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HomeMy WebLinkAbout0166.095• TO: A T1'El'>'TION: , .. FROM: City of Palo Alto City l\rfanager's Report HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL POLICY AND SERVICES COMMITTEE CITY MA,'<AGER DEPARTMElItT: Public Works AGL~A DATE: Marclo 13,lm CMR:t66:9S SUBJECT: REQUEST CoordInated Resollr.'e Management and PlAnning (CRMP) Request fur Clty Endo,...,..,ent of San Frand'qui!o Creek Flood and Ero.ion C"" Irol Study On februaty 2, 1995, the Steering COOl!llittee for the San francisqui!<> Creek Coordinated Resoorec and Planning (CRMP) process sent letters 10 the Santa Clara Vaney Waler District (SCVWD) and the San Mole" C.oun!y Public Works Departmen! reqneseng that the two . ageo.,,"ies conduct a joint flood aod erosion control study 0{ the creek. CRMP also sent I Jette< 10 the City Man"8er requesting that the Ctly endorse such • study. RECOMMENDATION This RpOrI :ecoounends that tbe Po/iv'y and Servic<s C<>mmitree recommend 10 Coo.ncil that staff submit tbe attached ktre< to me SCVWD cndcrsing ,. flood and eJOsioo rontrol study 0{ San francisquito Creek mucy IMPLICATIQNS This report requests that the PoIic)-and Senke, Cornmit!ee reconsider an earlier Council policy decisioo regarding San Franci squlto Creek On Jnn. 1/, 1990, staff requested guidance from Cooncil on whether or DO! to "'quest the SCVWD to pursue ,. study of improvement option; for the creek (CMR:346:O). C<>UDciI directed staff nO( 10 request the SC\''WO to peifonn tbe study. . EXECUITVE SUMMARY • 0.. NO'<-em1:er 14. 1994, ConnciJ endorsed staff'. participatioo in the ongoing Coordinated Resource Management and Planning (CRMP) process for San francisquito Cro.k (CMR:S06:94) The purpose of the CR.\{\> is 10 promote the enhancement and health 0{ Ibe San fnmcisquito Creel< watershed, by stimulating dialogue among the interesled parties and . identifying majo< problems, planning objectives, and future ",,:ions. bt ceder to develop goals and objectives for spe.;ific issnes affecting tbe creek, the CRMP Steering (,<>mmlnee fanned individual task groups. Pl>bli<: Work. Department staff has participated in the task group euroining flooding and erosioo problems. Porolull Sm F~ Creek po5e' • significant flood threat 10 resid<:tm of Polo Alto, Menlo Park, and East Palo Alto, bo Polo Alto alone, the federal Em<cge!lcy Mar.agement Ageli<)' (FEMA) has deramined 1hat approximately 1,350 ~Is arc subject to j"ooding of ooe fool or mO<e in the ~""t of. I OO-year flood in the Creek. Owners of these propenies are subje<1 10 mandatory purchase of flood insurance and spe<ial b,>ilc!ing requirements when constructing. or substantially improving, their homes, FEMA is currently restudying Ibe ilood potential from San Francisqui!o Creek due to chonse, in its floodplain mapping policies, and preliminary results indicate !hat ther. will be a 60 per<ent increase in the number of propetties hllhe &signaled floodplain OIl Ibe mi .. ", flood insuraoc., map'. Staff will provide ~ with on ....mation of the restudy, when the flood i.'1SW1IllCe map' become avoilable for publk revkw in approximately six mooths. Streambed and bank aosioo is also a problem along San francisquito Creek. Erosion endangers bomes, streets, and oth<:r privrde and publio property alongside the =k and threatens nati,'. vegetltUon along the riJ;arian W<rido!:, Soil erosion results in sedimentation f.mber dov.nstream, COOIn1>uting 10 flooding and destroying fish habitat are .... ~ of Ihe key findings of Ibe CRMP flood and erosion control task group is thit • lack of technical infoonafion has bampered identification of potential solutions to flooding md erosioe problems. The task group concluded chat • COC1jJfehenslve study of San Francisquito Creek is n<:ede4 befure any meaningful discussion of flood and erosion control. opIions can take place. In response to !be task group's recom.