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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-20-1992 Town Hall Meeting-Lake Transition UpdateMINUTES TOWN HALL MEETING - LAKE TRANSITION UPDATE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE TERRA COTTA JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL 29291 ROBB ROAD LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1992 *de~kiratakaFir~ki~~Y~Yieakie**~Y~kiriraFaY***~k**iriraFirirat~k**irtra4ie~Y~k**~k*i~~k~k*aFirieaFie~F~ir~F~k~k**9r CALL TO ORDER Mayor Washburn opened the meeting at 7:05 p.m. and welcomed the public. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Washburn INTRODUCTIONS Mayor Washburn introduced the head table which consisted of the following persons: George Cook, State Parks & Recreation; Burnie Cavendar, Lake Elsinore Management Authority; Ken Edwards, Riverside County Flood Control District; Don Monahan, State Parks & Recreation; Steve Stump, Riverside County Flood Control District; Peter Dawson, Citizens Lake Advisory Committee; Erwin Palmer, Citizens Lake Advisory Committee: Kevin Pape, City Treasurer/Citizens Lake Advisory Committee; Councilman Jim Winkler, Mayor Pro Tem Fred Dominguez and City Manager Ron Molendyk. DISCUSSION (F:92.1)_ Mayor Washburn explained that the purpose of this Study Session is update the public and to obtain input from the public with regard to the future operations and uses of the Lake. He explained that the priorities of the Lake negotiations to date have been: 1) To Stabilize the Level of the Lake at Elevation 1240; 2) To Maintain Water Quality suitable for Body Contact, Non- Restricted Recreational Uses; 3) To operate all Facilities as an Enterprise Account; 4) Combine all of the above to Revitalize the Recreational Aspects of the Lake. Mayor Washburn detailed the steps taken to date, including successful lobbying efforts on Assembly Bill 1697 (co-authored by Assemblymen Kelly & Clute and Senator Presley), with approval and signature by the Governor to allow for transfer of the 3,000 acre lake to the City, subject to final conditions being met. He explained the City is in what could be considered the "escrow" stage of the process. City Manager Molendyk pointed out that in order to complete this process to current status, a number of agencies have been involved including the Federal Bureau of Reclamation, Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Fish & Wildlife, Department of Fish & Game, Department of Health, County Flood Control District, Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority, Elsinore Municipal Water District PAGE TWO - CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - OCTOBER 20, 1992 ~ and many others. He explained that negotiations are currently moving forward a bit slowly, and was originally anticipated to take three years with a phased approach, however, based on the current State budget problems the State would like to turn the lake over to the City as soon as possible. He further explained that the transfer is intended to shift the Lake and recreation £acility responsibilities to the City and the water easement to the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District. Mayor Washburn commented that one meeting with State officials has occurred and the State is checking with legal staff with regard to the legal points of the transfer. He stressed that one condition of the transfer is that the City insure that the recreational needs for the Community are met. George Cook, State Parks & Recreation Department, advised that the only concern they have is that the residents continue to be able to use the Lake. He further advised that they are now ready to continue with the negotiations. Mayor Washburn commented on the future Law Enforcement needs relating to the Lake, which are estimated at $650,000 to $700,000 per year. City Manager Molendyk explained that the City is pursuing the potential of making the Lake a commercial endeavor to help offset the costs of maintenance, law enforcement and general operations. He further explained that this is the reason the public input and visions for the lake are being requested to help formulate the appropriate facilities. Mayor Washburn explained that the Lake Management Plan as it is today was formed because of the flood conditions in 1980. He detailed the history of the Lake Management Project and the project accomplishments to date. Burnie Cavender, Lake Elsinore Management Authority, showed the LEMA Brochure on Lake Management and provided an update of the joint efforts to date. COUNCILMEMBERS ALONGI AND CHERVENY ARRIVED AT 7:30 P.M. AND WERE INTRODUCED BY MAYOR WASHBURN. Burnie Cavender explained the work of the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority to establish LEMA which consists of five agencies. He further explained that 14 items were required to complete the project of which 95o is complete. He commented on the currently levels of underground water tables and explained that they are lower than originally believed. Mayor Washburn addressed the efforts of SAWPA and LEMA to keep the project and discussions on track. Ken Edwards, Riverside County Flood Control District, detailed the history of discussions regarding the Outflow Channel Improvements from 1980 to present including the execution of a Local Cooperation Agreement with the Army Corps of Engineers in March of 1992. He advised that the construction on this 18 month project is anticipated to begin in May or June of 1993 and be completed near the end of 1994. PAGE THREE - CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - OG~OBER 