City of Santa Monica Task Force on the Environment

Transcription

1 City of Santa Monica Task Force on the Environment Special Meeting Minutes Monday, February 24, :00 p.m. Task Force members in attendance: Bill Selby, Mark Gold, Rob Lempert, Susan Mearns and Erik Neandross Task Force members absent: David Pettit and David Hertz City Staff in attendance: Josephine Miller and Dean Kubani Community Members: Judy Abdo, Suzanne Paulson, Cris Gutierrez, Valerie Griffin, Michael Tarbet, and Katharine King I. Call to Order & Roll Call A special meeting of the Task Force on the Environment was called to order by Chair Gold at 7:00 pm, on Monday, February 24, 2014, at Virginia Avenue Park, with Task Force members David Pettit and David Hertz absent. II. Public Input on Agenda Items No public input was provided at this time. III. Approval of Minutes from December 16, 2013 Special Meeting The Task Force unanimously approved the December 16 th Special Meeting Minutes. IV. Discussion and Recommendations Regarding Air Quality at Edison Language School Mark Gold introduced the item and Suzanne Paulson provided a presentation. Dr. Paulson is an Edison Language Academy parent and UCLA Professor of Atmospheric Chemistry & Director of the Center for Clean Air at the UCLA Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences and Institute of the Environment and Sustainability. She summarized the health impacts of air 1

2 pollutants and discussed results of a recent study assessing air pollutants adjacent to the freeway in Santa Monica. Dr. Paulson also discussed recommendations that she had previously made to the School District s Measure BB Advisory Committee (BBAC) regarding minimizing exposure to outdoor air pollution present in the morning at Edison Language Academy. She recommended 1) Physical Education and play yard hours be scheduled based on air quality readings, and 2) specific improvements be made to the filtering system used at Edison Language Academy. Dean Kubani noted that the Task Force packet included a memo prepared by the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) which sumarizes the District s actions to identify and address air quality concerns at Edison Language Academy. The memo notes that SMMUSD is working with Parsons Environmental Group and Arcadis to plan and conduct air quality monitoring for approximately one year at the school. After the presentation, the Task Force expressed concern regarding the potential air quality issues at both the Edison Language Academy and the future buildings on the Santa Monica High School campus that are adjacent to the freeway, and expressed a desire to assist SMMUSD to determine how to best address them. After discussion, the Task Force on the Environment adopted the following motion for transmittal via a letter from the Task Force Chair to the SMMUSD School Board with copies provided to the City Council. Motion by Chair Mark Gold, seconded by Member Bill Selby The motion was approved by the following roll call vote: Ayes: Chair Mark Gold Member Erik Neandross Member Bill Selby 2

3 Noes: Abstain: Absent: Member Susan Mearns Member Robert Lempert Member David Pettit Member David Hertz Motion: The Santa Monica Task Force on the Environment recommends that the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District include outside technical experts (including Dr. Susan Mearns of the Task Force and Dr. Suzanne Paulson of UCLA) in the review of the proposed air quality monitoring plan at Edison Language Academy to ensure that the plan is adequate to characterize all potential air quality concerns at the school. The Task Force also recommends that SMMUSD identify the measures being taken to ensure that the indoor air quality at Santa Monica High School s new Science and Technology building and existing buildings is safe and healthy for students at the school. V. Discussion and Recommendations Regarding the California Climate Change Exchange Dean Kubani introduced the item and Judy Abdo provided a summary of the locally formed California Climate Change Exchange (CA-CCX) and its first CA-CCX Forum held on October 27, 2013 at the Church in Ocean Park. Task Force member Bill Selby participated on a panel at the first CA-CCX Forum. The CA-CCX requested input from the Task Force to help inform its future role in addressing climate change mitigation and assistance in reviewing the CA-CCX s goals, potential resources and community partners. 3

4 After the summary report, the Task Force discussed public engagement strategies in areas such as 1) a Climate Neutrality timeline and strategy, 2) Water Self Sufficiency by 2020 education and outreach, and 3) Climate Change messaging improved throughout the school district. The Task Force requested on-going updates and notification of future CA- CCX Forums and public engagement. VI. Discussion and Recommendations Regarding Sustainability Bill of Rights Reporting Mark Gold introduced a new agenda item, Sustainability Bill of Rights Reporting. This on-going item will be added to each Task Force agenda in order for members and City staff to discuss potential future sustainability policies or programs necessary to meet the goals of the Sustainable City Plan and the Sustainability Bill of Rights, and to develop any metrics needed to better track the progress in meeting these goals. Following discussion, Dean Kubani recommended that each Task Force member review the Sustainability Bill of Rights in advance of the next meeting in order to prepare for this discussion. VII. Discussion and Recommendations Regarding Santa Monica Airport Susan Mearns introduced the item and provided an update on the City s October 2013 legal filing regarding the airport and the judge s ruling earlier this month. She stated that she will continue to keep the Task Force updated as this case progresses. Dean Kubani noted that a letter had been submitted by community member Michael Brodsky regarding Aviation fuel sales at Santa Monica Municipal Airport that he had requested be transmitted to the Task Force. The Task 4

5 Force acknowledged receipt of the letter without further discussion of the topic. VIII. Discussion and Recommendations Regarding Metropolitan Water District and Local Water Self Reliance Judy Abdo introduced the item and recommended that the Water Advisory Committee commit to regular meetings in order to provide input on the City s efforts to address the drought and on-going recommendations to city staff and City Council on how to accomplish Water Self Sufficiency by She also noted that the MWD water conservation rebate program and public outreach funding had doubled. IX. Discussion and Recommendations Regarding Measure V Mark Gold requested that the quarterly Measure V minutes be provided to the Task Force. City staff agreed to include Measure V minutes in the Task Force packets. X. Setting of Agenda for March 17, 2014 Regular Meeting Discussion and Recommendations Regarding the Sustainability Bill of Rights Reporting Discussion and Recommendations Regarding the 2014 Boards & Commissions Video Report Discussion and Recommendations Regarding Establishing the Rules of Order and Procedure for the Conduct of Task Force on the Environment Meetings XI. Comments and Announcements Bill Selby announced the 2014 Environmental and Urban Issues Lecture Series at Santa Monica College. The four lectures will take place on Tuesdays, March 4 th, April 8 th, May 6 th and May 27 th. 5

6 Josephine Miller provided the Task Force with an invitation to the April 30 th Sustainable Quality Awards (SQA) and noted that 21 SQA applications were submitted. Additionally, she reminded the Task Force members to reflect on the Task Force on the Environment s 2013 successes and 2014 goals in order to prepare for the 2014 Boards & Commissions Video Report. XII. Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 pm with Task Force members David Hertz and David Pettit absent. 6