HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-01-28 - RESOLUTIONS - WHITTAKER BERMITE CLEANUP (2)RESOLUTION NO. 03-20
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUE OF
SUBPOENAS FOR EVIDENCE OR TESTIMONY RELATED TO THE
WHITTAKER-BERMITE CLEANUP PROJECT
WHEREAS, the 988.6 -acre property known as the former Whittaker-Bermite site
("Site"), located in the City of Santa Clarita, is contaminated with various contaminants,
including perchlorate. The contaminants have impacted both soil and groundwater
beneath the Site. Investigations of the environmental condition of the Site have been
ongoing since the mid-1980s, under the direction of the California Department of Toxic
Substances Control ("DTSC"); and
WHEREAS, the responsible parties have been identified by DTSC that will be
required to address the investigation and remediation at the Site; and
WHEREAS, five drinking water wells within the City of Santa Clarita have been
closed due to detections of perchlorate above acceptable levels and run-off from the Site is
not controlled, such that perchlorate and other contaminants may be migrating off the Site
to other properties, including the City's Metrolink Station; and
WHEREAS, as a result of these investigations and the discovery of the
contamination, the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita has grown increasingly
concerned about the protection of public health, safety, welfare, the environmental and
natural resources within the jurisdiction of the City of Santa Clarita, and the preservation
and restoration of property values within the City of Santa Clarita.
WHEREAS, in March 2002, the City Council formed the Whittaker-Bermite City
Council Subcommittee to monitor the clean up efforts for the Whittaker-Bermite property.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Santa
Clarita, California, does hereby determine and find as follows:
SECTION 1. This Resolution is hereby adopted by the City Council to authorize the
Subcommittee of the City Council consisting of two City Councibnembers to continue to
work with staff and outside experts to investigate the contamination at and eiiianating
from the Site and periodically report back to the City Council. The Subcommittee's
investigation work shall include:
a. Assess, among other things, the nature and source of any contamination at and
emanating from the Site;
._ b. Investigate potential methods for remediating such contamination;
Resolution No. 03-20
Page 2
c. Investigate potential avenues to recover any funds expended by the City of Santa
Clarita relating to the contamination at the Site, including environmental and
liability policies issued to responsible parties;
d. Investigate the adequacy and sufficiency of regulatory schemes at the municipal,
state and federal levels;
e. Investigate the adequacy and sufficiency of liability schemes and financial
responsibility requirements at the municipal, state, and federal levels; and
f. Assess the adequacy, sufficiency, and limitations of financial responsibility
mechanisms, including without limitation, liability insurance and other
mechanisms in the private and commercial sector of the community.
SECTION 2. In order to assist the City Council in the conduct of its investigation,
the Subcommittee may, from time to time, recommend that the City Council issue
subpoenas requiring attendance of witnesses or production of books or other documents for
evidence or testimony in any action or proceeding pending before the City Council pursuant
to California Government Code §37104. On such a recommendation, the City Council may
issue any such subpoenas without further action.
SECTION 3. The City Clerk shall certify the adoption of this Resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 28th day of January, 2003.
ATTEST:
Jj _
CITY CLERK
Resolution No. 03-20
Page 3
-- STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss.
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 28th day of January, 2003, by the
following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Weste, Ferry, McLean, Kellar, Smyth
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
CITY CLERK
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