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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-10-24Special Meeting Minutes City CounciiVRedevelopment Agency City Of Huntington Beach 4.30 P.M. - Council Chambers Civic Center, 2000 Main Street Huntington Beach, California 92648 Tuesday, October 24, 2000 An audiotape of the 4:30 p.m. portion of this meeting is on file in the Office of the City Clerk. Call to Order Councilmember Julien called the special meetings of the City Council and the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Huntington Beach to order at 4:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Call City Council/Redevelopment Agency Roll Call Present Julien, Sullivan, Green, Dettloff, Bauer Absent Harman, Garofalo Deputy City Clerk Read Call for Special Meeting Councilmember Sullivan expressed his concern as to whether there is a need for this special meeting. City Clerk Announced Late Communications Which Pertain to Items on the Agenda Deputy City Clerk Liz Ehring announced two Late Communications that pertain to the Closed Session Agenda Item: Communication dated October 24, 2000 from Tobie & Gerard Charles relating to the wetlands of Califomia and the decision of the City of Huntington Beach granting a coastal development permit to the Robert L. Mayer Trust to fill approximately 1 acre of wetland. Communication dated October 24, 2000 from Linda A. Konleczny, Heidi Tappe & Dennis Fuson transmitting their support for the preservation of the wetlands. Public Comments (Restricted to Closed Session Agenda Item Only) Garry Brown, member of the Orange County Coastkeepers informed Council that he is one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit. He questioned the reason for the calling of this meeting. Mr. Brown stated his belief that Little Shell can be incorporated into the redevelopment project. Dean Albright distributed a handout dated June 1978 titled Huntington Beach Coastal Study -- Coastal Zone Land -Use Altematives, stating that it had been prepared by Cal State Pomona for the Planning Department. He pointed to a map that designates the wetlands and the beach. (2) October 24, 2000 - Council/Agency Minutes - Page 2 Mr. Albright referred to the third page of the document and spoke regarding peat bogs on Atlanta Avenue. Eileen Murphy spoke in opposition to the filling in of Little Shell. She rebutted what she stated is being asserted by "Koll Mayer" that it is not a salt -water wetland. Ms. Murphy recommended that the hotel embrace this part of the larger Big Shell wetlands with buffers in order to protect and preserve it. Joey Racano voiced his opposition to development that will bulldoze the wetlands. Mr. Racano urged Council to take advantage of a second chance to save the coastal zone. Debbie Cook stated her purpose for speaking was to shed light on the issue per written communication to Planning Director Howard Zelefsky from the Coastal Commission (provided to the Deputy City Clerk for the record subsequent to the meeting). The communication is dated September 12, 2000 and titled Re: Coastal Development Permit 97-15. Ms. Cook stated the gist of the letter relates to the configuration of the property; that according to the Coastal Commission, a final action cannot be taken because it is not sufficiently detailed to make a decision. Discussion was held regarding the communication, during which Councilmembers including Councilmember Dettloff who is also a Coastal Commissioner, stated that they had never received it. Doug Korthof spoke regarding the litigants, and informed Council that he worked with groups including the Sierra Club which he believes would not file a suit unless they are certain to win. He provided the background and history of the Sierra Club referendum. Mr. Korthof informed Council the property is actually three -plus acres of wetlands, and urged Council to follow the law by settling the lawsuit and creating a buffer zone for Little Shell. Bruce Monroe, Sierra Club member furnished information on the Wetlands Recovery Project, stating his concern over urban sprawl and closed beaches due to urban runoff. Mr. Monroe stated that he is leaving his e-mail address with staff, but he does not need feedback from Council if it proceeds with the restoration of Little Shell. John F. Scott, South East Huntington Beach Neighborhood Association, informed Council of their unanimous vote to preserve Little Shell against destruction. Mr. Scott informed Council that the homeowners' association primarily considered the wetlands in general, but a secondary concern of the group is that the proceeds from the assault on Little Shell will be used to take care of other areas of the city rather than for preserving the rest of the wetlands. Jim Martin spoke regarding what he considered to be the monopoly of the Hilton Hotel of 22 acres of land to be used for its development. He described the density of the project that impinges upon the Little Shell, which is a property owned by the citizens. Mr. Martin stated that the private use of public land by the city's favorite developer ignores the Coastal Act. Steve Ray spoke in opposition to the proposed development on Little Shell and urged Council to save the taxpayer's money. Jan Vandersloot informed Council that he is one of the plaintiffs, urging the suspension of any action on the coastal permit due to the irregularities described in the letter from the Coastal Commission to which the speaker, Ms. Debbie Cook referred, and which he stated is a matter of (3) October 24, 2000 - Council/Agency Minutes - Page 3 public knowledge. He reiterated that the configuration, size and status of the property are all in question, and needing resolution. Mr. Vandersloot stated that the item