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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/11/2005 CALLED TO ORDER ATTENDANCE MINUTES OF THE FIRST MEETING OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA SANTA ANA RIVER TASK FORCE OCTOBER 11, 2005 SANTA ANA POLICE DEPARTMENT COMMUNITY ROOM 60 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA 3:23 P.M. TASK FORCE MEMBERS Present: FRANK ACOSTA, JOCELYN P. ANDREWS, STEPHANIE BARGER, JIM DONOVAN, STEVE EATON, JUAN GONZALEZ, STEPHEN HART, CECILIA P. IGLESIAS, CHANDRA JOHANNESSON, JERRY KING, PATRICIA A. MICHEL, BARBARA L. MUIRHEAD, MARY ANNE SKORPANICH, JULIE STROUD, KEVIN THOMAS, DICK ZEMBAL MEMBERS Absent: JUDD GUICE, JEANNIE KIM-HAN, KEN MORRIS, CAL RIETZEL, NAEEM SIDDIQUI, GARY WOOD STAFF Present: SOURI AMIRANI, DAN BOTT, KEVIN EATON, MARVIN ELLENBECKER, PATRICK MITCHELL, GERARDO MOUET, RON ONO, DOLORES RAMOS, MICHAEL VIGLlOTTA ELECTED OFFICIALS Present: SUPERVISOR LOU CORREA, COUNCILMEMBER MIKE GARCIA MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC Present: JAMES CAMPBELL, JEFF DICKMAN, LEAH FRASER, PHILIP CHINN, STEVE GIBSON PAT MCGUIGAN, STEVE MCGUIGAN, RICKY RAMOS, ROBERT STAPLES, LANCE M. NATSUHARA, GREG WOODSIDE, CHERYL BROTHERS FACILITATOR: STEVE PONTELL SANTA ANA RIVER TASK FORCE MINUTES 1 OCTOBER 11, 2005 BUSINESS CALENDAR 1. INTRODUCTION OF TASK FORCE MEMBERS AND PARTICIPANTS Facilitator Steve PonTel1 introduced himself and led introductions of Task Force members, staff and public present. 2. WELCOME Councilmember Mike Garcia welcomed everyone and thanked them for attending on behalf of the Santa Ana City Council. Councilmember Garcia shared background information on the City Council's interest in the naturalization of the Santa Ana River and the creation of Task Force, and gave a PowerPoint presentation highlighting various sections of the Santa Ana River in Santa Ana and Orange County. D.P. Meyers of the Wildiands Conservancy made a brief presentation regarding the Santa Ana and projects along the River projects that are in progress. He also shared information regarding the river plans of the Upper Santa Ana River Conservancy and the City of Riverside. Supervisor Correa made a brief presentation regarding his attempts to create a Santa Ana River Conservancy and his vision for the Santa Ana River. Supervisor Lou Correa introduced Jeff Dickman with County of Orange Resources and Development Management Department to make a presentation regarding the Santa Ana River Traii and Bikeway System. The presentation highlighted some of the projects completed along the trail, as well as potential bikeway linkages. A video segment of Mayor Pulido's support of the Santa Ana River Restoration, and the formation of the Santa Ana River Task Force presented althe May 2, 2005 Council Meeting was shared with the Task Force. Steve PonTeli emphasized that the goal of the Task Force is to identify what kinds of actions, vision, and programs the group would like to see implemented along the River. Executive Director Gerardo Mouet continued by stating that the input from the group would be used to write a vision plan, which would then be sent back to Council to approve. The completed Santa Ana River Task Force vision document will be used to approach funding sources, and as a means of generating interest in the Santa Ana River. Riverview Neighborhood Association representative Julie Stroud asked whether this effort would only create a wish list of possible improvements and funding sources. Steve PonTell clarified that the groups task to generate the vision and the steps to reach it, which would then trigger funding priorities. SANTA ANA RIVER TASK FORCE MINUTES 2 OCTOBER 11, 2005 Barbara Muirhead raised concerns regarding funds for rnaintenance of any cornpleted projects. Steve PonTell suggested that rnaintenance issues could be incorporated into the resulting documents to ensure protection. The Facilitator requested members of the public to introduce themselves and their affiliation: . James Campbell, County of Orange . Leah Fraser, Latino Health Access · Philip Chinn, Morrison Park Neighborhood · Pat McGuigan, Riverview West Neighborhood Association . Steve McGuigan, Riverview West Neighborhood Association . Steve Gibson, President of Environment, Science, and Art, Inc. . Robert Staples, City of Costa Mesa . Lance M. Natsuhara, County of Orange . Greg Woodside, Orange County