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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-08-16 Stormwater Management Oversight Committee Summary Minutes Storm Water Management Oversight Committee 1 MINUTES: Wednesday, August 16, 2018 Special Meeting Embarcadero Room, Rinconada Library 1:00 PM Committee Members Present: David Bower, Peter Drekmeier, Marilyn Keller, Hal Mickelson, Dena Mossar Committee Members Absent: Bob Wenzlau, Richard Whaley Staff Present: Michelle Austin, Maybo AuYeung, Phil Bobel, Pam Boyle-Rodriguez, Michel Jeremias, Gina Magliocco, Isabel Zacharzuk Call to Order: 1:10pm Oral Communications: David Carnahan from Palo Alto City Clerk’s office shared upcoming recruitment for Architecture Review Board, Parks and Recreation Commission, and Planning and Transportation Commission, asked committee members to reach out to potential candidates. Also invited committee members to attend the 2018 Board and Commission Member Recognition Event and Evening Reception on October 24. Old Business Chairperson Mickelson talked about the draft minutes for the April 18, 2018 meeting and August 8, 2018 meeting. After discussion, Mossar moved to approve the minutes in condition to edits discussed. Bower seconded. All in Favor. AuYeung reported on two unanswered questions from last meeting, confirmed that the debt obligation ($947/year) of the fund will end after last payment in FY2024, and that the PAUSD pays a SWM fee as part of their Utilities bills. Keller had a question on quantifying or identifying cost savings from stormwater treatment or GSI elements on storm drain system projects. Jeremias explained GSI elements could treat stormwater of a 2-year storm while storm drain infrastructure could treat a 10-year storm event. It would cost more to install impermeable pavement & GSI but could help lessen need 2 August 16, 2018 for some infrastructure (e.g. linear feet of pipe or number of inlets, etc.) Keller emphasized we should be giving ourselves credit for cost saving initiatives. Drekmeier asked what was considered treatment of stormwater, Jeremias explained that could include filtration through soil to stop oil, cigarette filters, etc. as well as capturing trash by catch basin, to avoid runoffs and pollutants from entering waterways. New Business 1. Committee Discussion Regarding Storm Water Management Fund Budget Process AuYeung would like the committee members to brainstorm and share ideas on tasks or projects that they would like staff to include in FY2020, which staff could incorporate into the development of the FY20 budget. Bobel elaborated that staff wants to include the committee’s input going forward, on operating (mostly GSI) and could also comment on the order of CIPs, if any. Mossar suggested staff to look for innovative ways to incorporate GSI in upcoming projects, e.g. traffic/transportation related projects. Hal asked if landscaped area at the center of a roundabout permeable. Jeremias stated some are, but some are not due to limitations to infiltration e.g. utilities infrastructure is in the road. We could possibly direct rainwater but may not be able to infiltrate rainwater. Public Works Staff has been in discussion with the Office of Transportation to include GSI wherever possible. Ross road project included GSI features, however the project is currently on hold. Mossar clarified there are pros and cons working with big projects like Ross Rd, and suggested staff to start in smaller places and install GSI features on a smaller basis but all around the City, e.g. Lincoln and Middlefield. Jeremias were working with Transportation to incorporate GSI at different pocket of areas in the project site. Bower highlighted features at Middlefield and Kellogg that could be installed at other locations. There is potential where appropriate GSI installation could be a cost saving for the overall transportation project cost. Mossar suggested we do a GSI demo site on a non-major street to prove workarounds could be done when limitations were identified. Bower suggested Storm fund to pay into projects where GSI feature such as a corner filter to incentivize transportation or other departments to include GSO features. Boyle- Rodriguez encouraged residents/community who support GSI to show support to Transportation. 3 August 16, 2018 Members suggested, as a committee, we could send memos/letters to council to show support in installing GSI features in the City. The committee would formulate a letter, circulate for comments, then authorize the chair to sign on behalf of the committee. And a regular agenda item to be added to meetings to accumulate ideas to prepare such communication from the committee to Council. Bobel mentioned an opportunity to schedule Council study session along with the one for the GSI plan. Drekmeier and Bower suggested installing permeable gutters as a pilot in sections of streets with low traffic, minimal parking and bike usage, and the SWM fee could help fund it as part of a planned project. Mossar suggested coordinating with street repair projects to look for near term potential locations, e.g. Lincoln and Emerson. 2. Staff Update on Matadero Pump Station Progress AuYeung and Jeremias showed pictures of existing pump column, new pump column to be installed, electrical building, and a video of the installation of the pump column. Jeremias stated the differences between the old pumps and the new pumps. The life of the column could reach 50 years, where the motors are the part that needs more frequent maintenance and replacement. 3. Staff Update on Green Stormwater Infrastructure 50% Plan Zacharzuk updated committee on the GSI plan development. • 50% plan completed with staff comments from different departments, staff is working on the 85% plan. Implementation of the GSI plan is separated out to emphasize the significance. • Staff is also drafting an update to the stormwater municipal code. • 85% plan will include an implementation plan, pollution reduction tracking system, funding strategies, etc. • Showed a GSI Utilities bill insert. Members commented to emphasize the text “Funded by your monthly SWM Fee” or similar language in future to highlight the work done on GSI. • As directed by members, staff worked with PAUSD to identify GSI potentials and existing features. Staff is now connected with PAUSD staff to continue coordination for future projects. • Santa Clara County is hosting 2 public meetings on the regional Stormwater Resource Plan (SWRP). Boyle-Rodriguez updated the committee on the Palo Alto Concept Project submitted to the SWRP. • Showed map of Bol Park and stormwater shed area, and mentioned treatment examples including bioretention area and underground storage tanks. It can potentially be a demo project. 4 August 16, 2018 • 201 projects were identified in Palo Alto as potential GSI projects. Staff is using this list to leverage with City CIP projects, coordinate with project managers to incorporate GSI features into planned projects. Mossar shared observation that leaves are blown away along Embarcadero, soil in landscaped area is hardened and thus become impermeable, suggested staff to potentially change maintenance practices. Boyle-Rodriguez described tree well filters that are currently planned to be installed outside of the Public Safety Building. It fulfills Urban Forestry requirements while considered as a GSI feature. GSI Plan development timeline indicates the draft 85% Plan is estimated to complete in October/ November 2018. A meeting will be set up to go over the plan with the members. 4. Next Meeting Next meeting will be a longer meeting in mid-December, with main agenda items to be draft letter to Council, and staff update and committee discussion regarding GSI 85% plan. Adjournment: 2:45pm by Chairperson Mickelson.