-nrodatioo, the CRMP Steering Committee seDI: IeUers to the SCVWD and Ihe San Mateo County Public Warks Departmeat, requesting that the two agencies cooduct • joint flood and erosion control study of the Creek (A!tachment I). In making 1heir mr.JeSt. !he Steering O:Jmmitle.e .lso recommended 1hat the following elements be incorponled inID the soope of the study, in order to roster environmental protection and r ... -ilitate public partic'pation: Consider.dion of options such as npstream de'.ention basins. bypass ch8!lnels, and other alternatives to Creek eIlI"'l!ement or fining, • Dev.:1ofment of recommendations !bat preserve the Creek. in Us natural state as moch as possible, and avoid the use of concrete, C.onslderat>on of alternative polkies and projects llJot would not provide protectioll against the IOO-year flood. but will protect against less .evere floods while minimizing ""gative environmental impacts, Active participation by CRMP members and other ",embers of Ibe public throughout the sludy process. A letter WliS also sent 10 lb. cily manager of each municipality adjoining San Francisquito Creek, requesting that they endorse CRMP'. re'lues! f(W • flood and erosion control. study of the Creek (Attachment 2). Taking into conside .... tion the environmental safeguards and , ',' " ,~ .... > \ ~ , ' public particlpalion requcste<las i"'It c{ Il>e study, staff rec~ ihal t!le Polley aDd Serviees Committee recommend IG Cooneil tlt.t staff submit the attach<d letter IG t!!c SCVWD c:udoning a flood aDd ero.;k>n comrol study of San Fr!lllClsqwl" C~ek (Atta<hment 3). FISCAL IMPACT This repo<t las "" fi5<:aI impacfs to the City. EN\'IRONML'ITAL ASSESSMEllrr There is noeaviJoomenlal ,,-,""ssment required m cooj1lll<:tion wilh this repcn. If the SC\'WD and IfIe San MattO Coonty Public Wads Department proceed ,.ith • flood and erosion cootroI sIIldy of San Francisquito Creek. tIley wi.n be responsibk for preparation of an envirQllI!leltM assessment of eaob identified proj.:ct altem.live. ATIACHMENTS I -Letter &om CRMP Steering Committee 10 Santa Oara Valley Water Distrkt 2 -LelIa from CRMP Steering Committee to City Manager 3 -Ptopos<:d letter to Santa CIa!a VaHey Water Distrkt endorsing CIIMP', request for • study of San Fraocisqulto Creek PREPARED BY, Geo<gt Bagdon. Assistant Director of Public Works DEPARTMENT HEAD REVIEW: CITY MANAGEll APPROVAL: ~f>~t~iW..OM~~))\~.~%:;:;?~~.~ ____ _ BERNARD M. STRQ1f;Y' Assistant City Manager cc: Debbie Myte\s. CRMl" Steering Committee Kay WlIit!ock. SCVWD John Paul Hanna ,..,.3.U "-. :"-.- San Franclsqllfto Creek Watershed ~~~~.-:~~ ____ Coorcfmated ReSOlKce t1anagement and PlaMJng (CRMP) (.UIbr hu IIIadvR !9l1 "" IojsMa w .... 0._ 4151'Hl.9m. """WMl)( Stan Williams General Man .ger Santa Clar. Valley Waler District 5750 Almaden Expre5SWay San Jose, CA 9511S January 31, 1995 Over !he pasl year, the pa.licipa!icn and support ol the Sant<> Clara Vaney . Warer Disfrict has been a tremendous 'sse! in the Coordinated Resource Management and Planning (CRMP) process initiated by the Peninsula Coru;erv.1lon Cenlet for the San Frandsquito Creek wafershed. This efforI has broughl ~ 6S representatives {rom !he five cities (East Palo Alto, Menlo Parlc, Palo Alto, Poctola Valley and Wood.kk), Santa Qara aNi San Mateo Counties ... a dozen otlter govemmertt agencies ... community and environmental organizations, :1eighbochood associations and landowr . .",., including Stanf,yd University, with Ihe purpose 10 Iosrer I: diverse a..11d healthy watershed, valued as a naMa} a.."'ld cOIlU'!1unHy resource in a manner ronsiste...'"lt 'Wit.."