HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/24/1982City Council Minutes
Tuesday, August 24, 1982 - 7:00 p.m.
Page 2
acquisition and have a severe impact on the properties along the creek.
With this information, George Nolte was hired by the City Council to
re- evaluate the alternatives. He prepared summaries of the impact of
providing for 25 -, 50 -, and 100 -year levels of protection along San Luis
Creek from its confluence with Stenner Creek just above Marsh Street to
the sewer farm where the creek was widened to handle a 100 -year storm.
On February 13, 1981, he made his report to the City Council and the
City Council directed him to prepare a final report for them using a
50 -year criteria. Council also agreed that while most of the creek
would be an earth -lined channel with gabions where necessary to prevent
erosion, concrete lining would be necessary to prevent the relocation of
the mausoleum and the freeway. Staff recommended at the City Council
meeting of March 8, 1982, that written public testimony and City Council
comments be forwarded to the consultant for inclusion in the final
environmental document. At the March 24, 1982, study session Mr. Jim
Schaaf of George S. Nolte and Associates made a presentation to the City
Council on the history and extent of flooding, including alternatives
such as structural, nonstructural, floodproofing, insurance, and land -use
control.
Mayor Billig opens the study session with the introduction of Dr. James
Schaaf, representing George S. Nolte and Associates. Wayne Peterson,
City Engineer, does not wish to make any preliminary comments.
Councilman Griffin comments on the series of presentations that have
been undertaken by staff with this consultant.,, _
Councilman Dunin was. concerned about the accumu- latitig costs of these . _
efforts; and- requests - someone, summarize "-what is expected _to._be accom-.
plished - through these series of meetings.
Paul Lanspery, City Administrative Officer, explaines this particular
meeting will focus on answering questions which the City Council has
' been polled on to determine what future issues needed to be addressed at
the final study session.
Mayor Billig comments that a final decision is hoped to be reached by
the middle of September instructing staff and the consultant to move
ahead with the project before the rainy season. .Mayor Billig states the
meeting is a study session with additional background information to
bring the City Council up to date in order for them to arrive at a
decision for an overall program for the city; this study session will
hot be a public hearing and no public comments will be taken, however,
any-written or oral comments will be greatly appreciated by the City
Council.
Dr. James Schaaf begins his presentation with reference to a booklet
which has been distributed to the City Council and staff entitled, "City
of San Luis Obispo, City Council Study Session on Flood Control Planning,
August 24, 1982." This booklet contains photocopies of all materials
which will be presented on the overhead projector during the meeting and
is included in these minutes by this reference. Dr. Schaff additionally
points out that his presentation will be following the outline which is
attached to this evening's agenda entitled, "Scope of Services," which
is also included in these minutes by this reference. Dr. Schaaf uses
wall maps to illustrate the existing channel capacity; "tight spots,"
present flood plain, watershed, and what contributes to flooding in the
city of San Luis Obispo. At this time, Dr. Schaaf explains the present
flood plain, hydrology parameters, and design discharges with the
assistance of the first and second overhead projections.
Councilman Settle questions whether the "lag time" (how long it takes
the water to reach the bottom of the watershed) in Sub -Basin R would
change due to ground coverage. Dr. Schaff .responds that these figures
would vary due to the roughness, which will be explained in depth near
the conclusion of the study session.
City Council Minutes
Tuesday, August 24, 1982 - 7:00 p.m.
Page 3
Dr. Schaaf continues with explanation of overhead projections 3 and 4
involving previously reported flood damage.
Councilman Settle questions whether these figures are confusing damages
with clean up, which Dr. Schaff assures were all included in the total
damage figures.
Dr. Schaaf continues with explanation of overhead projections 5, 6, 7,
8, and 9 relating to damages to residential, commercial, industrial
properties, and current insurance rates.
Councilman Settle questions whether the insurance rates would fluxuate
with the flood type, which Dr. Schaaf replies negatively. Construction
built prior to 1978 would rely on the subsidized rates.
Councilman Dunin questions whether the base used by- residents for
figuring the amount of insurance needed on their home to be the cost of
present damage or the cost of actual construction.
John Ashbaugh, of MDW Associates, questions whether a certain amount of
insurance is required on construction.
Dr. Schaaf continues with overhead projections 10 and 11 illustrating
current insurance rates commenting that insurance protection coverage
would only include the structure and contents; the current deductible is
$500.
Councilman Griffin requests Dr. Schaaf reiterate his previous comments
with regard to the wall map showing the current flood plain and to .;
define in detail the "tight spots." Councilman Griffin questions
whether these "tight spots" were specified in the environmental assess-
ment. Councilman Griffin requests a report from Dr. Schaaf identifying
the "tight spots" and the nature or cause of each. Dr. Schaaf explains
that generally these "tight spots" are caused by a small channel.
Councilman Griffin questions whether there were any particular restric-
tions, which Dr. Schaaf comments could be due to the culvert or Marsh
Street Bridge.
Councilman Settle questions the erosion factors and whether trees may
cause blockage.
Councilman Griffin questions whether increasing the up- stream capacity
as a priority would have on mitigating the upstream as it would be more
effective if up- stream capacity could be increased to alleviated the
watershed to the downstream.
Mayor Billig comments, by preventing flooding up stream, more water
would be diverted down stream causing more flooding.
Councilman Griffin continues that by increasing the velocity up stream
would likely cause a back up at critical points down stream.
Councilman Settle comments on the concept of a catch basin or diversion.
