for maintenance dredging the lagoon passed to the Poseidon Water desalination plant. The latest Agua Hedionda Lagoon maintenance dredging project (i.e., January to April 2021) returned 300,000 cubic yards of sand to Carlsbad beaches. According to economic reports cited by Ms. Watts, the beaches are Carlsbad’s second biggest tourist attraction - next to Legoland. Vice Chair Steindlberger asked if swimming is allowed in the Agua Hedionda Lagoon and if the area is patrolled. Vice Chair Steindlberger also mentioned in the past she had seen members of Recreation staff at the Bayshore Drive public lagoon access issuing permits. Kyle Lancaster, Parks & Recreation Director, replied that swimming is not allowed; only kayaks, paddleboards and motorized boats in designated areas of the lagoon are allowed. The lagoon is monitored by the Carlsbad Police Department, including Park Rangers. There are no Recreation staff issuing permits at Bayshore Drive as there was not a significant demand. Permits can still be purchased at the Harding Community Center. 2. SR # 0803-2 NORTH BEACH CLEAN-UP EVENT Michael Tully, Park Planner initiated the discussion for planning the beach clean-up event on the city controlled north beach to determine when to proceed with the event. In March 2020, an ad hoc committee was formed to plan a beach cleanup event. It consisted of Chair Briggs, Vice Chair Steindlberger and Commissioner Prietto. Unfortunately, the event was cancelled due to COVID-19. Commissioners wanted to revisit the planning for the event as it was one of the tasks of the Beach Preservation Commission’s annual work plan. The location of the event was determined, with two stations at the city controlled north beach - the Grand Avenue access and the Rue des Chateaux access. There are two reasons for the dual stations, one was greater social distancing in response to COVID-19 and another was to allow participants to either walk the entire stretch of the north beach or to select shorter stretch in the vicinity of the two accesses. Event dates considered: Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021 Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021 Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021 Staff would work with the Communications Department to organize a public outreach for the event, utilizing the city website, social media posts and an e-blast to city volunteers, and produce a press release if necessary. The Commission agreed the Oct. 2, 2021 date was the best option to plan for the event. Chair Briggs asked what triggered the decision to cancel the event last year? Mr. Tully responded the decision to cancel the event came from the San Diego County guidelines for COVID-19. Mr. Lancaster reiterated that the City Manager instructed staff to follow the county guidelines for in person events to be cancelled or postponed. Staff was hopeful that the event could be brought back in late spring or summer of this year. That did not pan out, so staff brought the beach cleanup event for consideration in the fall. However, any event planned currently would still be subject to change or postponement. Commissioner Woolsey asked if the idea is to get lots of participants and whether they need to bring their own supplies. Mr. Tully responded that the city would provide the supplies for the volunteers and the city will pick up the trash after the event. Mr. Lancaster added that although this is a community event, it will be taking place on a limited stretch of beach and a large gathering should be avoided due to COVID-19. Mr. Lancaster also mentioned that it is anticipated staff would set up an informational booth during the event to address the environmental educational component. 3. SR # 0803-3 REVIEW PROGRESS ON COMMISSION’S ANNUAL WORK PLAN The Commissioners reviewed the goals and tasks of their annual work plan, which states the following: 4. Tri-annually report the progress on completing Goals and Tasks of the BPC’s Work Plan. a. Participate in the review of these goals and tasks during an agenda item scheduled every other meeting of the BPC Mr. Tully facilitated the discussion by presenting slides with the goals and tasks for the Commission’s review and comment. G1. Gain a better understanding of local shoreline preservation and beach nourishment projects. • Mr. Tully reminded the Commissioners they all received a beach terminology glossary before the Feb. 2, 2021 meeting and the new Commissioners were provided with this information before the Aug. 3, 2021 meeting. • At the Feb. 2, 2021 Commission Meeting, staff provided a jurisdictional map of the entire Carlsbad shoreline which showed the jurisdiction of the City of Carlsbad, the State of California and other property owners along the shoreline. • Commissioners receive updates regarding upcoming SANDAG Shoreline Preservation Working Group meetings. • At the Feb. 2, 2021 Commission Meeting, Senior Planner Jennifer Jesser gave an update on the draft Local Coastal Program land use plan. G2. Encourage private and public representatives to be engaged and work together on protection and enhancement of local beaches. • Currently Commissioners are working towards organizing a beach cleanup event. • At the June 1, 2021 Commission Meeting, a representative from the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife presented about dredging of the Batiquitos Lagoon. • At today’s Commission Meeting, a representative from the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation presented about its educational program, lagoon dredging and beach preservation. • Staff will reach out to Buena Vista Audubon Society regarding a future presentation on the Buena Vista Lagoon ecology. • Staff provides regular updates to the Commission on behalf of State of California Department of Parks & Recreation. 63. Participate in outreach opportunities related protection and enhancement of local beaches. • Staff have inquired in the community on available educational programs. State of California Department of Parks & Recreation did not continue its program due to COVID-19. Staff have not heard back from Carlsbad High School regarding its program yet. • Next scheduled Tri-Annual Work Plan Update will be Dec. 7, 2021 Vice Chair Steindlberger stated that the Local Coastal Program land use plan has gone to the Planning Commission and asked when it will be presented to the City Council. Mr. Lancaster responded that the Local Coastal Program is scheduled to be presented to the City Council in the fall. Ms. Steindlberger also mentioned that the City of Oceanside planned to put up groins to protect its beaches and asked whether the City of Carlsbad will be commenting on the plan, if it was determined to impact Carlsbad's beaches. Mr. Lancaster responded that staff would continue to monitor the proposed groin project, which is currently in a feasibility study phase. The City of Carlsbad would be involved in the project if it moves to the design development phase and environmental review. Staff would seek direction on providing comments regarding the project via the City Manager's Office. Chair Briggs expressed concern about the pile of cobble rock on the border of Oceanside and Carlsbad and inquired on why it was allowed to be added. Mr. Lancaster asked Mr. Tully to reach out to the City of Oceanside staff to confirm it was natural occurrence. Vice Chair Steindlberger inquired about the cliff erosion south of the Terra mar area. Mr. Lancaster commented the property is owned by the State of California. In the past, the California State Department of Parks & Recreation has held the position to let nature take its course in such matters. Staff was to reach out to the State of California to confirm its position remains unchanged. COMMISSIONER/COMMITTEE REPORTS None. ANNOUNCEMENTS None. AGENDA ITEMS FOR FUTURE COMMISSION MEETING The Commission would like to receive information on a possible linear park along the coastal bluff in the southwest quadrant that was discussed at the City Council Meeting of July 13, 2021. This concept was presented to the City Council as part of a meeting agenda item on 'Options to Preserve Open Space and Recreation in the Southwest Quadrant.' ADJOURNMENT Meeting was adjourned at 5:12 p.m. Char Buckalew Minutes Clerk