-puNic 'health and safety as wen. as with property rights One 01 our six tasle forces has been Worlehlg on issues related 10 Rood and F.ro<ion Control and this group has Identified the following pro!>!e!I\S in need ol so/utiO<l: I) San Frandsquito Creele poses • significant flood threat 10 thous.nds ol citizens and p<operties in East Palo Alto, Menlo Par~ and Palo Alto. 2} The continuing erosion ol the creek banks threafens tI1e loss 01 valuable publk .. ,d private property and may .dversely affect habitat alo."'g the riparian corridor. 3) Future deve!op1I".en! may incrE'ilSE' existing f"K'XXling and eroc;ion problems . • ) The NaoonaI FkxJd Insurance Program l',as an econorn.i<: i..'"tlpact on property o,"-ners. 5) The exisfence of multiple jurisdictions and a Jack of teliable irlformatlon has hampered tI1e abl1ity 10 identify pofential solullons to tI1ese problems. . , An expanded list of ~ sp<clk prol>lEm5 has l>een prepared by the Flood and Erosion Control Task Force and is attached. . . . On t>ehalf of the CRMP Sleeting Committee, I am writing 10 formally requeSt thai tr.e scVwD and San Mal<!o County Flood Control District be \he lead ag~ in perforoUng a swdy ol the San FrancisquilO Creek waEers1\ed with the purpose of evaluating optlons: • to mir.iIruze fk>oding problerr.s; • to remove areas from FE).!A flood insurance requiremenf:s; and • to ensure contfnued 'itcility of the natural creek en 'oIlronment. Among Hie questions that should be an,-wered by thls shldy of LIu! San Frandsquito Creek wa!ershed are the followingo • 'W!-o.2! are the sources and causes of erosion in thl's watershed ? • What causes flooding in this watershed? • How do Hooding and erosion affect biological resources, foe example, the sleeThead trout. in this watershed ? • What is the impact of p<>(enlial SQ!utions on biologkaI resources ? • How might low Hows (due 10 Hood control measures) affect biologic.1 resources ? • How would an ;"crease in impervious surfaces affect \he creel< 1 In defining the scope of the study, we have rour recommend. tlon.<.: 1} The study should consider -.ltemanv .. , such as upstream detention basins, bypass channels and other possible soIuoo.'1S. 2} h.y recommended soIu60ns must;. as Dluch as possible, preserve the creek in its natural state. In lceep1Il8 with this goal, any proposed solUDon must avoid con..<truction of .. concrete-lined d"",.'1ei. S} Because both funding limitatXlns and concerns arout habitat &">gr.d.1ion may present obstacles 10 • large scale project. the srudy should analyze hew 10 protect !lot only against the 1 OO-ye~ flood, but also against !.ess ""vete flood$ of moe" rr""l"ent occurreflC<!-This will prov>de com.munlty decision-makers with • more comple", picture of the ris •• and lhe costs 10 protect agaln..<t them.. 4) Fina1I y ... because of our :&uccess in involving so many cl the wafecsl'led's sfakeholdPJs iI't the CRMP process, we belleve tha! the 5!udy should utilize new methods of parOCipaoon by comnmnity groups and the general pub!k, completely inlegtating the various stalceholders into the process. o.u CRMP group plans 10 par6cipate ID de$igrung the study a.."ld to h.etp as an environmental re\iew team. The time is right 10 begin this study. We an antkipate that FEMA will soon issue %lew IT.aps which indkate boundaries of the various flood zanes (gg., lOO-year flood potential). From informal preliminary indications, we believe that 'bose FEMA maps wnJ s1-.ow an expanded Hood dmger ar€a from San Francis<,'Uilo Creek. This will raise public concerns about the flood is5tle. " . u-'" 5CVWD re s.n F~ Cree. F100d Control Sludy, 1/l1/95, fi)3 So that this study could be accomplish...:! wi:hln the next 18-2.4 months, we urge you to wnsider thiS matter at L'> early occasion and include funds (or it in your upc;om;ng annt..l budget We !