HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/09/1973;1
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Roll Call
Present
City Staff
MINUTES
ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA
February 9, 1973 - 12:25 p.m.
Council Chambers, City Hall
Emmons Blake, John C. Brown, Myron Graham, T. Keith
Gurnee, Kenneth E. Schwartz
Present: R. D. Miller, City Administrator; J. H. Fitzpatrick,
City Clerk; A. J. Shaw, Jr., City Attorney; R. Young,
Planning Director; D. F. Romero, City Engineer;
P. Landell, Engineer's Office
1. City Council discussed the proposed emergency Ordinance No. 575
(1973 Series), an urgency ordinance of the City of San Luis Obispo pro-
hibiting building construction and grading work in flooded and flood
prone areas and adjacent to waterways pending review of need for additional
land use controls in said areas.
A. J. Shaw, Jr., City Attorney, again reviewed the provisions of Ordinance
No. 575, and the City Council then reviewed Exhibit A, a map showing the
major flood areas during the January 108, 1973 flood, and areas indicated
on the General Plan as flood prone, and Exhibit B showing the waterways
within the City of San Luis Obispo.
On motion of Mayor Schwartz, seconded by Councilman Gurnee, that Exhibit
A as presented be adopted. Motion carried.
City Engineer Romero stated that the Planning Department.drainage map
was inaccurate, showing some creeks which no longer existed and not
showing others of substantial importance.
On motion of Councilman Gurnee, seconded by Councilman Graham, that
the City Council adopt Exhibit B, the map of the Planning Commission
showing creeks and waterways to be considered under the provisions of
the ordinance, and adopt emergency Ordinance No. 575, with Exhibits A
and B. Motion carried on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmen Brown, Graham, Gurnee, and Mayor Schwartz
NOES: Councilman Blake
ABSENT: None
City Engineer Romero was requested to bring back a corrected drainage map
for Exhibit B.
2. A. J. Shaw, Jr., City Attorney, again reviewed for the City
Council the third draft of the urgency ordinance which would add to the
Municipal Code an abatement procedure for dangerous obstructions in
streambeds during the rainy season.
He defined for the City Council what was meant by dangerous obstruction,
the various seasons, and subcommittee that would be enforcing the
ordinance.
Harold Field, Oceanaire Drive, suggested that the City Council should
consider removing the row of eucalyptus trees on the east side of the
outlet south of Madonna Road because he felt that if they were to fall
during a storm, they would block the drainage channels, and felt for
safety's sake they should be removed.
City Council Minutes
February 9, 1973
Page 2
On motion of Councilman Gurnee, seconded by Councilman Graham, Ordinance
No. 576, an urgency ordinance of the City of San Luis Obispo adding to
the Municipal Code an ordinance for the abatement of dangerous obstruc-
tions in streambeds during the rainy season, was introduced and finally
passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmen Blake, Brown, Graham, Gurnee and Mayor
Schwartz
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
On motion of Mayor Schwartz, seconded by Councilman Brown, that the
City Council forward the two urgency ordinances to the County of San
Luis Obispo to the attention of the County Supervisors. Motion carried
unanimously.
Mayor Schwartz, under the authority of the urgency Ordinance No. 576,
appointed the following as members of the obstruction abatement com-
mittee: Councilmen Brown and Gurnee, and Dr. Brown.
3. R. A. Paul, Director of the Water Department, submitted a
letter to the City Council warning that if an emergency procedure is
adopted which would breach the Madonna Road embankment at Laguna Lake
in order to allow the free flow of water from the lake downstream, that
the Council should be aware and make some provisions to protect the
waterline running along Madonna Road and under the outlet works. The
entire municipal water supply for the residential development in the
Los Osos Valley is provided to a water main beneath this embankment,
and a breach of the embankment and uncontrolled erosion could result
in the destruction of this vital link in the municipal water distribution
system.
Steve Kennedy presented the City Council a proposal that he felt would
be a long -range flood control plan for the .San Luis Obispo creek and
tributary system. His idea was to hire part -time students such as the
Youth Corps in a great number and have them clean the creeks prior to
future flooding and to alleviate flooding.
Communications from Robert S. Garinq, Jr., stating that during the last
rain storm on January 18, 1973, he felt that the area where he lives
had a tremendous downpour, and to the best of his knowledge would be
considered a 100 -year storm. He said that he felt that nearly ten inches
of rain fell at his home within a 24 -hour period between 7:00 p.m.,
January 17 to 7:00 p.m., January 18, 1973, which this also qualified
for a 100 -year storm classification.
The Council received a communication from San Luis Mill and Lumber
Company thanking the Council for having some men working in the area
behind their lumber yard clearing debris and pruning growth and also
clearing up trash left after the recent flood. They felt that the
only way the City could protect the property owners was by a constant
clean -up of the drainage areas.
4. D. F. Romero, City Engineer, presented sketches of proposals
which would attempt to develop a dip or swale in Madonna Road, east
of the existing drain culvert from Laguna Lake. The bottom of the dip
would be at elevation 124' feet, which would be 3.4 feet lower than
the existing top of the culvert on the road. It was:his opinion that
his proposal would not affect the waterline under the existing culvert.
He estimated the cost of the dip or swale to be $16,000, but no cost
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City Council Minutes
February 9, 1973
Page 3
for right -of -way. It was also his opinion that this work should not
be done as he did not feel that the City would receive rain in the
volume experienced on January 12, 1973 during this rainy season, and
the detriment to traffic flow would be serious. The City Council dis-
cussed the Engineer's proposal as presented for deepening or removing
a portion of the roadway north of the Madonna Road outlet works.
