HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/19/1973MINUTES
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA
JANUARY 19, 1973 - 4:00 p.m.
City Hall
Pledge
Roll Call
Present: Emmons Blake, John C. Brown, Myron Graham,
T. Keith Gurnee, Kenneth E. Schwartz
City Staff
Present: J. H. Fitzpatrick, City Clerk; D. Englert, Police
Captain; R. D. Miller, Administrative Officer;
R. A. Paul, Director of the Water Department;
E. L. Rodgers, Police Chief; D. F. Romero, City
Engineer; L. Schlobohm, Fire Chief; A. J. Shaw, Jr.,
City Attorney; R. Young, Planning Director
The City Council met in a special called session.
Mayor Schwartz introduced the purpose of the special called meeting which
was to review the flood conditions in San Luis Obispo and to ratify the
action of the Mayor pro tem, Emmons Blake, in proclaiming a state of
emergency in the City of San Luis .Obispo due to the flooding caused by
heavy rains on January 18, 1973, and requesting that the Governor declare
a state of extreme emergency so that funds could be made available for
rehabilitation of public and private property.
Councilman Blake reviewed the reasons he took the action as Acting
Director of Civil Defense for the City of San Luis Obispo in order to
minimize personal and private damage caused by heavy rains and flooding.
He explained that the advantage of having this type of proclamation
regarding the situation was that it allowed the immediate contracting
for machinery, men and equipment without going through normal bidding
procedures. He suggested that the emergency conditions be in effect
for at least eight days or until the major work of cleaning up had
been completed.
Mayor Schwartz asked each department head to briefly review the effects
of the flooding on their respective facilities and the existing conditions.
R. A. Paul, Director of the Water Department, reported that all water
department facilities were in full operation and the water quality
had been maintained. No major water facilities were damaged during
the storm. He stated that his department was keeping a close watch
on all water storage tanks and equipment.
D. F. Romero, City Engineer, reported that four sewer breaks had occurred,
all of which were being repaired under emergency contracts with private
contractors. He reported that the storm drainage facilities had been
completely overtaxed by the intensity of the storm, resulting in flood-
ing throughout the community. There was very little damage to public
facilities, but considerable damage to private properties. Street
' damage was limited to only several blocks, which have been barricaded.
Traffic.is passable now on all streets.
E. L.' Rodgers, Police Chief, commented that there were no injuries or
deaths known to the Police Department. His department was operating
with full staff with no vacations or days off for personnel. Three
police vehicles were damaged during the height of the storm, and one
might not be repairable. He stated that his department had received
reports of looting but they had not been able to verify the complaints
but were kleeping an extra patrol throughout the City both night and day.
City Council Minutes
January 19, 1973
Page 2
L. Schlobohm, Fire Chief, stated his department was on rescue operations
until noon helping evacuate people and moving the ill and infirm. When
the fire started in the Tower Building a major effort by both men and
equipment were needed to suppress the fire. He reported that all units
were now back in normal service and that extra help had been released.
D. F. Romero, City Engineer, stated the prime problem on the streets
of the City was the dirt and debris caused by the flooding and that the
major effort now was cleaning and picking up in order that the streets
become passable. He had not fully assessed damages but there were
several streets which would require partial reconstruction due to the
flood damage. He stated all streets in the City would be cleared and
operative by the weekend.
A. J. Shaw, City Attorney, presented.a resolution ratifying the action of
the Mayor pro tem in declaring an emergency, for the Council's considera-
tion.
R. D. Miller, Administrative Officer, then reported on the latest weather
report which was for all clear weather for the weekend, and reported
that help was available from the County if needed.
Mr. Miller also reported that, on request of the chairman of the Housing
Authority, Mr. Young had polled Council members by telephone and secured
three votes in favor of allowing occupancy of six units on Leff Street
because of flooding on Orcutt Road.
Councilman Brown agreed with the adoption of a resolution as he.felt a
definite emergency existed and that the City should take whatever
steps were necessary to get help for the citizens of San Luis Obispo.
Councilman Graham agreed, stating he too felt that the City should.
take whatever steps were necessary to help clean up and rebuild
damaged properties.
Councilman Gurnee agreed that the City should declare an emergency in
order to get private and public properties repaired as rapidly as
possible.
Councilman Blake urged the adoption of the resolution as he felt this
was the first step to getting help for rehabilitating private and
public property within the City.
On motion of Councilman Blake, seconded by Councilman Gurnee, the
following resolution was introduced. RESOLUTION NO. 2410, a resolution
of the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo ratifying the proclamation
dated January 13, 1973, declaring the existence of a local emergency
due to flood damage.
Passed and adopted on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Emmons Blake, John C. Brown, Myron Graham,
T. Keith Gurnee, Kenneth E. Schwartz
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Mayor Schwartz felt that all efforts of the City employees and citizens
should be to close ranks and clean up and put the City back in order.
He asked that all citizens stay away from the areas heavily damaged
during the floods as sightseers only complicated the clean -up operations.
He set Monday, January 29, 1973 at 7:30.p.m. for a full discussion of
the storm, flooding and effects on the City.
The meeting was adjourned by the Mayor.
APPROVED: %PATRICK, CITY CLERK
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