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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-01-13 - AGENDA REPORTS - ADOPT RESO 98-2 (2)AGENDA REPORT CONSENT CALENDAR City Manager Item to be pre: DATE: January 13, 1998 SUBJECT: RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA SUPPORTING STATE LEGISLATION TO EXPAND THE RIM OF THE VALLEY TRAIL CORRIDOR TO INCLUDE THE AREA PREVIOUSLY EXCLUDED FROM THE CORRIDOR LYING EAST OF HIGHWAY 14, INCLUDING WHITNEY AND ELSMERE CANYONS. RESOLUTION NO. 98-2 DEPARTMENT: City Manager RECOMMENDED ACTION Adopt Resolution No. 98-2 supporting state legislation to expand the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Rim of the Valley Corridor to include Whitney Canyon and Elsmere Canyon. In 1989, the State Legislature passed Assembly Bill 1516 to provide for better coordinated trail and parkland acquisition and development in the Rim of the Valley Corridor. The Rim of the Valley Corridor is a designation by the State of California which encompasses, among other areas, portions of. the San Gabriel and Santa Susana Mountains adjacent to the Santa Clarita Valley. Pursuant to the requirements of the legislation, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancycommissioned a master plan study by Dangermond and Associates that, in addition to other recommendations, urged that the Rim of -the Valley Trail Corridor be expanded to include areas like Whitney and Elsmere Canyons that are a functional part of the ecosystem adjacent to what was then the trail corridor. During the public review process, the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts vigorously objected to the inclusion of the Whitney and Elsmere Canyon areas because of potential impact on the proposed landfill in Elsmere Canyon. Attached you will find a copy of that portion of the minutes of the Conservancy's June 18, 1990 meeting dealing with this issue. Because of the position of the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts and the County's representative on the Conservancy Board, Whitney and Elsmere Canyons were excluded from the corridor boundary. In November, 1996, President Clinton signed into law the "Omnibus. Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996" which among other provisions, prohibits the use of Angeles National Adopted: i —r Ap�, Agenda Item. Forest property as a landfill. The legislation has the practical effect of killing the original 190 - million ton landfill proposal, although Elsmere Canyon remains a viable landfill site according to the Countywide Siting Element, which identifies potential landfill sites in the county. Assemblyman George Runner has met on several occasions with Conservancy staff about revisiting the original consultant's recommendation for inclusion of Whitney and Elsmere Canyons in the Rim of the Valley Trail Corridor. Mr. Runner will be introducing state legislation in early 1998 which will include the two canyons in the Rim of the Valley Corridor. On November 20, 1997, the Santa Clarita Watershed Recreation and Conservation Authority, a joint powers authority established between the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and the City of Santa Clarita, met to discuss this issue. As a result of the testimony given on this subject by Assemblyman Runner and many interested individuals, the Authority voted unanimously to support Assemblyman Runner's proposed effort. Assemblyman Runner has indicated that he would like the City of Santa Clarita to join the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy as a co-sponsor of the bill. Co-sponsorship typically means that the City would aggressively support and lobby legislative committee members, other members of the Legislature and the Administration. It will be appropriate for a Council Member to participate in some of the lobbying activities and to provide committee testimony during hearings on the bill. Finally, any proposed amendments to the bill will be discussed and agreed upon by all co-sponsors and the bill's author, Assemblyman Runner. ►�l�ii �i�[VY��i�I�iii [i7�i 1. Other action, as determined by the City Council. FISCAL IMPACT Approximately $2,000 for travel to Sacramento by one staff member and one City Council Member. These expenses are already allocated in the current City budget. ATTACHMENT Resolution No. 98-2 Excerpt from June 18, 1990, Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Meeting Minutes MPM.grs=c1.297 RESOLUTION NO. 98-2 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA SUPPORTING STATE LEGISLATION TO EXPAND THE RIM OF THE VALLEY TRIAL CORRIDOR TO INCLUDE THE AREA PREVIOUSLY EXCLUDED FROM THE CORRIDOR LYING EAST OF HIGHWAY 14, INCLUDING WHITNEY AND ELSMERE CANYONS WHEREAS, areas of Whitney and Elsmere Canyons were summarily excluded from the original boundaries of the Rim of the Valley Trail corridor established by state legislature in 1989; and WHEREAS, a masterplan study commissioned by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy in 1989, urged that the Rim of the Valley Trail corridor be expanded to include areas like Whitney and Elsmere Canyons as functional components of the eco system adjacent to the existing trail corridor; and WHEREAS, the exclusion of Elsmere and Whitney Canyons from the Rim of the