HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-06-05 City Council (8)TO:
City of Palo Alto
City Manager’s. Report
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS 2
DATE:JUNE 5, 2000 CMR: 254:00
SUBJECT:APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE SANTA
CLARA VALLEY WATER DISTRICT’S CLEAN, SAFE CREEKS
AND NATURAL FLOOD PROTECTION PROGRAM
RECOMMENDATION
This report recommends that Council adopt the attached resolution in support of the
Santa Clara Valley. Water District’s Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection
Program.
BACKGROUND ’
The Santa Clara Valley Water District (District) is responsible for creek stewardship and
flood protection in Santa Clara County. Within the City of Palo Alto, the District has
jurisdiction over San Francisquito, Los Trancos, Matadero, Barton, Deer, Arastradero,
and Adobe Creeks and the Stanford Channel. The District funds its operations with
revenue from a portion of the secured property tax and a special voter-approved benefit
assessment. In accordance with the authorizing ballot measure, the benefit assessment
will sunset on June 30, 2000. The expiration of the benefit assessment will significantly
reduce the District’s revenue. The District has stated that, without replacement funding,
no new projects can be undertaken, maintenance of existing facilities would suffer, and
the level of flood protection would deteriorate.
DISCUSSION
In response to the loss of the benefit assessments, the District will place a measure on the
November 2000 ballot seeking voter approval of a Countyrwide special tax to fund a
revised flood protection and stream stewardship program. The District has been working
with community stakeholders, constituents, and customers over the past three years to
design a program that is reflective of local community values. The proposed program,
designated as the Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection Program, integrates
storm water quality protection, habitat preservation, and creation of open space and
recreation opportunities into the District’s traditional flood and erosion control functions.
The proposed special tax would have a 15-year term and would be collected and spent on
a County-wide basis. Palo Alto homeowners currently pay an annual benefit assessment
of $59. The benefit assessment will be reduced to $49 on June 30, 2000. (The District is
allowed to continue to collect a benefit assessment for outstanding debt service). The
CMR:YdOO00-Page 1 of 3
proposed special tax would be an additional $39 per year for homeowners (for a revised
total charge of $88 per year). The benefit assessment and special tax for other land uses
are based on parcel size. Specific benefits for Palo Alto residents and businesses-to be
funded by the special tax may include:
¯Planning and design for San Francisquito Creek flood protection
¯Removal of sediment from San Francisquito Creek (Staff has requested that the
District also include ongoing sediment removal from all Palo Alto creeks, particularly
reaches downstream of Highway 101, in its county-wide creek maintenance program).
¯Identification of and management of pollutants (including sediment and diazinon) in
local streams
¯Removal of litter and graffiti along stream corridors
¯Participation in habitat restoration or enhancement and trail amenities along streams
Since the special tax will require a two-thirds majority for approval, community support
is critical to the success of the ballot measure. Greg Zlotnick, Chairman of the District
Board of Directors, has written a letter to Mayor Kniss seeking Council endorsement of
the proposed special tax and the Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection
Program (Attachment A). Staff has prepared a resolution of support for Council’s
consideration (Attachment B)~
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
This report does not contain any changes to existing policies.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
There is no environmental assessment required in conjunction with this report.
ATTACHMENTS "
Attachment A: Letter from Greg Zlotnick
Attachment B: Resolution
PREPARED BY: Joe Teresi, Senior Engineer
DEPARTMENT HEAD: ~ //~. ~
GLENN S. ROBERTS
Director of Public Works
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
EI~IILY HARRISON
Assistant City Manager
CMR:254:00 Page 2 of 3
co:Stan Williams, SCVWD
Director Greg Zlotnick, SCVWD Board of Directors
Jeffrey Shore, SCVWD Zone Advisory Committee member
San Francisquito Creek JPA Board of Directors
CMR:254:00 Page 3 of 3
PaloAko, ~ ~301
Ch~/Bo~ of
City Mana~=r - w/
ATTACHMENT B
RESOLUTION NO.
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO
ALTO IN SUPPORT OF THE SANTA CLARA VALLEY WATER
DISTRICT’S CLEAN, SAFE CREEKS AND NATURAL FLOOD
PROTECTION PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the Santa Clara Valley Water District (Water
District) works to ensure that creeks and channels can safely
carry floodwaters; that water in our creeks and bays is clean
and safe; that natural resources in our creeks and watersheds
are preserved and enhanced; and that additional open space and
trails are provided; and
WHEREAS, the Water District’s voter approved benefit
assessment will sunset in June 2000 and the Water District is
now considering submitting a special tax ballot measure to Santa
Clara County voters in November, 2000; and
WHEREAS, the ballot measure would fund the Water
District’s Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection
Program; and
WHEREAS, the Clean, Safe Creek and Natural Flood
Protection Program will help preserve and improveour quality of
life by providing:
¯Homes, schools, businesses and highways
protection from flooding and erosion;
¯Clean, safe water in our creeks and bays;
¯Healthy creeks and bay ecosystems;
¯Trails, parks and open space along creeks; and
With
WHEREAS,this ballot measure would require two-thirds
voter approval,which would demonstrate overwhelming voter
support; and
WHEREAS,.flooding and stream protection are regional
issues and this measure is important for Palo Alto in that it
would provide flood and stream protection to ensure that our
creeks and channels can safely carry floodwaters away from our
homes, businesses and local roadways to San Francisco Bay and
preserve and protect the waters and natural resources which
contribute to our quality of life; and
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WHEREAS, the proposed program is important for Palo Alto
in that it could provide funding for the planning and design for
flood protection of San Francisquito Creek; removal of sediment
on San Francisquito Creek; identification and -management of
pollutants in streams (including siltation and diazinon in San
Francisquito Creek); frequent removal of litter and graffiti
along streams; and participation in habitat restoration or
enhancement and trail amenities along streams.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Palo Alto
does RESOLVE as follows:
SECTION I. The City of Palo Alto endorses the proposed
program and supports the Water District placing the proposed
¯ program for Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection on
the November 2000 ballot.
SECTION 2. The Council finds that this is not a project
under the California Environmental Quality Act and, therefore,
no environmental impact assessment is necessary.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:APPROVED:
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
City Attorney
Mayor
City Manager
DireCtor of Public Works
Director of Administrative
Sgrvices
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