Harbor Commission

MINUTES HARBOR COMMISSION Thursday, May 23, 2019 Room B7, Lower Level 2000 Main Street Huntington Beach, CA 92648 Study Session - Regular Meeting - 5:00 PM WILLIAM LARKIN, Chair MICHAEL VAN VOORHIS, Vice-Chair ALFRED BALITZER, Board Member RENEE HUNTER, Board Member KIMBERLEY MILLIGAN, Board Member JOHN OCHS, Board Member CRAIG SCHAUPPNER, Board Member STAFF ERIK PETERSON, Councilmember Liaison LYN SEMETA, Councilmember Liaison MARIE KNIGHT, Community Services Director CHRIS SLAMA, Community Services Manager CARRIE GONZALES, Administrative Assistant MEETING ASSISTANCE NOTICE: In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, services are available to members of our community who require special assistance to participate in public meetings. If you require special assistance, 48-hour prior notification will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements for an assisted listening device (ALD) for the hearing impaired, American Sign Language interpreters, a reader during the meeting and/or large print agendas. Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (714) 536-5227 for more information, or request assistance from the staff or Sergeant-at-Arms at the meeting. PUBLIC COMMENTS: To address the legislative body on items of interest not scheduled for public hearing, Request to Speak forms will be made available at the meeting and are collected by the staff or Sergeant at Arms. Some legislative bodies may provide different Request to Speak forms for public hearing items. AUDIO/VIDEO ACCESS TO BROADCASTED MEETINGS: City Council and Planning Commission meetings are televised live on HBTV-3 Channel 3, and can be viewed via live or archived website at https://huntingtonbeach.legistar.com. Harbor Commission MINUTES May 23, 2019 CALL TO ORDER - 5:00 PM PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL Present: Larkin, Milligan, Ochs, Van Voorhis Absent: Balitzer, Hunter, Schauppner Staff Present: Semeta, Knight, Slama, Gomez PUBLIC COMMENTS - NONE ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS A) Approval of Minutes A motion was made by Van Voorhis, seconded Milligan to approve the meeting minutes dated April 25, 2019. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: Larkin, Milligan, Ochs, and Van Voorhis NOES: None ABSENT: Balitzer, Hunter, Schauppner B) Presentation on Safety and Enforcement in the Harbor Page 2 of 2 Harbor Commission MINUTES May 23, 2019 Kelly Rodriguez, Assistant Police Chief, HB Police Department Neil Hove, Station Commander, Sunset Station Chris Corn, Bureau Commander, OC Sheriff Dept., Harbor Patrol, services all 3 harbors Mike Baumgartner, HB Marine Safety, provides service on the coast and beaches John Haught, Lieutenant, HB Police Department Mark Daggett, Operations Chief-HB Fire Department, oversees firefighters and paramedic on land Jimmy Hoang, Code Enforcement, oversees code enforcement Jennifer Villasenor, Community Development Department, role is to help businesses, property owners, renters and tenants with permits on private land Rodriguez said that in the City entered into a partnership with the County in 1985 that outlined the responsibilities of each agency. Part of the reason for today’s meeting is to review the jurisdictions of each agency and enforcement processes. Once the Commission been provided this information and make recommendations for improvements or changes, the agreement will be looked at for updates. Rodriguez presented a PowerPoint regarding the partnership between the City of Huntington Beach and the County of Orange Sheriff’s Department with regard to safety and enforcement within our waterways and harbors. The basic rule of thumb for the partnership is as follows: • If an incident or situation occurs that needs assistance on land or at the dock, the HB Police, Marine Safety, Fire or Fire Med will be responsible. • If an incident or situation occurs on the water, the responsibility is that of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Harbor Patrol. Various scenarios were discussed to show the process by which each agency is involved. If a situation takes place on the water and then transfers to land, the initial agency will hand the matter over to the appropriate agency. For instance, if an accident happens at sea, the OC Sheriff will assist the injured person and bring them to shore where HBPD and Fire Med will be waiting to take over and render aid or transport the injured. Rodriguez also provided examples of code enforcement issues and reasons for citations. Discussion ensued on the online businesses that rent and drop off water equipment (kayaks, paddleboards, etc.) or conducting classes on the smaller harbor beaches. Rodriguez said that the Police Department receives complaints regarding the kayaks and paddleboards lining the shoreline and blocking access to the beaches. Knight said that the Office of Business Development, along with the Community Services Department is working together to address this issue and cease and desist letters have been sent to the businesses. Villasenor presented the second half of the PowerPoint, discussing the California Coastal Act, which established policies for coastal protection and development through action by state and local governments. The City’s first coastal program was certified by the Coastal Commission in 1985, which included coastal zones. The City has jurisdiction over all Page 1 of 3 Harbor Commission MINUTES May 23, 2019 certified areas of the coastal zone except tidelands, submerged lands, or navigable waterways. Non-certified areas include Brightwater and Sunset Beach. The City’s Local Coastal Program mirrors the policies of the Coastal Act. Ochs asked about tidelands. Villasenor said that Bolsa Chica, the wetlands, and any area next to a body of water is considered a tideland. Rodriguez concluded and opened the floor to questions: Larkin questioned who to call first if it is not a firm case of “if you can walk to it; or if you can swim to it” issue. Rodriguez said to start with the HBPD if unsure. Larkin also asked how the process applies to a spill in the water. Hoff answered that it would be reviewed for the material type and location. The appropriate department or agency would then be contacted. If the OC Sheriffs were unable to handle the situation, they would contact the Coast Guard for assistance. Discussion continued on jurisdictions, environmental issues, and the Coastal Commission process. Van Voorhis asked about the process for reporting and managing boats that are unseaworthy. Corn replied that the Sheriff’s Dept. would handle an abandoned boat, expired registration, or destruction of a vessel. If a boat is no longer wanted, the Sheriff’s department can destroy it with the help of a State grant. Code Enforcement would oversee “eye-sore” or listing vessels for violations. If there are no violations, nothing can be done. Leaking fluids is a law violation and can incur various fines. Discussion continue with questions about “live-aboard” situations. Rodriguez said that it is against Huntington Beach code to live aboard a boat and it can be addressed if reported, however, there are other areas, such as Sunset Aquatic and Seal Beach Marina, where live-aboard is allowed. Semeta asked about security cameras that were installed at Davenport Beach private residence. Knight said that the department is aware of the cameras. The owner has them pointed at the street, his property and the bridge jump area to discourage the jumpers from hanging or climbing onto his boat or dock. Knight hopes that should a serious crime happen within the cameras view, that the owner will share the footage. C) Future Agenda Items Page 2 of 3 Harbor Commission MINUTES May 23, 2019 Knight outlined the agenda items for June and July. Potential Ad Hoc Committees will be discussed to determine areas of interest for the Commission and the prioritization of subjects. Knight informed Commissioners that the Ad Hoc committees are not subject to the Brown Act requirements. Knight also reported that the State Lands Department, who will present information in July, was in Huntington Beach to cite property owners for encroachment. Property owners were provided with warnings in advance by notices and postings. Most came into compliance before citations were necessary. Discussion continued on the process of encroachment notification, the process, and compliance. 1. June: o Municipal Code 2.65 – Harbor Commission discussion o Prioritization of Subjects and potential Ad Hoc Committees to Address Issues and Prioritize Subjects 2. July: o State Lands Commission will discuss their operation as it pertains to the Harbor COMMENTS Larkin announced the Newport Harbor meeting and referred to the attachment information on a block grant. ADJOURNMENT At 6:03 PM to the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Harbor Commission on Thursday, June 27, 2019, at 5:00 PM in meeting room B-7, lower level of the Civic Center, Huntington Beach, California. Page 3 of 3