Environmental Committee

Agenda

1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
3. 1. Recommendation to approve the Environmental Committee minutes for the meeting of Thursday, October 25, 2007.
   Agenda Item
   Action: received and filed Passed

   A motion was made by Chair Reyes Uranga, seconded by Member S. Lowenthal, to receive and file the Environmental Committee minutes for the meeting of Thursday, October 25, 2007. The motion carried by the following vote:

4. 2. Recommendation to discuss Noise Pollution and Abatement.
   Agenda Item
   Action: approve recommendation Passed

   A motion was made by Member S. Lowenthal, seconded by Chair Reyes Uranga, to approve recommendation to form an Advisory Group regarding temporary licenses for music as "accessory" for use at Grand Openings and report back to the committee. The motion carried by the following vote:

5. 3. Recommendation to City Council to concur in recommendation of the Environmental Committee and the Sustainable City Commission that the communications be received and approved for polystyrene use and related issues. (Citywide)
   Agenda Item
   Action: recommend

   This Agenda Item was recommend that the Ciity Council consider potential replacement for expanded polystyrene, to include recyclables for use in City facilities (cost information to be provided); encourage the voluntary elimination of expanded polystyrene through a citywide educational campaign for food service facilities; explore the development of a green business designation to reward businesses that eliminate expanded polystyrene; consider an expanded polystyrene recycling program and engage in other green practices; and request that staff explore how to address the human behavior modification component; explore infrastructure changes; and investigate creating a market to recycle expanded polystyrene locally due back on 2/19/2008. Moved by Chair Reyes Urange, seconded by Vice Chair O'Donnell. The motion carried by the following vote:

6. 07-0647 Recommendation to revisit the discussion regarding the Plastic Bag Reduction and Recycling Program.
   Agenda Item
   Action: approve recommendation Passed

   Motion to Approve recommendation to continue to promote and monitor current state and local level plastic bag recycling programs; continue to investigate and report on reusable, recyclable and U.S. made bags and availability; request that staff work with the City Attorneys office and report back on what other cities are doing; what the city has the authority to do; what other cities have done and what would be viable for the city. At the end of one year, evaluate the plastic bag recycling efforts in Long Beach; and only consider a plastic bag ban and reusable bag policy after a full analysis of what other cities have implemented and the legal implications involved.  Moved by Chair Reyes Uranga, seconded by Vice Chair O'Donnell. The motion carred by the following vote:

7. 4. Recommendation to City Council to concur in recommendation of the Housing and Neighborhoods Committee related to amending the Noise Ordinance restricting hours of operation for certain construction equipment and for residential noise.
   Agenda Item
   Action: recommend Passed

   A motion was made by Member S. Lowenthal, seconded by Vice Chair O'Donnell to approve the recommendation to forward to the City Council the existing construction hours and continue to enforce all noise produced at construction sites before 7:00 a.m. and after 7:00 p.m. on weekdays; amend the Noise Ordinance to limit loud noise produced by construction activities (i.e., pile drivers) to weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. only, with any special exceptions granted per approval by the City's Noise Officer. The motion carried by the following vote:

8. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: Members of the public are invited to address the Committee.
9. ADJOURNMENT
10. I, Gloria Harper, City Clerk Specialist, certify that the agenda was posted not less than 72 hours prior to the meeting _____________________________ Date: ________________
11. NOTE: An agenda may be obtained from the City Clerk Department prior to the meeting or can be mailed if the City Clerk is provided self-addressed, stamped envelopes mailed to: City Clerk Dept., City Hall Plaza Level, 333 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach CA 90802. You may view the agenda on the Internet at www.longbeach.gov. E-Mail correspondence can be directed to cityclerk@longbeach.gov. Agenda items may be reviewed in the City Clerk Department or the Plaza Level Information Desk at the Main Library. Communicate through the Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (562) 570-6626. If a special accommodation is desired pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, or if you need the agenda provided in an alternate format, please phone the City Clerk Department at (562) 570-6101 by 12 noon Monday, the day prior to the meeting. Inquire at the City Council Chamber Audio-Visual Room for an assistive listening device.
12. Chair Reyes Uranga spoke. Harvey Cochran, Long Beach resident, spoke. Diane Leijins, Long Beach resident, spoke. Councilmember O’Donnnell spoke. Suzanne Frick, Director of Planning & Building, spoke. A dialogue ensued. Jeff Benedict, Noise Control Officer, spoke. Councilmember S. Lowenthal spoke. Chair Reyes Uranga spoke.
13. THIRD ROLL CALL
    Roll Call (3 votes)

    • Tonia Reyes Uranga Yes
    • Councilmember O'Donnell Yes
    • Suja S. Lowenthal Yes
14. 06-1359 Recommendation to City Council to concur in recommendation of the Housing and Neighborhoods Committee related to amending the Noise Ordinance restricting hours of operation for certain construction equipment and for residential noise.
    Agenda Item
    Action: recommend Passed

    A motion was made by Chair Reyes Uranga, seconded by Vice Chair O'Donnell, to recommend to the City Council three (3) proposal regarding Neighborhood Motorized Noise: 1) 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m .weekdays, 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Saturdays and 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Sundays; 2) 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. on Sundays; and 3) 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. weekdays and 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, due back on 1/8/2008 The motion carried by the following vote:

15. Chair Reyes Uranga spoke. Agenda Item 4 was considered at this time.
16. 07-0646 Recommendation to receive a report on the Stakeholders Meeting regarding polystyrene use and related issues; and Angela Reynolds, Planning Officer gave a staff report and responded to questions. 07-0647 Recommendation to receive a report on the Stakeholders Meeting regarding the Plastic Bag Reduction and Recycling Program. Angela Reynolds, Advanced Planning Officer, gave a staff report and responded to questions.
17. FINISHED AGENDA & MINUTES
18. 06-1359 Recommendation to City Council to concur in recommendation of the Housing and Neighborhoods Committee related to amending the Noise Ordinance restricting hours of operation for certain construction equipment and for residential noise.
    Agenda Item
    Action: laid over Passed

    A motion was made by Chair Reyes Uranga, seconded by Member S. Lowenthal, that this item be laid over until department representatives are available. The motion carried by the following vote:

19. Also present: Amy Burton, Deputy City Attorney; Suzanne Frick, Director, Planning & Building; Angela Reynolds, Advanced Planning Officer; Alfre Vaille, Planning & Building Administrative Intern; James Kuhl, Manager, Environmental Services Bureau; and City Clerk Specialists Gloria Harper and Dina Lopez. Chair Reyes Uranga gave opening remarks and opened the floor for discussion only, as there was not a quorum.
20. SECOND ROLL CALL
21. 07-0235 Recommendation to receive a status report on temporary entertainment license for music as "accessory" for use at Grand Openings. Chair Reyes Uranga spoke. Angela Reynolds, Advanced Planning Officer, gave a staff report and responded to questions. A dialogue ensued.
22. Councilmember O’Donnell spoke. Suzanne Frick, Director of Planning & Building, spoke. A dialogue ensued. Jeff Benedict, Noise Control Officer, spoke. Councilmember S. Lowenthal spoke.