-.ave written an klenliul letter to the San Mateo County Public Works Dep.rtment and sent copies to the five cities wi:hln L'te watershed. asld."S foe their endorsement of !his proposed study. Because of tI1eir partki",tlon ;"!he watershed CRMP process, we woop.te s!rong suppo<"t frorn an these jurlsdlctions. We 1001< forward to your favorable response and 10 working closely with D'.strkt staff as tM. proposal fO"S focward. . Sincerely, ~1~/Jt:;~ Debbie Myrels San Fra . .'",isquHo Creek CRMP Coordinator This letter reviewed and agreed 10 by participants at !he ranuary 19, 1995 Steering Committee mee!ing, ol the San Fandsquito Creek Wa!er~1\ed Coocdirufed Resource Managemer.! and Planning grouP' Kirk Stoddard. Stanford Linear Accelerator Cenler Marld)ubi-ow, Stanfo<d LL"'Iear Accelerator Center Geoff Brosseau ... Peninsula Conservation Center Board of DirecfCcs Sam Herzberg, San Mateo County Planning Department Marc KIemenck" Santa Oar. Valley Water District Duane O'Donnell, San Mateo Counfy Environmental Health Department u.'onard Lee, Santa Oar .. County Environmental Health Department Marly Lap<><te, Stanford University Ub1ities Depar!mell: Elaine ll<anding, Stanford University Utilities Department }erry Heart'~ San Mateo County Hsh and WlIdljfe Adv'.sory Committee Sue N">ehoIls, B. Y Are. Action Karen CotIe!, Community Creek Wa!& Garl .. Preuss, Communlfy Creek W. tch Craig K ll<eon. Santa Oara Valley Audubon Society Leonie Botkin. Stanford Management Comp,my feler Drekneier, Bay Are. Action Bob Hockey, Stanford Unlversity Utllitles fun John,.,." friends of San Francisquito Creel< Michael Hogan.. 5ay Area Action Debra Jacobs, Oly of Palo Alto Y.khael Rigney, Coyole Creel< Riparian Station ~-;::.-" . ' . ..• , " -;:-~t{3>'" ,'-.," -.. • . ,' . . ~,~. , ".' San franclsq"lto Creek Watershed Coon1"lI1ated Resource Management and Planning (CRMP) ,....~ JaI'.uar11t" 1995 ,--IDlIzI.... .... TO: CRMP St«!ring COIl".rrUltee ,.. ... 0._ .'~'!Q''''i. FROM: Flood Control and Erosion Task Focce fa:: 41W2..fDC ~ Draft Ust of Problems (rev. 1/20/9S} During meetlngs on Sep:ember 14, November 1, November 29, 1994 and January 10, 1995, we woo-ked 10 define !!\(lI'e spe<:iJkal!y L"e issues and probleln. related !O flood control. and erosion.. As a .mis....o:ion statement" :for the fl.<x)d Control and ErCk:o-100 Task FCII:ce .. we ~J.1] work to generate solu&ms to the follov;i.ng ?roblems: 1) San Francisquito Creek poses a slgnitkant flood threat to tho:usanGs of dtiz.ens ar.d p<operties in Palo All<> and Menlo Porl<. 2) The continuing erosion of the creek banks threatens the!o.s of ... luable public and prlva!e proper!y and may adversely affect habiw along \he riparia.!, corridor. 3) Fu·rure development may increase existing flooding iJ\d erosion problems. 4i The National fIoOO Insuran<:e Program r.as an economk impact on r-roperty owners. 5} The exIster..ce of multirle jurisdkti.:ms a..-1"I.d a iack of reliable irLforrI'.ation has hampered th~ ability iO identify potential soIuticns N> these problEms .. n Flooding • 5edimer,:tation an-d depos1tk-n r-educ~ creek capacity and cause floodiI\g. • Sedimen!ation at t.''Ie poinI of ou!ilow !o the B.y "an prevent fuw out of the channel. • Bridges such as these at M'iddlefie1d, Chaucer/Pope Stree! and Highway 101 .ronstrict the waterway ~.nd cause fl.ooding. • Debris sometimes clogs the wateIv.ra y .. • Regulatory constraints on dredging make main~enance of channels tempxaruy unfeasl"ble ... red-ocing the maMers capacity ~ carry water out to the Bay. 2} Erosion • Sedimentation and deposjti.... .. m neg.Hively impact potential steeihead spa'lvning grounds. ./' ~< .. ," Flood COI)!rCI 01'\d Erosion®k Force, o.