Valley Trail corridor results in a negative impact on the eco system to the surrounding area; and WHEREAS, State Assemblyman George Runner recognizes the environmental and recreational need to include Elsmere and Whitney Canyons in the Rim of the Valley Trial corridor boundaries; and WHEREAS, Assemblyman Runner is interested in sponsoring legislation to include Whitney and Elsmere Canyons in the Rim of the Valley Trail corridor boundary; and WHEREAS, the efforts by Assemblyman Runner are supported by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, the Santa Clarita Watershed Recreation and Conservation Authority, as well as the residents of the Santa Clarita Valley and surrounding communities; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THE CITY COUNCIL support state legislation to expand the Rim of the Valley Trail corridor to include the area previously included from the corridor lying east of Highway 14, including Whitney and Elsmere Canyons. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this day of 19 an 7 ATTEST: CITY CLERK STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) § CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ) I, Sharon L. Dawson, CMC, City Clerk of the City of Santa Clarita, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita at a regular meeting thereof, held on the day of , 19_ by the following vote of Council: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: CITY CLERK REP:cac PRC0t CIL\"w98.2.np MINUTES June Is, 1990 Page 5 CONSERVANCY COMMENTS c Ms. Stevens said that Mr. Calleia was a member of the sub -committee for the Rim of the Valley public hearings and the record should reflect that. Mr.Riley said Assemblyman Katz represented to Assemblywoman Tanner that none of the boundaries would include an proposed landfills. Mr. Rile said he now has questions, proposed Y YP P with the boundary changes, whether we are holding to the intent of Assemblyman Katz' legislation. Executive Director said Assemblyman Katz' legislation did not make the change in the boundary it was Senator Davis', SB 509. There are no landfill sites added in what is being discussed in the staff report. Towsley Canyon site was added by SB 509. Mr. Riley asked if this action is to comply with SB 1516 which is different than Assemblyman Katz represented. Executive Director said Rim of the Valley boundary was modified by SB 509 which includes Towsley Canyon. Rocky Peak, including Blind Canyon, was already included in the original boundary which was drawn in 1982. Half of Elsmere Canyon was included in original boundary and AB 1516 would include all of Elsmere. Mr. Riley what happens if Conservancy doesn't proceed as planned tonight with the June 30 deadline. Attorney General said he would have to check. Executive Director said the BKK proposal area can always be excluded. Mr. Riley said Public Works and Assemblywoman Tanner are still considering Towsley for a proposed landfill site. Ms. Stevens said Towsley has been in our jurisdiction since January due to SB 509. Nothing in this plan affects Towsley either way. She suggests the Executive Director be directed to speak to Assemblymembers Katz and Tanner and get this straightened out and then get back to Mr. Riley and the County. If there was such an agreement between Mr. Katz and Ms. Tanner it should be honored.. Mr. Calleia asked what the effect of excluding or including landfill sites is. Executive Director responded that the effect is an areas where we can expend our funds that affect landfill sites. He said he assumes the Sanitation District is concerned with the potential repetition of the proposed acquisition the Conservancy had last October. They don't want us acquiring in areas where they have proposals. There was discussion of having another meeting within the time frame of the submission of the plan to the legislature, in order to resolve the boundary variations. Ms. Skei said she would not recommend having another meeting on this issue but would consider a motion to adopt the rim study and move the boundary.line down from the Elsmere area. She asked Mr. Riley if the Sanitation District just informed him of this. He said yes. Mr. Calleia asked where the boundary is in relation to Elsmere. Executive Director showed the areas on the map. Mr. Calleia asked if it is acceptable to accommodate the County by trading a link right there and adopting the plan tonight. Ms. Stevens said it is acceptable to the Chair if it is to the County's representative. There have been four public hearings on this plan and there has not been any language in the bill that deals MINUTES June 18.