HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-04-03 - MINUTES - STUDY SESSION NOTES (2)City Council Study Session
April 3, 2001
Call To Order: 5:40 p.m.
Roll Call: All Councilmembers were present with the exception of
Councilmember Smyth.
Flag Salute: Was led by Councilmember Kellar
MMI THE BROWNFIELDS PHENOMENA AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR
ADDRESSING THE CITY'S BROWNFIELD - THE PORTA BELLA
SITE — George Caravalho, City Manager, introduced the issue and staff, Jeff
Lambert, Director of Planning & Building Services, and Lisa Hardy (recently
appointed) Senior Planner, who gave an overview of the issue. Handouts
included copies of the slide presentation, a letter from the City Manager of
Chandler, Arizona, and a letter from the Acting City Manager of Hercules,
California. Included in the presentation was a video testimonial by the
Mayor of Glen Cove, New York.
Greg Trimarche, special counsel, presented information on regulatory
cleanup v. brownfield cleanup, problem brownfield sites, the processes for
handling brownfield sites, provisions of the DTSC Enforceable Agreement,
and additional protections that could be negotiated to modify DS 12.
Mayor Weste called for public participation.
Addressing the Council on this item was Connie Worden-Roberta, Jennifer Kilpatrick, Bill
Cooper, Duane Harte, Allan Cameron, and Cam Noltemeyer.
Council questions and concerns: questioning what the status is of the
EIR process; OU7 being of paramount importance; acknowledging that the
property owner has tried to mitigate but it's not enough; needing community
involvement to help determine a plan; requesting info from DTSC on the
status of the NTS property; needing to push for water first before
development.
In response to inquiry from Councilmember Ferry, Dr. Miller, toxicologist from DTSC,
provided information on phased development; that it has been done in California, is
possible for Porta Bella and can be done safely.
Additional Council questions and concerns: the City not being liable for
problems on the property in the future; another developer stepping in should
the current one walk away from the property; the previously approved
specific plan perhaps not being the smartest plan given knowledge known
today; the vision not being there yet for the property.
1
Study Session
April 3, 2001
Additional comments were made by Bill Manetta, various representatives of DTSC and a
representative of RFI.
Carl Newton, City Attorney, commented on liability to the City and indicated
it would be minimal. Any public property owned by the City would be the
City's responsibility. It would be possible to enhance the responsibilities of
the developer with enhancements to the development agreement. Current
law provides some immunity to the City.
George Caravalho, City Manager, indicated he would brief Councilmember
Smyth since he was unable to attend this meeting. An item would be placed
on the April 24, 2001 regular meeting agenda for Council consideration.
There were no additional public comments.
Mayor Weste adjourned the meeting at 8:44 p.m.
Sharon L. Dawson
City Clerk
\O1Apr3ss.dm