-aft List of t.sues, p. 2:[) 2) ElQ§jOD (cont.} • So!n!' poorly designed ootf.ll pipes may contribute 10 bank erosion. • Trees and ot.'ter farge items can attack ",,"e barJ<:s1 causIng erosion. • Bank E'J'osion threatens live trees CL.'1d adjacent Stn.:l<i:ure5, including NiJdtng.s. roads, sewer lines and ulility lines. o Bridges S'.ldt as those at Mlddlefield, Chau""r iFope Stre<'t and Highway 101 eott.strlct t..'\e flow and ca.n cause e!oston. 3.J I wpm at DE:vdQpm cnt • The cumulative impaL1: of storm water nmoff' from development causes multi;:>!.! ... com.p!ex eff~4:s upon tIt.€ creek,. including increased "'olume of water. • New development without adequate setbads limits options foe &a!ing with flood and erosion problems. (1 Flood Iosutjlu,e _ • To remove the requiremenf foe fl,")Cl(:I i..1'b"Urance~ we need to remove areas from the lOO-year flood 2(.-n05. • Ne ....... ".FEMA tr...aps may requfre more-people to buy in5u·ra."'l<"e. • Current FEMA regulatJo..--,;; require p€ople to pay flood insurance and puts sigrlficant constralr.ts 0 .. rern<:'<ieling of existing buildings. • Being m a flood zelle negatively affects prope!.ty values. • People within the San Franci.'>;quito Oeek watershed may not be receivL'lg tne same flood protection benefits as people in -other waters.heds l'.'ithin the SC"r'1-'"iD. S) Ot;pnjutionat anel Information;!1 IsSUes • We need !o Imow more about gE-O<nO<poo\ogy. For examp!e, we do D()t k",-",,' what ii an optimallev21 of sedlmentation. • We n~ to determine whether stnJocwr .. su<h as freeway soundwans might inaeaS<? flood potentia!. • W~ need to de~eJ'!l1.lfle what is the public responsfbility 10 pr-of.:?Ct ~evk;.u5 private development • \'\I"e need an approach that etllpha... ... izes p1"oteC'"Jon of the ael'K:9 s habitat va1ut."'S. • We. need an overall approach to flood/erosion problems, Tather tha."1. piecemeal "~utions. • Ach.ie\,,·ing. community CDnsensus on proposed solutions is diffirult. • Raising funds for agreed upon sobtkms is di£licult. • People respond to shoct-term, rather thm long-le..-rn problems. • We need to determIne whether any pr~ solutions. s~ as water dJversiollr might affect wa ler rigllts. • W-()('mation from the OCOC's earlier study on sea. level rise sho'lld be incorporated into '''y study. • TheI'e is no adequa~ "\-.ram1ng sy-stem f-Q( downstream residents of risLi.g uFsueam wale!" levels during hlgll flows. - '-:-' ----; .----~~ <' ---------,..--- .".: :;...... • ~.' .-< .. ' , •• ;--~ . '. :f~.''..:~~:.2~" .'.":-.. :_ 3"~'~~.-, i .. ,,/'," ~ ;~ . '~:~J. . ' PwUnsub C .......... ISH c.-_ ml !m IIj<IoI W "" .... 0._ 415,'ftl.ft76. Fa: ·m.'9C..mc June Fieming City Manage< Ci ty of Palo Alto p.o, Box 10"L50 Polo Alto, CA 94303 ""'-,..;. ffi)ECEI\!~ID1 U\\ fES 6 19S5 aBE 00 11£ CIIY .........aa :-::, Atuchmenl2 Fetruary 2, 1995 The participa60n of Palo Alto's dty staff in the Coordi11ated Resource Management and Planning process fo< the San Francisqui!<> Creek watersh~ (luring the past year ·bas been. a tremendous as5cl in our ef-k."I'ts, io foster a dh"erse and healthy watershed ... valued as a: natural and cOOlmuruty resource L."1 .a. :nanner consistent v,rith p'..lblk health and safety as well as lI\'ith p!'operty righ fs. A~ you know ... <me of the major COIk.""'etIlS raIsed by the aee!c is its potential fiX floodi.."\g. A...