20, 1992 ~ Mayor Washburn commented on the Citizens Lake Advisory Committee formation and explained that it was established to address concerns that residents and business people have with regard to the future of the Lake. He also explained the goals and objectives of this Committee being to interface and give comments on the transfer documentation, comments on the Lake Edge Specific Plan, provide County resident input, consider future recreational facilities and activities of interest to the Community. He commented that discussion at the first meeting was primarily how to put water in the Lake NOW. Kevin Pape, City Treasurer/Committee Member, advised that the Committee has met several times and discussed the ability to put water in the Lake on a short term basis until the major improvements are completed. He stressed that all alternatives come down to the money factor. Ervin Palmer, Committee Member, expressed concern with the lack of boating and the immediate need for more water. He stressed the need for quick action to reestablish the water level of the Lake. Peter Dawson, Committee Member, commented on Committee discussions and stressed the need to get water in the Lake as soon as possible. He commented on the future of the Lake and the importance of resolving issues to facilitate the transfer. Mayor Washburn commented on the potential for a tourism industry in Lake Elsinore and the need to generate revenue to off-set costs. Don Monahan, State Parks & Recreation, commented that when the water level was high, there were 600-700 boats on the Lake in one day. He compared that figure to the 50 boats over the entire Labor Day Weekend this year. He stressed the loss of income to businesses and the community. Mayor Washburn advised that the City has a staff person who works specifically on Lake related issues and deals with all of the other agencies to help keep the projects on line. City Manager Molendyk further advised that Bill Basham, Special Projects Coordinator, is an engineer and is the one to handle this interfacing with other agencies. Special Projects Coordinator Basham explained the potential for use of the wells to add water to the lake and clarified the costly nature of this type of action. He also commented on recent hearings relating to Title 22 water and the efforts to ensure that the water is safe for recreational'uses. Councilman Winkler commented further on Title 22 Water and explained that there are different levels of processing and water quality encompassed by this terminology. He explained that this water can be suitable for full body contact/recreational purposes and Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District would ultimately be responsible for maintaining acceptable standards. OUESTIONS & ANSWERS Will Buck commented on concerns previously discussed in negotiations of the transfer and inquired with whom the ultimate responsibility of the Lake would rest. City Manager Molendyk clarified that Assembly Bill 1697 allows for transfer of the Lake and recreational facilities to the City and the water easement to PAGE FOUR - CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - OCTOBER 20, 1992 ~ the Water District. Mr. Buck further commented on the original discussions of separating the agreements. He stressed the importance of obtaining assurance that the State would be responsible for the buy out of the current concessionaire. Mayor Washburn advised that it would be the City's stance that this is a State responsibility. Brian Grant questioned the efforts to contact County residents per the conditions of AB 1697. City Manager Molendyk explained that City and County staff have met with each other and continue to do so to develop the appropriate specific plan. He detailed future plans to meet with the County residents, explaining that this is the beginning of the process. Mr. Grant questioned the appropriate contact at the County. Mayor Washburn suggested Joe Richards in County Planning and stressed that a public hearing process with occur. Mr. Grant advised that he is in support of the City taking over the Lake, but he questioned the direction the City Council is proceeding. Carol Kellogg stressed the rights of the residents to use the lake and beaches. Mayor Washburn advised that he has met with the homeowners groups in the area. He clarified that the Lake is still held by the State and they currently control the ability to launch from private property. Ms. Kellogg questioned the applicability of the rights granted them by the CC & R's. City Manager Molendyk clarified that it is the City's current understanding from the State is that only one property holds launching rights. Mr. Cook concurred that this is the State's position, explaining that this has been a controversy for quite some time including correspondence back to 1972. He advised that the Attorney General has determined that there are no other specific rights to the Lake. Ms. Kellogg questioned the private beach access rights. Mr. Cook advised that access rights apply as long as the water touches the property legally designated. He further advised that he has seen the documents to which Ms. Kellogg refers. Ms. Kellogg further questioned the ability to maintain the rights of access. Mayor Washburn clarified that access will be allowed, however, the joint relationship must be worked out. Mr. Grant inquired whether the City would be able to make a commitment as to the future access by the next town hall meeting, or if a date could be provided when this decision would be made. Mayor Washburn clarified the difficulty in