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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