"This is a strict program and I am 100% for it," said Mayor Wayne
Baglin, a former chair of the regional water board.
Baglin has been a frequent critic of what he considers the city's
lackadaisical implementation of policies to safeguard ocean water
quality, particularly the pollution of Laguna Canyon Creek, which flows
into the ocean at Main Beach.
"The city has done nothing to clean its backyard, while pointing
fingers at communities along Aliso Creek," he said.
Surfer and marine biologist Corky Smith was even more critical. He
read aloud a 10-point program for fighting water pollution signed by
Baglin and City Manager Ken Frank in 1996 and only minimally implemented,
Smith said.
He called the staff's update and proposals a slap in the face.
The update included steps the city has taken to fight water pollution,
including hiring a water-quality analyst and reassigning environmental
specialist Michael Phillips to work on urban runoff water quality.
"I have only been here four months and I am happy to see what has been
accomplished," said Craig Justice. "For the most part, we are doing what
we are supposed to be doing."
The city conducted a water-quality workshop in June 2001; updated its
water quality Web site; submitted grant proposals for water quality
projects; formed a water quality task force of city department
representatives; increased weekly street cleaning; conducted a beach
cleanup in September 2001; and installed eight urban runoff water
diversions while planning to install five more.
Three grant applications to the San Diego regional board were denied,
but the request for a low-cost state loan for sewer projects has been
placed on the board's priority list.
An ad hoc Water Quality Advisory Board was established last year,
co-chaired by Mayor Baglin and Councilwoman Toni Iseman. The city will
begin this month a series of activities that includes raising community
awareness of "best management practices," known as BMPs.
The city will be promoting BMPs in publicity releases for local
newspapers, the Chamber of Commerce and school newsletters. Staff will
make presentations on the practices to water districts that serve the
city, the Emerald Bay Services District and Laguna Beach Unified School
District personnel, the city Planning Commission and schools. A public
workshop is planned for June.
Costs to participate in the county's program are expected to be
$114,000 next year.
The spending didn't sit well with the entire council.
"We didn't just print $114,000 tonight," Kinsman said. "Some other
project won't get done. When we take money from a project to fund
another, I want to know what project is getting shafted."
The appropriation will be included in the 2002-03 budget.