making this type of decision at this time or even knowing when a decision would be reached. George Edsel questioned where the necessary funding would come from. Mayor Washburn clarified that it is the hope of the City to establish the Lake as an enterprise account, in addition to work to obtain funding through AB 1697. He further explained that this would hopefully generate revenue to off-set costs. City Manager Molendyk further clarified that the costs vs. revenues are still under review to determine whether the Community can afford to take over the Lake. Mr. Edsel addressed the costs charqed by the State Park for camping and suggested that they have priced themselves out of reason. City Manager Molendyk further commented on the costs for the park and buying water. PAGE FIVE - CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - OCTOBER 20, 1992 ~ Councilwoman Cherveny commented on the current evaporation statistics and the water necessary to off-set it. She stressed that the consensus of Council is that the Advisory Committee process does not superceed the State transfer requirements. She further stressed the openness of the Council toward input from the residents. Mayor Pro Tem Dominguez commented on previous meetings further stressed that the State has jurisdiction wherever the water goes. Mr. Cook clarified the boundary of the jurisdiction and the variations around the Lake, based on the property lines stated in the individual deeds. Mr. Monahan further clarified the State boundaries. Chris Hyland commented on previous contacts and discussions reqarding the potential for Title 22 water being Body Contact approved. She questioned recent changes and inquired whether it had been determined that this water would be safe to put in the Lake. Special Projects Coordinator Basham advised that additional information on this question is being reviewed in Sacramento and the hearing process continued for approximately two months for further determinations. He further advised that a report by Dr. Asano indicates that this water could be nearly drinking water quality. He suggested that the final determination should be made in the next two months. Mrs. Hyland questioned the impact of power failure on the testing and pumping of this water into the Lake. Mr. Basham explained that a power failure would prevent the water from being pumped at all and thus hold it until testing could occur. A lady in the audience, questioned the safety for children swimming in this water and possibly swallowing it. Mr. Basham advised that it is currently felt that this water is 90% pure and should help to improve the quality of the Lake through dilution. Councilwoman Cherveny questioned the processing and testing of Title 22 water. Mr. Basham adyised that tests have been requested and staff is still working toward safe "body contact" water for the lake. Mayor Washburn clarified that pursuant to the agreement between the City and the Water District, the water must meet the standards of the Water Quality Control Board. Bob Houts addressed the "riparian" rights of the Lakeland Village Property Owners and stressed the need to allow continued recreational boating ability. Ae detailed the history of these riparian rights and suggested that the Courts may be the only way to resolve the rights of the property owners. Mayor Washburn commented that he has met with these owners and clarified that it is still not the intent of the City to degrade the rights of any property owner. He suggested that Mr. Dawson is well representing the rights of those property owners. Mr. Cook commented that once the Lake is transferred the State position is a moot point. Mr. Houts commented that he had discussed this in detail previously PAGE SIX - CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - OCTOBER 20, 1992 and reiterated the need for the City to state its intent toward the rights of the residents. Mayor Washburn commented that he feels these residents are being heard, but the City is not at liberty to make commitments now. He stressed that he feels this matter will be resolved when it is timely. Mr. Grant further questioned the timing of information on a decision. Councilman Wink~er questioned the type of information Mr. Grant really wants at this time. Mayor Washburn further clarified the difficulty in the commitment requested. Councilman Winkler further clarified that no decision will occur until all input has been received and it is difficult to know how long that will take. Councilwoman Cherveny further clarified the process that will occur and stressed that this is the beginning of that process. Mayor Washburn inquired what uses the audience would like to see available on the Lake in the future. Suggestions included a clean Lake, approved property rights, ability to ski, a Jet Ski area, and fishing derbies. A gentleman in the audience, inquired what rights the City might have to water from Canyon Lake. Mayor Washburn explained that the City's rights are really to only what comes over the spillway. City Attorney Harper further explained that this water is governed by the Tilley Agreement and explained its limitations. Members of the audience questioned the impact of dredging the Lake to prevent evaporation, etc. Mr. Edwards clarified the evaporation and the inability to reduce evaporation and maintain the existing surface acreage. Mayor Washburn thanked the attendees for participatinq in this meeting and providing input. THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT _~ ~_ 9• P.M. G ~ CIT F ~ ,.~~~~~~~ LAKE ELSINORE ~CKI KASAD, CITY CLERK CITY OF„LAKE.ELSINORE