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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/16/1961Approved this 21st day of August, 1961. y Clerk ADJOURNED CITY COUNCIL MEETING August 16, 1961 - -- 10 A. M. CITY HALL ROLL CALL: Present - Miss Margaret M. McNeil, R. L. Graves, Jr., Gerald W. Shipsey, Clay P. Davidson. Absent - Donald Q. Miller. CITY STAFF PRESENT: Administrative Officer Miller, Water Superintendent Thompson, City Clerk Fitzpatrick, Consulting Water Engineer Edmonston. COUNTY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO: Present - Jessie Drake, Roland Gates, Alton Lee, Fred Kimball., COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: Dixon Conrad, Dick Gallagher, A. L. Beltrami, Robert Born, Ned Rogoway,.Jim Ash. Chairman Drake opened the meeting by stating the purpose of the meeting was to resolve problems of mutual concern and that this was very important consider- ing the size and tremendous growth of the County in recent years. Mayor Davidson stated that development of water resources is the most important item to:face as the community cannot function without adequate water facilities. He further stated that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the application of the new permit for withdrawal of water from the Santa Margarita Lake. As the present permit did not take into consideration overnight camping, and the Board of Supervisors voted inffavor of overnight camping on July 17, 1961., the City and County should review this application to make a proper application to the State Board of Health,; so the recreation facility could operate legally. The City has submitted several suggested standards that might be applied to the operation of the facility. Mayor Davidson then read paragraph 7627 of Title 17, after which discussion was held on the items submitted for discussion. Item 1. .Prior to filing the application, the maximum number of persons permitted on the property should be agreed upon by the City, County, and State Health Department. Mr. Gallagher said that at the present time, no more than 66 camping units are admitted to the lake. As other camping units are developed which would meet the requirements of the State Board of Health, additional facilities could be utilized. He stated that Vaca Flat and White Oak Flat have been closed and that no camping is allowed. In answer to a question by Mayor Davidson, Supervisor Gates stated that the appli- cation could state that we have a certain number of camping units at the present time, with a projected capacity of a certain amount. Then, if the projected capacity were exceeded, a new application would have to be filed. Chairman Drake asked the City's feelings relative to the maximum number of. people allowed and whether limitations should be placed on this number. Mayor Davidson replied that he did not think it would be wise at the present rime to expand the use of the facility from a recreational standpoint due to LJ 1 the amount of water involved. The water has receded until it is next to impossible to get a boat in or out. He further stated that this item could be considered under Item 2, which requires weekly reports to be made to the Health Department recording the lake level. At present, the water level is down to 200 days retention time,'based.:on present usage. It had been suggested that if the lake recedes to 100 days retention time for normal use, the facility should be closed to all recreation; therefore, under present conditions, recreation should be limited to a certain number of people. General discussion was held regarding increased public usage due to a large number of people utilizing the camp during the day. It was decided that large increases would generally occur over a long weekend and would not be true over a projected period of time. Over -night campers are only at the lake approximately four months out-of the year. Supervisor Lee stated that he was in favor of establishing a minimum and maximum number of campers, as the County and people owning concessions could not afford to keep the facility open for 6nly a few people. Chairman Drake suggested that standards be set which could later be re- evaluated and adjusted according to existing conditions. In answer to Supervisor Kimball's question, Mr. Williams stated that at the present time the facility is utilizing an estimated SO% of its capacity. When the water level is low, he explained, people do not use the lake as much as if which can it were normal. Supervisor Chairman Drake asked if there were any objection to agreeing that public usage Department should be cut off when the water -level reached 100 days retention time. There population allowable in the camping was no objection, and it was so agreed. levels at General discussion was held regarding increased public usage due to a large number of people utilizing the camp during the day. It was decided that large increases would generally occur over a long weekend and would not be true over a projected period of time. Over -night campers are only at the lake approximately four months out-of the year. Supervisor Lee stated that he was in favor of establishing a minimum and maximum number of campers, as the County and people owning concessions could not afford to keep the facility open for 6nly a few people. Chairman Drake suggested that standards be set which could later be re- evaluated and adjusted according to existing conditions. The motion was seconded -by Supervisor Kimball and approved. Item 2. Weekly reports should be made to the State Health Department recording the lake level. The detention time in the portion of the lake closed to the public would then be determined. A minimum detention time should be determined, and the reservoir and water shed should be closed to public use if this minimum were reached. It was agreed that this had been discussed under Item 1. Item 3. San Luis Obispo County Sanitarians should inspect all facilities two times per week and take samples of the raw water once each week, and a full report of findings submitted to the State Health Department and City of San Luis Obispo each week. After discussion, it was agreed that samples should be taken at a minimum of once each week as long as the area is open to recreation. Item 4. Only chemical toilets should be. installed within the