HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/06/1978City Council Minutes
February 6, 1978
Page 2
Councilman Dunin continued that the Council approve a program of immediate
allocation of $50,000.00 or more to allow the City Staff to make plans for
minor storm drainage improvements within the City.
Clinton Milne, Deputy County Engineer - Hydraulics, submitted a report to the
City Council dealing with the work to date by the.Zone 9 Flood Control District,
particularly in the preparation of the Master -Plan for this District. He
' reported..to_the City Council that the Master -Plan for Zone 9 had been completed
and had been prepared strictly in accordance with the City Council's.action,
Zone 9's actions, and the Board of Supervisors actions; but he wished the
Council to know that an environmental impact determination must be made prior
to the plan's adoption as part of the respective General Plans of the City and
of the County of San Luis Obispo. He informed the City Council that, after
much deliberation, it was concluded that Zone 9 would prepare the environmental
impact report and furnish it to the City-and to the County and thereby would
hopefully save some time in getting the plan adopted. He then reviewed some of
the firms the County Environmental Coordinators had discussed in an attempt to
get consultants to prepare an environmental impact report on the flood control
plan. He concluded that after the E.I.R. had been approved, the City and
County would be asked to adopt the plan as a part of their respective General
Plans after which implementation could commence. Finally he stated that in this
regard he was pleased to note to the Council that recently planned and constructed
drainage facilities within the basin had been consistent with the recommendations
of the Master.Drainage Plan. He then submitted a very brief outline of what was
encompassed in the flood control and drainage Master Plan for the San Luis
Obispo Creek watershed.
A letter from E.F. Gregory, District Director of Transportation, was submitted
for the Council's information. The letter stated he was pleased to inform the
Council that the State Cal -Trans was proceeding with an environmental and
engineering study for the replacement of the Marsh Street Bridge over San Luis
Creek. He wished to remind the Council that these procedures required several
years and they now anticipated that the earliest possible date of construction
would be 1982, although they promised at the local level that they would
diligently pursue the studies in the hope that construction plans could be
prepared earlier in the event that funding should become available. He also
wished the Council to know that the State was also studying the drainage
conditions in the vicinity of Los Osos Valley Road and they anticipated that
this would also be a rather lengthy study because of the complexity of both
the environmental and engineering problems. At this point, Cal -Trans was
not certain what would solve the problem without some coordinated project involv-
ing funding from other agencies; but when they had been able to develop a project
either as separate construction or a coordinated project with other agencies,
they would contact the City and inform them of their plans.
David F. Romero, Public Services Director, submitted a report to the City
Council on the effects of the storm of December 17, 1977, which was a very
intense rainfall, probably the hardest since 1973. He listed in order, the
problems that occurred and the efforts made by the City Crews. He concluded
his report by recommending that the City Council authorize a supplemental budget
appropriation of $50,000.00, to permit the Public Services Department-and the
Engineering Division to proceed immediately with a program of modifying existing
catch basins, rock catchers and minor drainage facilities, particularly in the
critical Johnson Avenue area. In addition, he requested that substantial funds
be budgeted each year to handle drainage improvements on a priority basis as
determined by the Staff. David F. Romero then reviewed for the City Council
1 the storms within the City of January 14, 15 & 16, 1978, listing the primary
problems encountered. He stated that while the storm of December 27, 1977, was
concentrated primarily in the hills above the Johnson Avenue area, the storms of
January 14, 15 & 16, 1978, seemed to be more concentrated in the Foothill and
downtown areas. Much of the damage which occurred could have been prevented
with relatively minor expenditures to improve catch basins, small drainage
systems and individual structures. Finally, David F. Romero submitted a report
dated January 31, 1978, listing in priority order those storm drainage improve-
ments that he felt should be undertaken by the City as an ongoing program for
improving critical storm drainage locations. He felt that the City Council
should not delay the start of these projects until the receipt of the Corps of
Engineer's Report or the Zone 9 E.I.R., but should start immediately on those
which are independent of those studies. He felt the proposed budget of
$200,000.00, for storm drainage improvements on an annual basis to be a step
in the right direction. However, the funds would be quite inadequate for the
City Council Minutes
February 6, 1978
Page 3
City to make quick progress towards solving flood problems. He then submitted
a list of 13 projects listed in order of priority based upon his professional
judgment on the benefits and the cost of the improvements to the City.