Councilman Graham felt that for a small expense this was a good answer
which would give the people in the area some feeling of relief and
security that the City was attempting to alleviate the problems.
Councilman Gurnee stated that he did not feel this was a solution,
that it would cause new problems on the lower side as it relieved the
upper side. He felt that other primary improvements should be made
that would be a proper development.
Councilman Blake objected to the proposal due to the cost involved and
further the fact that it would not be a proper solution to the flooding
problem. He urged the City Council to authorize a third barrel on the
culvert.
Councilman Brown did not feel that this proposal would be a permanent
solution so he felt that a more permanent solution should be adopted
as it would relieve houses above the culvert from flooding but not
those houses below the outlet which were now in jeopardy of additional
flooding.
Mrs. Silacci' Laguna Lake, told the City Council that if the City built
the swale, she felt the area would be isolated and would be cut off
from support from the City. She hoped that the Council would take
a look at the feasibility of getting federal flood insurance from the
federal government and further try to make a permanent solution to
the drainage problems in Laguna Lake.
H. Field, Oceanaire Drive, urged the City Council to proceed with the
installation of the third barrel on Madonna Road and also to place a
drain from the north side of Oceanaire directly into the Oceanaire
ditch. He urged the City Council not to place additional water from
Laguna Lake area into the outlet as the houses south of- Madonna would
then be flooded. He again asked the City Council to take out the
trees along the drainage property east of the drainage outlet owned
by Dalidio so that.the ditch could be widened and deepened so that it
could carry sufficient water. He urged only that permanent improvements
be put in and not temporary or small improvements.
Councilman Graham asked whether the residents of Laguna Lake felt that
temporary proposals would alleviate their fear of flooding.
Mrs. Diana Lane, 1103 Madonna Road, urged action by the Council but
permanent solutions, not temporary ones.
Mr. Gross, 1954 Oceanaire Drive, was also opposed to temporary solutions
to problems in the Laguna Lake area. He felt that any problems or any
solutions should be those of a permanent nature.
Mrs. Bond, 1737 Oceanaire Drive, was opposed to the proposal of a
swale or dip in Madonna Road as'suggested, as she felt this would just
extend the damage to the south side of Madonna Road and would not be a
permanent solution. -
Mr. Burkett asked the Engineer various questions dealing with the flow
of water and wondered if the proposal to put in a ditch, dip or swale
would really help the residents north and south of Madonna Road.
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City Council Minutes
February 9, 1973
Page 4
Mayor Schwartz also wondered if the culvert at Calle Joaquin and
101 freeway could handle additional flows south of Madonna Road.
John Kuden, representing the Dalidio
owners would be willing to cooperate
drainage problems.
Councilman Graham urged the City not
but hoped that the City.would procee
Councilman Brown was also opposed to
it would not solve the problem.
owners, stated that the property
with the City and County on
to proceed with the dip or swale
J with a permanent solution.
the dip or swale as he felt
Councilman Gurnee was opposed to the Swale or dip and hoped that the
Council would proceed with a permanent solution to the problem.
Councilman Blake was also opposed to the swale.or dip as proposed for
Madonna Road as he felt it would not solve the flooding.problem but
might increase problems further down the drainage channel. He urged
installation of the third barrel under Madonna Road to alleviate
flooding problems.
Mayor Schwartz stated that he was opposed to the proposal to put in
a swale or dip'in Madonna Road which he felt was only switching the
flooding danger from the north to the south side of the lake. He
suggested that the City should notify the State to immediately make
repairs to the Marsh Street bridge and Los Osos Valley Road structures
as they were dangerous and were a cause of flooding. He felt that the
Council should authorize the City Engineer to prepare a study of
Madonna Road culvert 1) to add the third barrel, 2) to investigate
whether the lowering of the road would be of any help, and 3) to
look into the bridge solution and removal of the culvert as was sug-
gested. He also suggested that the City Engineer be directed to make
a study of how deep and wide the channel south of Madonna Road should
be to handle storm water and also authorized the Engineer to make a
study to see what should be done to the structure at Calle Joaquin.
On motion of Mayor Schwartz, seconded by Councilman Brown, the follow-
ing reolution was introduced: RESOLUTION NO. 2420, a resolution of
the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo requesting the Board of
Supervisors to consider the adoption of ordinances to control construction
in flood prone areas and to expedite removal of obstructions from water-
ways after floods. Passed and adopted on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmen Blake, Brown, Graham, Gurnee, and•Mayor
Schwartz
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
On motion of Councilman Gurnee, seconded by Mayor Schwartz, the follow-
ing resolution was introduced: RESOLUTION NO. 2422, a resolution of
the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo requesting the California
Division of Highways to eliminate flood hazards created by State Highway
- bri "dges and culverts. Passed and adopted on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmen Blake, Brown, Graham, Gurnee, and Mayor
Schwartz
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
City Council Minutes
February 9, 1973
Page 5
On motion of Councilman Blake, seconded by Councilman Gurnee, that
the City Council reject the proposal to place a swale or dip in Madonna
Road east of the outlet works under the road for Laguna Lake. Motion
carried, Councilman Graham voting no.
5. The City Council adjourned to Executive Session.
6. The City Council adjourned to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, February 13,
1973 on motion of Councilman Brown, seconded by Councilman Blake.
APPROVED:
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F ATRICK, CITY CLERK