CITY OF LA HABRA HEIGHTS
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE LA HABRA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL
JULY 27, 2000
A special meeting of the La Habra Heights City Council was called to order by Mayor Powers at 6:40 p.m. on Thursday, July 27, 2000 at 1245 Hacienda Boulevard, multipurpose room, La Habra Heights.
Councilmembers present were: Mayor Powers, Mayor Pro Tem Daniel, Councilmembers: Engelhardt and Klein. Councilmember Spothelfer was absent and officially excused. Also present were City Manager Lindsey, City Engineer Milano, City Attorney Colantuono, Planning Director Sanderson, Contract Planner Stetson and Deputy Clerk Coulter.
1. REQUEST TO AWARD CONTRACT FOR THE FULLERTON ROAD RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT
City Engineer Milano presented the staff report, explaining that this is the reconstruction between northeast city limits and East Road. The project is funded under Citywide district # 1 and the Storm Damage Grant of $119,000. Mayor Powers opened the matter to questions from the public.
There were no comments or questions.
Mayor Pro Tem Daniel offered a motion to approve the R. J. Noble Company bid of $217,183, seconded by Councilmember Klein and approved as follows:
AYES: Daniel, Engelhardt, Klein and Powers
NOES: None
ABSENT: Spothelfer
2. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA HEIGHTS REGARDING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (CUP) 99-08
Contract Planner Stetson gave the staff report. She stated that Crimson Resource Management was directed to develop an alternative to their proposed series of tanks for site # 5 at 2157 North Hacienda Boulevard as the City Council felt the tanks had an adverse aesthetic impact. The Contract Planner noted that an independent third party consultant, Tower Petroleum Corporation, was retained by the City to analyze and provide a report on the options and provide direction regarding which alternative is desirable to be pursued.
Chuck Champion, consultant for Tower Petroleum, added an alternative option (Subsurface Hydraulic Pumps). Mr. Champion met with the Contract Planner, Mayor Pro Tem Daniel and Councilmember Klein to hear the CityÕs concerns; also he met with Mr. Buntman from Crimson Oil. Mr. Champion also spoke with Union Oil due to their familiarity with site # 5.
A new Power Oil Loop was strongly recommended between site # 5 and site # 3 by Mr. Champion. He compared all the options studied in the categories of Public Safety, Environmental Impact, Economic Viability, Aesthetic Impact, Technical Feasibility and Overall Acceptability. The Tower Petroleum representative explained that he favored the new tanks as the safest option and the most economical. He stated that structures could be placed over the tanks. Mr. Champion continued that all lines need to be hydro tested. He recommended a pressure relief valve should be installed downstream with an alarm and shut off system.
Mayor Pro Tem Daniel noted that there was a revised options summary chart that differed from the original in some ways.
Tower PetroleumÕs representative Champion explained that he had not made the revision.
City Attorney Colantuono explained that staff had written the revision from their understanding of what Mr. Champion had told them. The original report was made one week ago.
Councilmember Klein was concerned that the revised report was not actually written by the Tower Petroleum representative.
Mr. Champion explained that he had learned more during this week and he did agree with the revised report.
The City Council discussed if option #7 (Subsurface Hydraulic Pumps) was actually cost prohibitive. The City Council also discussed underground pumps.
Tower Petroleum representative Champion explained that the pumps would need to be heated and would require an open flame. Mr. Champion stated he would not favor an open flame in an urban environment.
Mr. Champion explained that he had safety concerns with a power line from site # 5 to site # 3 due to possible line failure.
Councilmember Klein stated that he could not accept the revised chart at the last minute.
City Attorney Colantuono and City Manager both explained that it was actually a clarification of the week old chart and that Mr. Champion was at the staff meeting giving further information.
The City Council asked various questions on the life of pipes and details of alternative #7.
City Attorney Colantuono expressed the need to add an additional condition of approval. ÒThe applicant will test the existing power oil loop within 90 days of the approval of this permit or by such a later date as the Planning Director determines is the earliest feasible time such testing can be completed. Such testing shall be at pressures equal or greater to those required by the State Fire Marshal. When testing is completed, pressure release valves on each line shall be maintained at a pressure less than the pressure utilized in the test. The applicant shall retest each such line not less than annually thereafter until the lines are abandoned.Ó
Mr. Buntman of Crimson Resource Management agreed to the additional condition of approval as presented by the City Attorney. He explained that at all times he had stressed the danger of the power oil loop and all the lines should be tested as the State Fire Marshal required. Mr. Buntman noted that the alternative he had proposed was ÔSurface Hydraulic PumpsÕ. Both his and Mr. ChampionÕs alternative options have many moving parts that would require a lot of maintenance. This could cause more traffic on Hacienda going to site # 5. Mr. Buntman stressed safety and environmental impact as of prime importance.
Mr. Buntman, Crimson Oil, answered questions posed by Mayor Pro Tem Daniel, as to a proposal for testing smaller volume tanks above ground and after seeing that they work, placing them underground. He explained that when looked into, the alternative he had proposed had been discarded as not feasible. He noted that he had neglected to report this to the City Council. He continued with a complete explanation of what the expenses would be on the alternative for the Subsurface Hydraulic Pumps.
Mayor Pro Tem Daniel disagreed that alternate option #7 was too expensive to activate.
Councilmember Engelhardt noted that in her opinion she did not favor a building over tanks.
City Attorney Colantuono asked Mr. Buntman what method Crimson Resource Management used for separation of the oil and water.
Mr. Buntman stated that they used chemicals.