Water District . Ricky Ramos, City of Huntington Beach . Jeff Dickman, County of Orange County . Cheryl Brothers, Councilmember, City of Fountain Valley 3. EXERCISE - WHO ARE THE SANTA ANA RIVER STAKEHOLDERS? Steve PonTell led the group in a brainstorming exercise to identify stakeholders of the Santa Ana River. Stakeholders Organizations and interests identified were: . Water Districts . Businesses along the River and their . Labor Unions employees . Media . Orange County Natural History . Law Enforcement Museum . Youth Organizations . Friends of Harbors, Beaches and . Public Health Organizations Parks . Neighboring Cities . Non-Profit and Social Service . Recreational Businesses Organizations . Chamber of Commerce . Educational organizations such as . Tourist Organizations Discovery Center Research Institutions . Cyclists, Joggers, and other . . Property Owners recreational users of the River Transportation Organizations . Private & Public Institutions / . . Environmental Organizations Mobile Homes, etc. Consulting Organizations . Regulatory Agencies such as . Vector Control and Flood Control . Service and Faith Based organizations SANTA ANA RIVER TASK FORCE MINUTES 3 OCTOBER 11, 2005 4. BRAINSTORM EXERCISE Steve PonTellled the group in a brainstorming exercise to identify goals for the Santa Ana River Task Force Report. The Santa Ana River Task Force vision is to create a comprehensive planning document that: . Includes an assessment of opportunities and constraints: land acquisition, neighborhood needs, economic & recreationai opportunities, habitat, and water quality . Includes acquisition, maintenance, and preservation plans . Identifies resources . Maps of property boundaries, zoning, and land use . Document to be used as a tool for outreach . Document to serve as a guide for future land use City Attorney Mike Vigliotta explained that as the Santa Ana River Task Force is an appointed body, the meeting is subject to the Brown Act, and that public comments must be held until the appropriate section of the meeting. Steve PonTell emphasized that any members of the Task Force can obtain public input on their own outside of the meeting, and that all meetings will have a public comment section. Julie Stroud asked why Riverview West Neighborhood did not have a representative appointed to the Task Force. Administrative Services Manager Ron Ono explained that applications were sent out to various agencies and neighborhood associations adjacent to the river that might be interested in participating, but many simply did not respond. The appointed Task Force consists of those who responded. Stephanie Barger asked much of the assessment of opportunities along the River had been completed Ron Ono responded that opportunities still are available along the Santa Ana River. Staff has identified government owned properties along the River to examine the possibility of entering into joint use agreements along the river. Jerry King of EMA, Inc. suggested that outreach could be done through the existing newsletters of the local Neighborhood Associations. Julie Stroud stated that Com-Link is a possible means of communication and invited Jeff Dickman to make a presentation regarding visions for the Santa Ana River. SANTA ANA RIVER TASK FORCE MINUTES 4 OCTOBER 11, 2005 The group's goals for the Santa Ana River include: . Identification of opportune areas for implementation and land acquisition . Creation and/or enhancement of recreational opportunities such as biking, fishing, running, even rafting . Creation, restoration and/or enhancement of habitat, open space, pocket parks; create connectivity between open spaces . Selling of goals for water quality and ground water replenishment . Maintenance of Flood Control Protection . Goals for educating the Public to reconnect to River and promote use of the River as a non-vehicle transportation corridor . Creation of trail linkages & staging areas to increase public access . Expansion of concessions to increase recreational opportunities . Increase use of river as a non-motor transportation system (trails) . Enhancement of the multiple uses of the River trail . Enhance Education Opportunities . River front beautification, while protecting privacy, safety and aesthetics . Creation and enhancement of tourism opportunities . Seek innovative methods to achieve goals of plan . Improve the quality of life for the City and