John Ashbaugh, of MDW Associates, questions comments in the Environmental
Impact Report on reducing velocity, which Dr. Schaaf replies would be
alleviated by widening the channel.
Dave Romero, Public Services Director, stated that the city has two
major flow restrictions, one significant location behind Cuesta Park
which is extremely beneficial to the city.
Dr. Schaaf concludes his presentation on existing conditions - -flood
plains, damages, and insurance - -and continues with his presentation of
solution types.
Mayor Billig requests Dr. Schaaf to be explicit with his presentation in
these areas to include engineering, planning, and management solutions.
City Council Minutes
Tuesday, August 24, 1982 - 7:00 p.m.
Page 4
Councilman Griffin questions the municipalities' obligation in the
management of this property risk.
Mayor Billig continues, before getting into the specific policies of
individuals and entities, it is best to deal with the objectives to
those solutions in order to provide the City Council with a different
perspective.
1 It is the opinion of Mayor Billig that the further away from emotional
issues the City Council became the easier the City Council could look at
the project objectively.
Dr. Schaaf continues with his presentation on nonstructural solutions to
eliminate the risk or occurrence and to deal with the issue as a natural
process. The Flood Insurance Act is a federal act dealing with insurance
compensation in the flood -plain area. Dr. Schaaf explains.land -use
controls to prohibit construction in the flood way or construction
commensurate with the flood risk.
9:05 p.m. Mayor Billig declared a recess. 9:15 p.m. City Council
reconvened, Councilwoman Dovey absent.
Councilman Griffin questions what kind of process public entities should
engage in to address the fact that they are trying to protect the
sensitivity of the area and lesser the risk for potential damage. Dr.
Schaaf replies that programs center around the creation of a citizen
advisory committee to monitor the flood -plain area. Mr. Griffin continues
to question how would the public entities address a conflict of the risk
while protecting the area and whether they can be put on a balance. Dr.
Schaaf replies that the decision would remain with the decision maker- -each
person's view. of the environment or the people they serve.
Dr. Schaaf continues his presentation on Zone 9 Master Plan with the
assistance of overhead projection 12, 13, and 14, stating that basically
Zone 9 employs nonstructural means to prevent a problem from occurring.
Councilman Dunin questions whether these damage figures only apply to
the cost of replacement or to- inconvenience and fear. As Dr. Schaaf
replies negatively, - Councilman :Dunin continues to express the city's
obligation to its citizens to address this issue of punative damages- -
damages to health - -and not the economics of the issue.
Dr. Schaaf continues his presentation on economics with overhead projec-
tions 15 and 16 relating to flood damage mitigation benefits and project
alteratives. Level of protection has been recommended by the City
Council to be for 50 years or the same as an under -city culvert.
Councilman Griffin questions maintenance (overhead projection 17) and
why maintenance was not mentioned as being a component of nonstructional
solutions. Dr. Schaaf replies that maintenance is more of a structural
solution due to the construction involved.
Councilman Settle comments on the erosion factors.
Councilman Dunin questions various aspects of economics to aesthetics,
and whether reactions were received regarding cultivated or bare gabians.
Dr. Schaaf reaches the conclusion of his presentation concerning elements
' of a nonstructural plan with overhead projections 22 through 28, flood -
proofing alternatives.
Councilman Settle expresses his summary of this study session on flood
control to be nonstructural areas may provide enough stream retention,
keeping the stream basin the way it is, that the stream remain maintained
in a nonstructural effect; this is the most economical way to go and
would perhaps keep the aesthetic value -- nonstructural alternatives with
the focused area on a maintenance plan to keep the area from obstructing
City Council Minutes
Tuesday, August 24, 1982 - 7:00 p.m.
Page 5
the stream's flow. Dr. Schaaf concludes in promoting floodproofing and
recommends the City Council should continue to consider a plan for the
future and start moving toward that plan.
John Ashbaugh of MDW Associates questions designated floodways.
Wayne Peterson states that the original maps that came to the city did
have floodways, but flood insurance officials changed their minds when
they found out about the development there.
Councilman Griffin comments on controls of future development.
Mayor Billig adjourned the meeting at 10:00 p.m. to closed session to
discuss personnel /litigation matters. 11:00 p.m. City Council reconvened
in regular session, Councilwoman Dovey absent.
There being no further business to come before the City Council Mayor
Billig adjourned the meeting at 11:05 p.m. to Monday, August 30, 1982 at
12:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted.by'
D. K. Rowlee, Council Secretary
P mela Voges, Ci erk
APPROVED BY COUNCIL: 9/21/82
M I N U T E S '
ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
MONDAY, AUGUST 30, 1982 - 12:10 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 990 PALM STREET
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA
STUDY SESSION
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers
Present: Ron Dunin, Robert Griffin, Allen Settle and Mayor Melanie
C. Billig
Absent: GlennaDeane Dovey
City Staff
Present: Paul Lanspery, City Administrative Officer; Geoff Grote,
Assistant Administrative Officer; Pamela Voges, City
Clerk; Toby Ross, Community Development Director; Wayne
Peterson, City Engineer; Rudy Muravez, Finance Director;
Don Englert, Police Captain
A -1 FOOTHILL /CHORRO /SANTA ROSA STORM DRAIN
Wayne Peterson, City Engineer, explained that in August of 1982 during
construction of a storm drain on Foothill Blvd. the contractor had
located a 4 -inch sewer lateral which extended from the adjacent shopping
center to a 6 -inch sewer main located 15 feet southerly of the storm