The City Council, Mr. Buntman and Mr. Champion discussed and rejected any type of heat-treating.
The City Council discussed the possibility of placing the power loop between site # 5 and site # 3 along with another line to get from site #3 to site #11 under the pavement.
City Engineer Milano explained that it was possible, but it would probably require more than one lane of Hacienda Boulevard.
Mayor Powers opened the Public Hearing to the audience.
There were no comments.
Mayor Powers closed the Public Hearing.
Councilmember Engelhardt expressed her concern that there might be a hydrogen sulfide gas danger in the oilfields.
Mr. Champion noted that the smell would be very noticeable and could be filtered out.
Mr. Buntman explained that the oil in the La Habra Heights field was sweet gas and there was no worry about Hydrogen Sulfide.
Mayor Pro Tem Daniel felt that the only option he could approve was the option #7 (Submersible Hydraulic Pumps).
Councilmember Klein spoke against above ground tanks and he felt replacing the lines would be satisfactory.
Councilmember Engelhardt stated that the above ground tanks were acceptable and that replacing the power loops would be good.
City Attorney Colantuono suggested that the City Council has two options. The City Council can adopt a resolution that authorizes Crimson Oil to redesign site #5 with a new power oil loop or with the subsurface hydraulic pumps. The other option is to continue the matter and let Crimson Oil have another shot at persuading the City Council at a continuation.
Mayor Powers noted that it was an issue that Councilmember Spothelfer was not present and should have some input also.
Mayor Powers asked if since there had been some interest shown among the City Council for the #7 alternate (Submersible Hydraulic Pumps), did Mr. Champion have any more information that would be helpful on #7 in regard to categories other than ÔEconomic Viability Ô.
Mr. Champion explained that there are a number of issues that have not been resolved at this time.
Mr. Buntman added that there would have to be spacing around each unit for containment due to the large amount of hydraulic fluid necessary. Mr. Buntman estimated the footprint would amount to 65 feet by 40 feet for all ten units.
Councilmember Engelhardt asked why replacing the power loop seemed to be rated lower than the tanks.
Mr. Champion answered that if the City Council would not accept the tanks, the power loop was acceptable, but if it broke, the results were much more drastic.
Mayor Powers expressed concern as to whether the soil under Hacienda Boulevard had been properly compacted so the power oil loop could be placed under the pavement.
City Engineer Milano stated that it would most likely be ÒcutÓ rather than ÒfillÓ on the up-side portion of the road. There would be soil tests during the process.
Councilmember Klein explained that he was actually more concerned with failure of the old oil lines than a new power oil loop.
City Attorney Colantuono clarified the difference between Mr. ChampionÕs tank recommendation and the Crimson Oil proposal. Crimson OilÕs proposal was to install a tank battery and abandon two of the three lines coming down the hill and use one of the three. Mr. ChampionÕs recommendation was tanks plus a new line between site #5 and site #3.
Mr. Buntman from Crimson Oil asked to have the item continued to the next City Council meeting since there was not a full City Council at tonightÕs meeting. He also expressed his desire to have the Tower Petroleum consultant present at the meeting.
Mayor Powers noted that the soonest the City Council and the consultant could be together was September 14, 2000.
Mr. Buntman noted that he had recommended the tanks in the interest of Safety and Environmental Impact and the consultant made the same recommendation for the same reasons.
City Attorney Colantuono stated that he did not think the City Council could expect Crimson Oil to come back in September with any different options.
Councilmember Klein indicated that he would not favor of a tank-farm proposal any more in September than he is tonight.
Mayor Powers explained that the City Council was approving a conditional Use Permit and could make any conditions they wanted and approve any of the three main options that they wanted.
Councilmember Klein noted that he would like more information on the tank described at the last meeting and if it was viable to put it below surface with chemical heating without gas heating. Councilmember Klein stated that he felt the replacement of the power oil loop could be done safely.
City Attorney Colantuono explained that there were three options for the City Council to continue the item until the September meeting:
á Continue the item with specific instructions to the applicant or staff as to further information that would be of assistance.
á Continue the item for further public comment without any specific instructions as to what should be heard.
á Close the Public Hearing tonight but continue a decision after Council deliberation without any further input from anyone.
Mayor Pro Tem Daniel asked Mr. Champion if there was any other possible configuration or design of the tank farm or other alternatives of an underground tank farm that Mr. Champion could assist with before September.
Mr. Champion stated that he would look into the matter.
Councilmember Engelhardt asked for information on the type of pipe, the pressure it would be under and the volume flowing through it if the power oil loop was replaced.
Councilmember Klein expressed his concern that the City Council would be placed in the position of doing the engineering for Crimson Oil.
Mayor Powers offered a motion to continue item 2 to the September 14, 2000 City Council meeting seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Daniel and approved as follows:
AYES: Daniel, Engelhardt, Klein and Powers
NOES: None
ABSENT: Spothelfer
None
The Council discussed the meeting that the City of Whittier is to have on traffic calming.
The City Manager noted that the meeting would be on August 8, 2000 and she had some information from them and would receive more soon. City Manager Lindsey said that she would fax copies of the information to the City Council members.
It was noted that the traffic calming should be on the September Agenda.
The City Council discussed the problem of the canyon fly.
Mayor Powers noted that the Abatement District stated that the canyon fly is not in their scope of work or their funding. The Mayor asked for a volunteer from the community to gather more information. He asked City Manager Lindsey to coordinate volunteers.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Powers adjourned the City Council Meeting at 9:37 p.m.
ATTEST:
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CITY CLERK LINDSEY