HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-02-25 - AGENDA REPORTS - ELSMERE CYN LANDFILL SCV (2)NEW BUSINESS
DATE:
SUBJECT:
DEPARTMENT:
City Manager Approval
Item to be presented by:
George A.' Caravalho
February 25, 1997
STATUS REPORT #8 ON LA COUNTY LANDFILL ISSUES AND THE
PROPOSED ELSMERE CANYON LANDFILL IN THE SCV
City Manager
To keep the City Council and the general public informed on these issues, the City Manager presents
a status report at each City Council meeting.
On Friday, February 14, 1997, staff met in Burbank from 10:00 am. to 2:00 p.m. with the sponsors
and co-sponsors of the UCLA Conference on solid waste. The meeting was well -attended, and
present were representatives from UCLA, County Public Works, County Sanitation Districts, Los
Angeles, Culver City, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and USA Waste. Bonnie Spiesberger, the
proposed conference facilitator, and Paul Brotzman were also in attendance.
After introductions and background, Ms. Spiesberger provided us with an overview of the process
envisioned for the conference. She indicated that approximately 60 selected participants,
representing the many facets of solid waste in Los Angeles County, would be invited. This group
will be broken into smaller work groups throughout the two-day conference to generate full
participation, and the kind of focused discussion needed to surface issues. The small groups will
report back to the full group by conference end, and a report will be prepared.
Though there was some initial skepticism from several of the representatives, staff believes that by
the end of the meeting there was full agreement that the conference will be worthwhile. One issue,
that of providing access to the public, was raised and resolved; members of the public will be
allowed to observe and a public comment period will provided. Other concerns raised were also
satisfactorily addressed.
The group also spent considerable time preparing a draft list of possible conference invitees, a
critically important part of the process. Because the `fust -cut' list of names numbered well over 60,
Continued To: 3- <i - g -
Ms. Spiesberger is developing this list further, and will share it with us within a few days.
Most importantly, staff believes that the meeting was successful in that `ownership" for the
conference was transferred from Santa Clarita to the members of the group. Upon execution of a
three -party Letter of Agreement with the City, UCLA and County Public Works, UCLA staff will
start preparation for the conference in eamest, and the City's role will diminish accordingly; we will
continue, however, to provide guidance and information/support. At this time, we are involved in
working out the budget, funding, schedule, and other smaller details. We will keep you informed
as this project moves forward.
Public Participation
The Elsmere Community Leaders meeting was held on Thursday, February 13, 1997.
Approximately 12 members of the public and staff attended, including Councilmember Klajic. Staff
updated the group on the UCLA Conference, progress on the County's Siting Element, activities of
SLAG, the L.A. County Solid Waste Task Force, Paul Brotzman's meeting with the City of L.A.
Environmental Committee, and other City work efforts.
The group reiterated information received from Councilmember Klajic at the Council meeting of
February 11, 1997, regarding the "tagging" of oak trees in Whitney Canyon, immediately adjacent
to Elsmere Canyon. Staff is continuing to investigate this issue and will report back both to the
Council and the Community Leaders group. The next meeting of the group was set for March 19,
1997.
League of Cities/Los Angeles Division
We have been informed by League staff that a short presentation and discussion of the County Siting
Element has been tentatively agendized for the Los Angeles Division's meeting on March 6, 1997.
We will advise you when that agenda becomes final. City staff is currently preparing a presentation
for that meeting for Councilmember Boyer and/or Councilmember Heidt, as well as for
Councilmember Dennis Washburn of the City of Calabasas.
Other Information
To provide the most current information possible to the Council, an up-to-the-minute status report
may be prepared and presented verbally at the meeting. This report shall be available to the Council
and public in written form from the City Clerk at that time.
Receive and discuss update information, provide guidance, and consider any potential new direction
to staff.
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