drainage area 1 and the contents thereof removed to an approved area. Mr. Williams stated that this recommendation should have a provision for a future sewage system whereby effluent could be pumped out of the drainage area. Supervisor Kimball stated that approval would be automatic if such a system were to be considered at a later date. Mr. Gallagher stated that a recommendation as to camping capacity had been made', and that because the White Oak Flat and Vaca Flat areas are not open to camping, the present number of camping units is approaching the maximum number which can feasibly be used in this area. Supervisor Lee made a motion that the Public Works Department, County Health Department and City Water Superintendent determine.the maximum number of camp sites and population allowable in the camping units, depending upon the water levels at various periods of time. The motion was seconded -by Supervisor Kimball and approved. Item 2. Weekly reports should be made to the State Health Department recording the lake level. The detention time in the portion of the lake closed to the public would then be determined. A minimum detention time should be determined, and the reservoir and water shed should be closed to public use if this minimum were reached. It was agreed that this had been discussed under Item 1. Item 3. San Luis Obispo County Sanitarians should inspect all facilities two times per week and take samples of the raw water once each week, and a full report of findings submitted to the State Health Department and City of San Luis Obispo each week. After discussion, it was agreed that samples should be taken at a minimum of once each week as long as the area is open to recreation. Item 4. Only chemical toilets should be. installed within the drainage area 1 and the contents thereof removed to an approved area. Mr. Williams stated that this recommendation should have a provision for a future sewage system whereby effluent could be pumped out of the drainage area. Supervisor Kimball stated that approval would be automatic if such a system were to be considered at a later date. Mr. Gallagher said that all toilets are not chemical toilets in the lake area at the present time. In some isolated areas, p1t privies are in use, as chemi- cal toiltes would have to be drained and the contents removed across the lake.' Councilman Graves asked if approval could be given to the existing pit privies with the understanding that future installations of this nature would be pro- hibited.' Mr. Gallagher stated that he had received a letter from the Health Department regarding suggested standards on this matter, but that the letter did not dis- cuss this particular point. Councilman Graves suggested the use of pit privies could be tied in with the allowable population. He said that these privies had been approved by the Health department prior to'the increased number of campers in the area. At the present time, there are 42 chemical toilets in the area. Supervisor Lee made a motion that a recommendation be made to install only chemi- cal toilets or other approved facilities, approved by the State Health Department on a periodical basis in ratio to the population in the area at the time. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Kimball and approved. Item 5. A regular algae control program should be instituted at once in sufficient quantity to stop the growth as now exists in the lake. Mr. Edmonston, consultant for the City, was asked for comments regarding methods of controlling algae, and stated that most areas control algae by the application of copper sulphate, which is common in reservoirs which discharge water into a City system, even though going through water treatment between points of supply and consumption. At Whale Rock, there was a budget item of $2,000 for cost of chemicals, a boat and a chemical spreader. Mr. Edmonston then read excerpts from Section 5.312 of the Health and Safety Code regarding'control of algae:. Mr. Born said he had received a communication from Mr. Peterson, who recently retired from the Los Angeles Department of Light and Power, regarding cost of control. In the letter, Mr. Peterson stated that copper sulphate introduced into the water in quantities sufficient to control growth of algae would, in all probability, kill the fish in the lake. Mr. Graves of the Taxpayer's Association, stated that algae is a recognized nuisance to filtration plants. However, it was his understanding that the fishing program was an important recreational asset, and algae is necessary for the growth of fish. Algae further acts asa purifying agent for water. Mr. Graves wished to know the reasons for controlling growth of algae when it is necessary for fishing recreation. Mr. Thompson stated that there are a number of water heaters being clogged in the City, and a number of bath -tubs becoming stained, and that the cost of treat- ing algae in the fake would be cheaper than continuing to back -wash the filters. Mr. Williams suggested that a cost study be made to determine the feasibility of a filtration plant on the other side of the lake for control of algae rather than having a large expenditure for copper sulphate, which would destroy the fishing on the lake, and stated that it was possible this could be subsidized by the Government. Mr. Gallagher stated that'the Army had a problem at its intake service recently, which is stocked with bass and.trout. The method of treatment was granulated carbon, which had no ill effects on the fish. Discussion was held on the possibility of the City being reimbursed for any additional expenditures for algae control. It was decided that the City should apply to the Government to have the lake algae control program included in their operational budget so the water.could be treated prior to entering the intake. Supervisor Kimball suggested the City write a letter to the Board of Supervisors regarding this matter, and the letter would be referred to the County Director of Public Works for study and recommendations. Item 6. At all times (24 hours per day) there should be at least one patrol- man on duty and actively patrolling the grounds and lake. Mr. Conrad Stated that the operational plan envisions closing the facility to overnight campers in the fall, and there would be one patrolman on active duty at all times