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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDissolution of the Ad Hoc Coastal Area Odors Committee City of Huntington Beach File #: 18-227 MEETING DATE: 8/6/2018 REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members SUBMITTED BY: Fred A. Wilson, City Manager PREPARED BY: Antonia Graham, Assistant to the City Manager Subject: Dissolution of the Ad Hoc Coastal Area Odors Committee Statement of Issue: On October 2, 2017, City Council Member Billy O'Connell introduced a Council Member item to create an Ad Hoc Coastal Area Odors Committee. The Committee was tasked with working with key stakeholders to formulate a work plan for the Council's further review and action to: 1) identify the material/substance causing the odor(s); 2) identify the source; 3) identify the responsible jurisdiction; 4) identify a remedy; and, 5) in cooperation with other agencies, take steps to achieve the objectives no later than June 1, 2018. This Council Action provides an update of activities to date and recommends to dissolve the Ad Hoc Committee until further authorized by City Council. Financial Impact: There is no fiscal impact. Recommended Action: Dissolve the Ad Hoc Committee until further authorized by the City Council. Alternative Action(s): Do not dissolve the Ad Hoc Committee and direct staff accordingly. Analysis: Throughout 2017, the City began receiving an increase in complaint calls in regards to an unknown coastal odor. Staff directed these calls to the Air Quality Management District (AQMD) as they have jurisdiction over these odor "events" and the Fire Department worked collaboratively with the AQMD to collect samples on behalf of the AQMD. In February 2017, City staff began working collaboratively in a working group focused on finding the source of these fleeting coastal area odors. This group was comprised of the cities of Long Beach, Seal Beach, and Garden Grove, in addition to private companies (e.g. Southern Califomia Gas Company, California Resources Corporation, etc.). In October, 2017 the City Council Ad Hoc Committee (Mayor Posey, Councilmembers Brendan and O'Connell) was tasked with identifying the responsible jurisdiction and remedy. The Committee met four City of Huntington Beach Page 1 of 2 Printed on 8/1/2018 povve; r Leaistar,' File #: 18-227 MEETING DATE: 8/6/2018 times. Representatives from the AQMD were also in attendance to provide updates on their ongoing investigation and details on the samples collected during these "events." In addition to these Committee meetings, City Council and City staff met with the AQMD at their Diamond Bar headquarters to discuss the ongoing investigation. At this meeting, it was made clear to the City that these odors were not coming from stationary sources. The jurisdiction of the AQMD is to regulate emissions from stationary sources and not non-stationary sources (e.g. vessels, boats, etc.) that reside off of the coast of Huntington Beach. The AQMD recommended to the City that we engage federal authorities who have the appropriate jurisdiction. Subsequently, staff met with Congressman Rohrabacher's office to engage the assistance of the Coast Guard and the Environmental Protection Agency. In May 2018, Council Member Brenden traveled to Washington D.C. and met with the Environmental Protection Agency to discuss these odor issues. Upon his return, the Committee along with staff, the AQMD, and Congressman Rohrabacher's Office met with the United States Coast Guard to discuss their involvement in this investigation since they have jurisdiction over non-stationary sources. The odor complaints have since decreased and because the City has no jurisdiction over the potential offshore sources of the odor, it is recommended that the Ad Hoc Committee be dissolved until further authorized by the City Council. Should these odor complaints resume, staff will continue to direct complaints to the Air Quality Management District, work collaboratively with the AQMD to collect samples, and work with our federal representatives to assist as needed. Environmental Status: Not Applicable Strategic Plan Goal: Improve quality of life Attachment(s): None City of Huntington Beach Page 2 of 2 Printed on 8/1/2018 potr<<er Lau T11 8/6/za18 DISSOLUTION OFTHE AD HOC COASTAL AREA • • ' COMMITTEE August 6, 2018 City Council Meeting Administrative Item#18-227 Background • On October 2, 2017,Council Member O'Connell introduced a Council Member item to create an Ad Hoc Coastal Area Odors Committee. • The creation of this Committee was in response to an increase in odor complaints from residents about an unknown odor. • The Committee was tasked with formulating a work plan to: • Identify the material/substance causing the odor(s) • Identify the source • Identify the responsible jurisdiction • Identify a remedy • Cooperate with other agencies to achieve the aforementioned objectives • Committee end date of June 2oi8 COMMUNICATION , @AV Data: 1 Ac.nd.hwn No.: y (,a-2Q 7 J 8/6/2018 Odor Response • All odor complaints were directed to the AQMD as they have jurisdiction over odors emanating from stationary sources. • The AQMD initiated an investigation along with the assistance of the HBFD. • In February 203.7, Southern California Gas Company created a Working Group along with private companies and the cities of HB, Seal Beach,Garden Grove, and Long Beach to investigate the source of the odors in a collaborative manner. • The HBFD began collecting odor samples on behalf of the AQMD using suma canisters and tedlar bags. Ad Hoc Committee • The Committee met four times along with AQMD staff. Y • In addition to these meetings,the Committee members met with the AQMD at their headquarters to discuss their ongoing investigation. • AQMD recommended the City engage federal authorities since the odors were coming from non- stationary sources. 2 1 8/6/2018 Recommendations Odor Mill! ased—only iz complaints in the past 6 months. i The City has nojurisdiction overthe potential offshore sources ofthese odors. Should these odor complaints resume,staff will continue to direct complaints to the AOMD,work collaboratively to collect samples,and will continue to work with our federal representatives toassist as needed. It is Irl that the City Council dissolve the Ad Hoc Committee.