Wayne Peterson, City Engineer, submitted a report to the City Council in an
attempt to explain the basic options open to the Council in regards to flood
control for San Luis Obispo. He stated that since the last major flood in
January, 1973, several flood studies and reports had been done by the Corps
of Engineers and George Nolte and Associates. The flood study that was done
recommended a plan that would give 100 -year flood protection from the major
creeks in town. In January, 1978, the City executed a contract with the Corps
of Engineers to begin design of creek.channels for Stenner, Old Garden, and
Lower San Luis Creeks, to carry a 100 -year storm. This design was consistent
with the conclusions of the Nolte Report and its predecessors. Finally, he
stated that the work would soon begin on an E..I.R. in conjunction with the Nolte
Report so that the Nolte Report and its E.I.R. could be adopted by the City
Council. He stated that even if the entire Master Plan for San Luis Creek
System was adopted, flooding within San Luis Obispo would not be totally
stopped. Local flooding in many of the residential and commercial neighbor-
hoods, would still occur. He stated that there were many small creeks and
drainage swales throughout town that would not be worked on as part of the
Master Plan. Many of these drainage facilities had inadequate capacity because
of inadequately sized culverts, obstructions such as trees, and not enough
channel area to allow free passage of water. He felt these minor creeks occurred
in a majority of the residential areas such as Ferrini Heights, Johnson Avenue,
Foothill, Broad Street area, etc. Therefore, even if all major creeks were
brought up to the 100 -year storm capacity, substantial-flooding could still occur
in these areas. He felt the most logical course for immediate action would be:
1) Correct the inadequate minor drainage channel, storm drain and drop
inlets that are causing problems.
2) Bring Stenner Creek, Old Garden Creek and San Luis Creek above the
under City Culvert, up to at least a 25 -year flood capacity.
3) Bring San Luis Creek up to 100 -year capacity below the Marsh Street
Bridge.
He felt all improvements should be sized to handle a 100 -year design storm,
except for upper San Luis Creek. He felt that if the City's priorities were
set in the above sequence, frequent flooding would be minimized. This would
cost substantially less money and benefits would be seen immediately. He
then submitted a written report which outlined the long -range course of action
which is part of the Master Plan of bringing Stenner Creek, Old Garden Creek
and San Luis Creek up to 100 -year flood capacity.
On motion of Councilman Petterson, seconded by Councilman Settle, that the
City Council accept the recommendation of David F. Romero and Wayne Peterson to
expend up to $50,000.00 from gas tax to correct minor drainage problems such
as improved catch basins, rock catchers, etc.
Councilman Dunin stated that he was opposed to the motion due to the lack of
priorities for: 1) immediate solution; 2) intermediate solutions; and
3) long -term improvements.
Mayor Schwartz stated that it was confusing to him that if the Staff could not
complete all plans and specifications for the approved 1977 -78 Street Work,
how could the Staff at this moment proceed immediately with plans and specifica-
tions for drainage corrections; it was quite confusing.
R.D. Miller, Administrative Officer, stated that provisions had been made to
hire a replacement inspector-to fill Tony Juarez's position, thus freeing Art
Hird to proceed with notification to property owners to install curb, gutter
and sidewalk in connection with several street projects.
City Council Minutes
February 6, 1978
Page 4
Even so, it was anticipated that several such street projects would be delayed,
thus providing monies for minor drainage improvements.
Councilman Dunin stated that he still was opposed to the motion as he felt no
provisions were made to make any attempt to protect the life and property of
the community.
Motion carried.
Robert Leitcher, Chairman. Zone 9 Advisory Board, congratulated the Council on
their intended action as he felt that what he hears this Council doing is
proceeding with flood control and drainage in the City of San Luis Obispo.
It was moved by Councilman Petterson, seconded by Councilman Settle, that the
City Council approve a concept to prepare a deficiency list for correction of
drainage and flood control measures in the City in the amount of a minimum of
$200,000.00 annually to be considered by-the Council when studying the annual
C.I.P.
Mayor Schwartz questioned the motion as he felt that this was the responsibility
of Zone 9 Advisory Board and the Board.of Supervisors.
Clint Milne explained the mission and responsibility of Zone 9 which was not to
make improvements or build flood control structures, but only to finance stream
cleaning, conduct studies of rainfall, and provide technical support to the City
and County Staffs.
Motion carried, all ayes.
Councilman Dunin moved that the City Council appoint D.F. Romero to be the
Officer in charge of all flood control and drainage projects within the City.
Motion died for lack of a second.
R.D. Miller explained to the City Council that as Administrative Officer, he
had already taken steps to appoint Wayne Peterson, the City Engineer, as the -4;-
City Official that would be responsible for all flood
control and drainage projects within the City.
Mr. Romero submitted an additional report regarding operations problems which
occurred during the January, 1978; storm. This report included 9 recommendations
for modifications and improvements to Public Services Department operations.
Several of these would require substantial.funding, and would be included in the
1978 -79 budget request.
2. Henry Engen, Community Development Director, presented for the City
Council's consideration, a proposed contract for feasibility planning program and
updating costs of Alternate.IV -C, the Downtown Plan (Palm Street Corner). He
stated that it was his intention to retain the special services of David Mitch
Walker, who had worked on the original plans for the County in developing Plan
IV -C. The purpose would be to update the IV -C Plan and develop figures to allow
comparison of costs with those the County is preparing for the Marsh Street Site.
Estimated cost of no. more than $3,500.00
R.D. Miller, Administrative Officer, recommended that the City Council contract
with Mr. David Mitch Walker for the purpose described and that at a future
1 meeting, a contract would be forwarded for the Council's consideration.
There was no objection from the City Council, awaiting the presentation of
contract and resolution.
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Schwartz
adjourned the meeting.
APPROVED: March 21, 1978
Fitzpatrick, City Clerk