requires a public hearing and not a closed session. Jean Polkow informed Council that she is in the minority in favor of paving over the Little Shell area. She stated her opinion that it is a blight on the city, as can be viewed along Beach Boulevard. Ms. Polkow stated that there are too many groups impeding the progress of a good project, and that Council should allow the developer to proceed. She commended Councilmember Dettloff for her efforts on the Coastal Commission. Ted Crisell rebutted the last speaker, Ms. Polkow's comments that Little Shell is a blighted area, naming several of its amenities including bike paths. He related an incident involving a relative who was working on the preservation of an Indian burial ground against Wal*Mart. Mr. Crisell urged Council support of buffer zones for Little Shell. John Gleed informed Council that he is a visitor traveling as a free-lance photographer, and that his purpose for coming was spurred on by one of the speakers, Mr. Joey Racano's reasoning. Mr. Gleed stated what he considers to be the detrimental effects and unthinkable consequences of destroying Little Shell. He suggested that other places should be chosen on which to build, especially in consideration of the Indian burial place on the grounds. Chuck Scheid referred to the previous speaker, Dr. Vandersloot's comments against the item being agendized in closed session. Mr. Scheid spoke in favor of open government and open meeting sessions. Following public comments restricted to the item to be discussed in closed session, discussion was held relative to the disposition of the Coastal Commission letter which had been written to the Planning Department. Councilmember Sullivan inquired of City Administrator Ray Silver why the public has a copy of the communication and not Council, not even Councilmember Dettloff who is a Coastal Commissioner. Planning Director Howard Zelefsky responded by explaining the context in which the letter was received and that it was not in any way treated in a confidential manner. Councilmember Sullivan spoke regarding broken trust, relaying an encounter with a lobbyist from the Waterfront Hilton, who Councilmember Sullivan stated had misrepresented himself. Discussion ensued relative to Councilmembers revisiting the property. It was mentioned that the acreage had been the source of urban runoff when the Driftwood Mobile Home Park had been there, but that it is presently viable as restored wetlands. Councilmember Sullivan informed Council that he is going to be voting against going into Closed Session. (4) October 24, 2000 - Council/Agency Minutes - Page 4 Motion to Recess to Closed Session — Approved A motion was made by Green, second Dettloff to recess to Closed Session on the following item. The motion carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Julien, Green, Dettloff, Bauer NOES: Sullivan ABSENT: Harman, Garofalo (City Council/RedeNielopment Agency) Closed Session — City Council/Redevelopment Agency pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a) to confer with its Attorney regarding pending litigation which has been initiated formally and to which the City/Redevelopment Agency is a party. The title of the litigation is Bolsa Chica Land Trust v. California Coastal Commission, Orange County Superior Court Case No. OOCCO5991. (120.80/400,50) Reconvene - 6:00 p.m. With No Action to Report Out The Special Meeting of the City Council reconvened and there was no action reported out. Adjournment — City CouncillRedevelopment Agency Councilmember Julien adjourned the special meetings of the City Council and the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Huntington Beach at 6:05 p.m. ATTEST: JSJ CONNIE BROCKWAY City Clerk -Clerk By: Deputy City C erk J5J CONNIE BROCKWAY City Clerk and ex-offcio Clerk of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach and Clerk of the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Huntington Beach, California By: Deputy City Clerk l origiKal ire Y�eci�v�lopnn��i Vault. Cobs CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH 2000 MAIN STREET OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK CONNIE BROCKWAY CITY CLERK CALL FOR SPECIAL MEETING CITY COUNCILIREDEVELOPMENT AGENCY CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2000 Dave Garofalo, Mayor/Chairman Parrs Julien, Council/Agency Member Dave Sullivan, Council/Agency Member Tom Harman, Council/Agency Member Peter Green, Council/Agency Member Shirley Dettloff, Council/Agency Member Ralph Bauer, Council/Agency Member CALIFORNIA 92648 You are hereby notified that a Special Meeting of the Huntington Beach City Council and Redevelopment Agency of the City of Huntington Beach, California, is called for and will be held Tuesday, October 24, 2000 at the hour of 4:30 p.m. at City Hall, 2000 Main Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92648 in the Council Chambers. The meeting will be held for the purpose of allowing additional time to meet in closed session to consider the following item:. (City Council/Redevelopment Agency) Closed Session — City Council/ Redevelopment Agency pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a) to confer with its Attorney regarding pending litigation which has been initiated formally and to which the City/Redevelopment Agency is a party. The title of the litigation is Bolsa Chica Land Trust v. California Coastal Commission, Orange County Superior Court Case No. OOCC05991. (120.80/400.50) Dated: October 20, 2000 ATTEST: City Clerk/CI ayor/C airman hereby certify that I received the above notice, "Call of Special Meeting of the Huntington Beach City Council/Redevelopment Agency," prior to 4:30 p.m. Monday, October 23, 2000. Mayor/Chairman- (Telephone: 794536 52271