~ rev1e"""..ng the complicated issues re1afed to fl.ood control within L1\e San Francisquito Creek l'I.-0I1ers-hed$ the Steering Committee fOe the CR.~ process has decided 10 ask !he Santa Oara Valley Water District __ ,-,d the San Mateo County flood C"ntrollY.s!rict to undertake a study of .PO'Ssi'b!e solutions ~o flood a..ld erosion problems -w.-thln tt.-e l\o'"a.tershed. The atfacr.ed letter cuflir.es (he reasons for the study and tbo? items we believe !\.€'ed to be e.-;amined \t\."'e also 5"uggest SOllIe additionaI pro"\1s}ons reg;,.rding p!'otection of nahtral habitat and a broa:d-ba....o;ed public participation process, As noted in the letter. the time is right to begirt this study. V~e anticipate that FEMA ".rill soon issue nM-V maps which bO'Jcate boundar..es of the various fl.ood zones.. l..""\.formaI prelimL.iary indic;auDns ;ue mat these FEMA maps wiJ1 sho~",,~ an expanded ikx>d danger area from Sf Creek Thls~ al-oog with the recent storm51 v."ill raise public concerns· al:QU{: the flood issue. Beca\L~ the results of tJ'!is study 'W'ill provide informatk.n to all the jurisdJctions within the wa!ershed~ -we urge you to review and endcrse -, ~. ~ .. '. '"'-.-, '0 -~ ~ .~-" -,-:, .---: Lett", 10 City of Palo Alto .. San frilIlcisqullO Crm CRW.P. €)!95. page 2 the at'.adled request A letter from the aty of Palo Al to ,11oo.;!d be sent !o the San FrancisquIto Crecl: Watershed CRMP, clo Pe"lnsuJa C<>nSelvation Center. 3921 E. BaYSll<>re.Road, Palo Alto. CA ~ by Februal""f 28, 1995, or as soon as po<isibJe_ Knowledge of y<>W' support for this study will enable SCVWD and San Ma teo Count}' 10 include its casts wltNn their 19%-% budgets whkh will be plazt.'led this sprLog_ A simiJax req<lest for suppo<l of this ott," y has been senllO all the five cities in :ne WOlers.'1ed (East Polo Alto, Menlo Pork. Palo Alro, Portola Valley. and Woodside)_ Your endorsement will enable the CRMP process 10 meet one of its majo< goals_ Thank)'O<I. f« your early mnsideration of this matter_ Sincerely , ;}eIt1iv iJ'j.ffPv Debbie Mytels San FrandsqUl<O Creek CRMP Coo.-diIla!Or , Mr. Stan Williams General M9/lager Santa Clan V:dley WaW Dislrict SISO A1maden Exp""y. San Jose, CA 9S II g Dear Mr. Williams: Gty&PaloAlto OffiacflheCity Mm.w Attachmcnc J March IS, 19:15 On behalf c{ the Palo Alto City Cooncil. [ am writing 10 endorse the San Francisquito Creek Coordinated Resrorc" and Planning (CRMP) Steering C<1!nmit!ee"S request foe a ~ flood and erosion cootrol study 0( tlle creek by !he District and !he San Mateo County PL>bIic Works Department. In subniaiDg Ibis endorsement, I WruJilo emphasize Cotmcil', interest in pursuing solutions which <!o not damage !he unspoiled character of the creek. As ~ in \he CRMP letter, yoor study should focus 00 the development of optioos !hat preserve the creek in irs na!ur.il state as much as po5Sible. avoidinjj !be use of coocrete. In keeping with the ideals of the CRMP. future plans for San francisquito Creek sboule! 13k: inlO accOUlll the need< and cooccrns of !be varioos stakeholders, and iI is lherefoce essentiallhat the saJdy be eooducIed with ample ~s for public eommen! and partidpaOOo.. The City is commjttecllo woclmg will> your staff, CRMP participants, and lIlC!Ilbers oflbe public 10 deve!ql envirOllllleIllally soond options for an.viating fIoodillg and erosion along San Fr.ncisquito Creek .. bile preserving its ae..<i!Jdks and habitat value. I look fon.'aId 10 • crealive plan fur the creek that will add 10 its status as • community .. set Smcerely .. JUNE fLEMING City Manager 1FtJT:ko cc; Debbie Mytels, CRMP Steering Committee John Paul Hanna pnbl~ PoOOMo,CA9ot.'m ~,329,15E3 .(15..328. 3ti3tFitI\: