01-19-1993 - Waste Management & Environmental Quality Commission - Duties• • City of West" Covina
Memorandum
TO: City Manager and City Council AGENDA
FROM: Michael L. Miller
Environmental Services Director ITEM NO. F-1
SUBJECT: WASTE MANAGEMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL 1- 193
QUALITY COMMISSION - DUTIES DATE
SUMMARY: The Waste Management and Environmental Quality Commission
is requesting modification of the duties assigned to the
Commission in the Municipal Code.
On November 19, 1992, the Waste Management .and Environmental
Quality Commission discussed the duties of the Commission as set
forth in the Municipal Code (attached). The Commission reviewed
and revised the language that would clearly describe the.
Commission's environmental quality role and waste -management
program review. The Waste -Management 'and Environmental Quality
Commission unanimously recommends that the City Council approve the
requested changes and direct the preparation of an appropriate
ordinance to implement the changes.,
HISTORY
The Waste Management and Environmental Quality Commission was
established by the City Council to provide review of waste
management issues, provide a public forum to review the ongoing
activities at the BKK Landfill by the regulatory agencies and
review issues on environmental quality affecting the City. Early
on, the. primary focus was on the activities of the agencies at the
BKK Landfill. As time passed, the Commission became more involved
in waste management issues. They specifically reviewed and made
recommendations on the State -required Source Reduction and
Recycling Element and Household Hazardous Waste Element. They also
reviewed and provided a recommendation on the proposed automated
residential waste collection system.
Other environmental issues affecting.the City have surfaced. The
Commission provided a public review on the pros and cons of using
malathion in an aerial spraying program against the Mediterranean
Fruit Fly. The Commission sees other environmental issues
beginning to surface. The major issue now is the groundwater
pollution in the San Gabriel Valley basin. The Commission believes
they can continue to prow; de a public forum to discuss these issues
and provide input to the City Council. They have clearly stated
they want to assist the City Council in this regard.
PROPOSAL
The Commission's proposals are listed -below. Staff has provided a
cross -out approach that allows the City Council to see the current
Municipal Code provisions and the proposed language that is in bold
letters and underlined. '
The proposed changes are:
1. Section 2-132 (a) would be changed to read:,
Act in an advisory capacity to the City Council on matters
pertaining to the management of hazardous and nonhazardous
wastes and Environmental quality. In this connection. the
Commission shall:
2. Section 2-132 (a)(4) would be changed to read:
Review and make recommendations on.any recycling program
proposed. for enactment by the City Council to the City Council
on any waste management plan for implementation.
3. Section 2-132 (a)(8) would be changed to read:
Conduct meetings with individuals, groups and organizations to
establish and maintain an open dialogue for input and
discussion of waste management and environmental. issues and
programs initiated by the City of West Covina and to secure
the support of the public for- appropriate waste management
systems and environmental programs.
4. Section 2-132 (a)(9) be redesignated to read:
(9•) (c) Act on any other matter assigned to the Commission by
the City Council.
REVIEW
The textual changes insert language related to environmental
quality issues in proposals 1 and 3. Given the title of this
Commission this should be appropriate. It should be noted that
this language change will not insert this Commission into the
review of environmental documents for the City that are produced to
comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). That
review function is assigned by the City Council to the Planning
Commission which is, by law and experience, better equipped to
conduct such reviews.
The. language in proposal 2. states the Commission will make
recommendations to the City Council on any waste management plan
for implementation. The City Council retains the option to refer
or not to refer to the Commission, a waste management matter that
has been submitted to the City Council. City policy matters and
any subject matter remains with the City Council. On waste
management matters, the Commission is saying "use us" by the
insertion of this language.
Proposal 4. is merely a restructuring of the text in the Municipal
Code. There is no substantial change in duties.
The matter before the City Council appears to be appropriate
changes and clarifications. Staff believes the changes in language
can be made, provided the options retained by the City Council and
the assignment to the Planning Commission are clearly understood by
all. Staff believes if the City has a Commission for a specific
purpose, the City Council should make every effort to use the
Commission to review issues related to the assigned purpose. Thus
staff concurs with the Commission's recommendations.
RECOMMENDATION.
It is recommended the City Council approve the requested changes of
the duties for the Waste Management and Environmental Quality
Commission and direct the preparation of an appropriate ordinance
to implement the changes which are:
1. Section 2-132 (a) would be changed to read:
Act in an advisory capacity to the City Council on matters
pertaining to the management of hazardous and nonhazardous,
wastes and environmental quality. In this connection the
Commission shall:
2. Section 2-132 (a)(4) would be changed to read:
Review and make recommendations on. any recycling program
proposed for enactment by the City Council to the City Council
on any waste management plan for implementation.
3. Section 2-132 (a)(8) would be changed to read:
Conduct meetings with individuals, groups and organizations to
establish and maintain an open dialogue for input and
discussion of waste management and environmental issues and
l
a Y V � •
programs initiated by. the City of West Covina and to secure
the support of the public for appropriate waste management
systems and environmental programs.
4. Section 2-132 (a)(9) be redesignated to read:
(-9.)(c) Act on any other matter assigned to the Commission by
the City Council.
Michael L. Miller
Environmental Services Director
MLM:vs
Attachment
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