when overnight camping is allowed in the area. Mr. Gallagher discussed present regulations regarding methods of patrolling the area, and stated that his office was preparing a report for submission in the near future to the State Department of Public Health, which will have a detailed statement as to how the lake patrol fundtions, including County standards and requirements for patrolmen's performance, and official duties. He further stated that when this report is received by the State Health De- partment, a meeting will be scheduled with the Water Purveyor and the San Luis Obispo County Health Department, to go over the report and make recommendations back to the Board of Supervisors. Item 7. During daylight hours, at least two patrolmen should be on duty and one additional patrolman for every 150 people or any portion thereof over 300. Mr. Gallagher discussed the Health Department requirements regarding number of patrolmen and the times when patrolmen must be on the lake. He stated that at the time the Health Department discusses the report on this matter with the City, the City could make other recommendations if it felt that the standards presently in use are inadequate. Item 8. A study should be made by the County and a detailed plan of posting of regulations submitted to the City for its approval as soon as possible. Mr. Gallagher stated that his report will cover proposed methods of posting regulations, and that methods will be in accordance with the provisions of Title 17. ' Item 9. Each person entering the property should be required tb register and acknowledge receipt of printed regulations. Mr. Gallagher explained that campers check in at time of entering the facility and are given the regulations for the park at that time. He further stated that there are no provisions for checking out of the camp grounds. Mayor Davidson inquired as to the advisability of having a checking out pro- cedure established to insure that no one is left in the camp area. Chairman Drake stated tla t a check could be made of the number of persons entering and leaving the park. Item 10.E The City of San Luis Obispo should be reimbursed by the County for any extra treatment costs incurred by the City and demonstrated to be attributable to the recreational uses of the lake. It was agreed that this item was discussed along with Item 5. Item 11. A weekly clean -up of the watershed area should be made by the "County to prevent waste and debris from accumulating and washing into the lake. Discussion was not held on this matter, as a clean -up program is presently in effect. Item 12. The Board of Supervisors should adopt or continue in effect any ordinances necessary to regulate the use of the area and to prevent pollution or contamination. It was agreed that any ordinances in effect regulating the use of the area could continue in effect. Item 13. The island near the log boom should be closed to public access and should be posted to prevent trespassing. In answer to questioning by Chairman Drake, Mr. Gallagher stated that it had been recommended to close the island permanently to access, but that the recommendation had not been included at this time. He stated that there is a barbed wire fence running through the middle of the island. Discussion was held on penalties for trespassing into the area. Mr. Gallagher then stated that the Army has leased the north shore area to cattle raisers, and the City might consider writing the Army and ask them to require a fence ten feet above the high water line in order to minimize the possibility of pollution. The County Health Department has stated any fence should be ten feet above the high water line but could not take action on the matter as it is an Army lease. Supervisor Kimball suggested that this could be incorporated into the regulations. , Mayor Davidson stated that the City would withdraw its objection to limited access on the island if it could be adequately patrolled and if signs were posted. Item 14. The white Oak Flat Road should be closed to public access. No camping should be permitted in either White Oak Flat or Vaca Flat. In answer to Mayor Davidson's question, Mr. Gallagher stated that the Health Department had recommended that no camping be allowed in this area, and that the area was closed at the present time. However, it was not indicated that the road would be permanently closed, but should be closed until the proper facilities were available in accordance with the general plan for the area and in further accordance with the provisions of Title 17. Chairman Drake asked if the proper safeguards were made under Title 17, would the City agree to permit overnight camping in these areas. Mayor Davidson stated that this item should not be considered in the present application, but that a review be made of the proposal and plans submitted at the time funds are requested for facilities. Item 15. The ratio of toilets should be at least one toilet for each sea for each ten campsites, and adequate facilities for general public use should be installed elsewhere within the drainage area. Discussion was not held on this item, as this requirement is presently being enforced. Item 16. Trailer houses or mobile camper units with toilet facilities should not be allowed within the area. Chairman Drake stated that 30% of new house trailers and campers are equipped with toilet facilities, and that there should be some way of sealing these sanitary facilities to preclude their use while in the camp ground. Mayor Davidson suggested that an investigation be made of possible methods of sealing these facilities. Item 17. The County should agree to hold the City harmless from any liability damage or claims of damage resulting from recreational use of the reservoir area. Supervisor Gates stated that this should be investigated and if it is not in- cluded in the County's liability policy, it should be spelled out. It was decided that the City should request a second joint meeting with the Board of Supervisors at such time as the City had received the County's report and make recommendations, in order to resolve any problems or questions which remain. --------------- The meeting was adjourned on motion of Supervisor Kimball at 12:35 P..M. cc: City Council Board of Supervisors Jim Ash - D. A. Office Approved this 21st day of August, 1961. Pon