its residents . Improve property values and image of Santa Ana . Break Down River as Divider, . Use it to link to other Cities . Ensure maintenance of improvements . Provide a balance between recreation, restoration, and flood protection Jerry King suggested that the group consider the health aspects of the River as a treatments system that improves water quality will also allow contact with the water, and that that the group will need to decide what level of water quality should be maintained. Ron Ono reminded the group that the flood control purpose of the River will also need to be maintained as we proceed through the vision of the Santa Ana River. Gerardo Mouet stated that historically flood control has been a large issue, but that this has changed with the flood control efforts to the extent that flood insurance is no longer required for Santa Ana residents. Mary Ann Skorpanich of the County of Orange stated that there can be a balance between tiood protection and restoration interests. Jerry King requested that the history of the Santa Ana Main Stem project be shared at a future meeting. SANTA ANA RIVER TASK FORCE MINUTES 5 OCTOBER 11, 2005 A request was made to have the Army Corps of Engineers share what projects they've completed along the Santa Ana River. Gerardo Mouet stated that the Riverview Golf course has nine holes on the riverbank where soil was brought in to landscape the River. This project was completed with the approval of the Army Corps. The Task Force brainstormed to identify great examples of similar projects to be researched: . Spokane, Washington . Denver, Colorado . San Antonio, Texas . Tempe, Arizona . Boulder Colorado . Austin, Texas · Napa Valley, California . Sacramento, California . Dunedin, New Zealand A clarification was made that some of the areas named established planning policies prior to development, while others created and implemented restoration plans. 5. DISCUSSION ON ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS Gerardo Mouet shared the time line of future Task Force meetings. A special meeting of the Task Force will be held on November 5 to tour the River, and then to meet on four consecutive months to put together the plan for the Santa Ana River. Once the plan is complete, the Task Force's work is completed. A suggestion was made to hold one of the future meetings at Riverview Golf Course. Mike Vigliotta reminded the Task Force members of the Brown Act issues and to not conduct meetings on their own outside of the official Task Force meetings to discuss Task Force business. Stephanie Barger stated that many of the members already conduct business together around River-reiated issues. Mike Vigliotta stressed that such meetings be kept to a minimum. Steve PonTell reminded the group that the Task Force will have an end, and to try to respect Brown Act rules as much as possible. SANTA ANA RIVER TASK FORCE MINUTES 6 OCTOBER 11, 2005 I COMMENTS i 1. PUBLIC COMMENTS Steve Gibson of Environment, Science, & Art Inc. made the observation that throughout the meeting he had heard recreation and restoration discussed as though they are competing interests, and asked that the group that the two can be compatible. 2. TASK FORCE MEMBER COMMENTS Steve PonTell asked Task Force members to share closing thoughts and impressions regarding the meeting and the Task Force's mission. Task Force members generally stated that they were inspired by seeing the group meet and that they have high hopes for the Santa Ana River. Gerardo Mouet indicated the final plan will be presented to City Council and shared with the Neighborhood Associations. Other comments made were that the group hopes that the plan will become a "living" document and shared with various stakeholders. Barbara Muirhead asked whether the minutes to the Task Force meeting are public record. Mike Vigliotta responded that yes, they are. 3. STAFF COMMENTS: City Staff comments echoed those of the Task Force Members. Staff expressed that they are very pleased with the turnout and comments of the Task Force and look forward to working with the group. Dan Bott stated that he hoped that the plan would eventually be incorporated into the City's General Plan. Executive Director Gerardo Mouet thanked everyone for their thoughtful participation. ADJOURNMENT - 6:45 P.M. '~)ILr/ ~ Dolores Ramos, Recording Secretary SANTA ANA RIVER TASK FORCE MINUTES 7 OCTOBER 11, 2005