� 1990 Page 7 Al Rosen presented a film on the Las Llajas and Rocky Peak areas. He explained how the fires affected this area and gave some background on the road used for the film 'Burma Road" which is in this area. The Chair called the meeting back to order at 9:50. p.m. [Further discussion on Item 5, Rim of the Valley Trail Corridor] Executive Director said based on the discussion with Mr. Riley, this would be in the form of an empowerment to the General. Manager of the County Sanitation District to take an eraser to the Rim of the Valley plan those things that would impact on an existing or proposed landfill. This would be a jurisdictional question since no one has the power but the Legislature to adjust the plan after adoption. Staff will meet with the Sanitation District at a meeting to be set up by Mr. Riley. The language will be as follows: The General Manager of Los Angeles County Sanitation District may delete any boundary or trail segment added by this plan that he determines would impact on a landfill, existing or proposed, or the City and. County of Los Angeles JPA regarding Elsmere Canyon. Ms. Stevens said the 1983 legislation that created the Rim of the'Valley Trail Corridor, and SB 509 are already law. Mr. Gertmenian asked if we are trying to keep out of any negotiations that City and County have that has anything to do with dumps. The Executive Director said what we are trying to do is not embroil the plan with concerns of the Sanitation District that trails would be used against them by giving them the authority to erase those trails they don't like. It is a drastic power to give to an unelected official but we don't know how to resolve it since Mr. Riley and Mr. Calleia can't be available to meet on Friday. This is a grossly imperfect solution. Mr. Gackenbach asked if the Board can give the Executive Director the power to negotiate this with the General Manager. The Executive Director said that if we can say to the legislature that we gave the General Manager an eraser and he didn't use it, then we have a good argument before the legislature if he tries to tube us. Mr. Calleia said the Board can footnote or caveat what is adopted saying that the Conservancy relinquishes jurisdiction over any area that the Sanitation District may seek. Executive Director said we don't yet know their full concerns. Mr. Calleia said be understands they want to be outside our zone so we can't purchase land in any areas they have under consideration. He asked if saying that the Conservancy will never establish by owning, or by Iess than fee ownership, some trail within the immediate environs of Elsmere would satisfy Mr. Riley. _ Mr. Riley said he is only addressing the Rim of the Valley Trail at this point. Executive Director said Towsley Canyon could be affected by saying no trails around Towsley. Mr. Calleia said we are giving up' what Senator Davis gave us. Executive Director said the Conservancy can't change that which was amended under the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Act. The trail in Towsley could be excised though. Ms. Stevens said site is prepared for that eraser on Elsmere but not on trails and land within our jurisdiction already. She requested that "where an existing boundary is proposed to be changed" be added to the wording. MINUTES June 18,..1990 Page 9 Mr. Hunt said the Moorpark City Council has not yet taken a position on boundary revisions. Mr. Green said the County seems to want to continue this item. He suggests we postpone it until June 29, 1990. Executive Director stated that without a voting representative of the County, there may be a negative reaction from them toward us. He urges acceptance of the modification. The choice is to either lose some with an eraser or lose it all if it fails in the Legislature. We seem to have the implicit good will of Mr. Riley to bring the parties .together to resolve this. Ms. Skei moved adoption of the Master Plan with the proviso as suggested by the Executive Director "to delete or modify by County Sanitation District the trails or boundaries", seconded by Mr. Calleia. The following resolution was adopted by a vote of 6 yes and 0 no. That the Rim of the Valley Master Plan prepared pursuant to AB 1516, is adopted with the proviso that- the County Sanitation District can modify new trails or boundaries they chose to where an existing boundary is proposed to be changed. (Full text of the resolution is on file with the Conservancy) 9. Resolution authorizing the .acquisition by Mountains Recreation and Conservation Anthority of the Holland property, Santa ClarIta Woodlands. Executive Director stated that this property gives us access to Rice, East and Learning Canyons. He showed this parcel on the map in relation to our other properties in the area. This is commercially zoned property which accounts for its cost. There is an ample staging area for an equestrian center and the corrals and stables are already there. The property farther back is less costly but it is wiser to put our money into the access points first and then acquire the big landowner's parcels down the road. The Chair opened the public hearing. Mr. Sigworth asked the price of the Holland property. The Chair said it is $2.8 million. ADVISORY COMMITTEE COMMENTS Dave Brown said the properties east of this parcel are unique. He said he understands the strategy but the land is expensive and suggests that we keep all options open with respect to future C disposition. _ Mr. Green said. the money issue is deceptive in light of the strategic importance of the acquisition. He supports it. Mr. Berger asked if there are any easements through the property. . Executive Director said there are utility easements but no road access easement. On motion of Mr. Green, seconded by Mr. Berger, the Advisory Committee recommended adoption of the staff recommendation. CONSERVANCY COMMENTS On motion of Ms. Skei, seconded by Mr. Calleia, discussion continued.