City of Santa Monica Task Force on the Environment Regular Meeting Minutes Monday, August 20, :00 p.m.

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1 City of Santa Monica Task Force on the Environment Regular Meeting Minutes Monday, August 20, :00 p.m. Task Force members in attendance: Mark Gold, Garen Baghdasarian, Erik Neandross and Robert Lempert Task Force members absent: Susan Mearns, David Hertz and David Pettit City Staff in attendance: Dean Kubani, Shannon Parry, Amanda Grossman, Garrett Wong, Selim Eren, Karina Sandique, Tom Fleming Community Members in attendance: Catherine Eldridge, Jerry Rubin, Marissa Rubin, Judy Abdo, Cris Gutierrez, Talia Tinari, Harvey Eder, Luke Midrina, Pieter Severynen I. Call to Order & Roll Call A regular meeting of the Task Force on the Environment was called to order by Task Force Chair Mark Gold at 7:09 pm, on Monday, August 20, 2018 at Virginia Avenue Park. II. Public Input on Agenda Items Catherine Eldridge requested future agenda item on wildfire adaptation and the impacts on water resources. III. Approval of Minutes from the June 18, 2018 Special Meeting The Task Force unanimously approved the June 18, 2018 Special Meeting Minutes. IV. General Discussion and Possible Action Regarding a Possible Ordinance Protecting Trees on Private Property 1

2 Jerry Rubin introduced a proposed ordinance protecting trees on private property. Community members highlighted important social, economic, and environmental benefits of trees. Task Force members identified additional stakeholders whose input is necessary to discuss a possible ordinance. The City s Urban Forester Matthew Wells will be presenting at the next Task Force on the Environment meeting. V. Updates on the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project (SWIP) Selim Eren provided an update on the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project. The project will add to the City s groundwater supply. Staff is going to City Council on August 28, 2018 requesting to award Design-Build to Arcadis and PACE. Design will begin in September. Task Force members provided feedback for the replacement of the solar port and electric vehicle chargers at the Civic Center parking lot. The current solar port and electric vehicle chargers will be demolished as part of the SWIP construction. After discussion, The Task Force on the Environment adopted the following motion: Motion by Task Force Member Robert Lempert, seconded by Task Force Motion: The City of Santa Monica Task Force on the Environment recommends the subcommittee review the Sustainable Water Master Plan in advance of the item going to City Council. The subcommittee consists of Mark Gold and Robert Lempert. The motion was approved by the following roll call vote: Ayes: Chair Mark Gold 2

3 Member Garen Baghdasarian Member Rob Lempert Noes: None Abstain: None Absent: Susan Mearns, David Pettit, David Hertz VI. Presentation, Discussion, and Possible Action Regarding Water Neutrality Ordinance Modification Karina Sandique presented staff recommendations for modifying the Water Neutrality Ordinance in order to prevent loopholes, require additional projects to adhere to the Water Neutrality requirements and further reduce additional water demand from new construction projects. There will be two stakeholder meetings in September. This item will return to the Task Force in October. Staff will be presenting the modifications to Council in late Fall or early Winter. VII. Presentation, Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Community Choice Aggregation Default Pricing Garrett Wong presented on the Community Choice Aggregation options for default pricing. Service is anticipated to launch February Staff recommends setting the default prices for Santa Monica customers to 100 percent renewable energy. While the rates may be higher than current energy utility customer rates, this option will have the most environmental benefits. After discussion, The Task Force on the Environment adopted the following motion: 3

4 Motion by Task Force Chair Mark Gold, seconded by Task Force Motion: The City of Santa Monica Task Force on the Environment supports staff recommendations for default rates set at 100 percent renewable energy and recommends an effective outreach effort to the entire Santa Monica community as part of this transition. The motion was approved by the following roll call vote: Ayes: Chair Mark Gold Member Garen Baghdasarian Member Rob Lempert Noes: None Abstain: None Absent: Susan Mearns, David Pettit, David Hertz VIII. Updates on the Electric Vehicle Action Plan Judy Abdo provided an update on the Electric Vehicle Subcommittee. The Subcommittee is discussing the ordinance regarding park closure hours and making the EV chargers in park parking lots accessible during closed park hours. IX. Updates Regarding Measure V Amanda Grossman provided an update on Measure V. Council appointed two new members to the Measure V Oversight Committee on August 14, 2018 Council Meeting. Debbie Harris and Vanessa L. Meier were appointed to serve on the Committee. X. Updates Regarding Santa Monica Airport 4

5 No updates were provided at this time. XI. Updates Regarding the Metropolitan Water District Judy Abdo and Mark Gold provided an update on the Metropolitan Water District. The Communications and Legislation Committee is conducting a series of meetings and discussing whether to support or oppose the Calvert Rider Budget Bill. XII. XIII. Setting of Agenda for September 17, 2018 Regular Meeting Private Tree Ordinance Food Ware/Polystyrene Update Sustainable Water Master Plan Comments and Announcements There were no comments or announcements. XIV. Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 9:13 pm. 5