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101 question of whether or not the City would save money on their insurance rate if they paid the smaller claims. This was followed by discussion after which the motion carried. Councilman Granger moved to refer the matter of a deductable policy to the Insurance Carrier, seconded by Councilman Royer and carried. LETTER FROM PUBLIC HEALTH ENGINEER HOWELL REGARDING SEWER OVERFLOW CONDITIONS AND CITY ENGINEER REPLY. The Clerk read the letter of the City Engineer. Councilman Spillers moved to accept the City Engineers reem.. mendation, seconded by Councilman Britschgi who asked to make both letters a part of the minutes. Motion 6w carried. A discussion followed in regard to a new outfall for storm waters. Gentlemen: There is enclosed for you information the monthly report of Sanitation Inspections covering the City of Redwood City, for the month of December, 1955., During December there was excessive precipitation, extending into January 1956, This period of high intensity rain generally resulted in the flooding of sanitary sewers, ern causing human waste to flow over streets onto front and, in some cases, rear yards of homes. Unfortunately, it also sometimes caused backing up of sewage into homes. In order to alleviate these flooding conditions, emergency steps were taken by public works departments in the various cities to provide by—pass lines from manholes to adjoining natural drainage channels. These by—passes do correct for the time being the hazard of sewage backing up into homes and overflowing in areas which children and their pets frequent, and this department wishes to commend the cities for taking this emergency action. It must be stressed, however, that these lines stillconstitute a health hazard and are a violation of sections of the Health and Safety Code, when sewage flows through by—pass lines, and their use should be considered only as a temporary expedient. Communities having overflowing sewers and by—pass arrangements should give immedi— ate consideration to developing plans for enlargement of their sewers or realigning some of the sewage flow to larger trunk sewers. Another consideration could be repair and improvement of existing lines to minimize the amount of infiltration that causes the sewer to become surcharged. No doubt the continued development of subdivisions to the west will only aggravate these overflowing conditions and actually increase the health hazard, as the sewage concentra— tion will be more prevalent and therefore plans should be, and no doubt are, under considera— tion for correcting these adverse conditions. There exists, and naturally so, a feeling when bond issues are considered for enlargement of sanitary sewers, that the sewers are adequate A to handle floors for the older sections of town, thatthe trouble has been occasioned by the new developments and therefore the cost should be borne by these residents. Similarly., the residents of the newer areas, west of E1 Camino, feel that as long as these conditions exist at the lower elevations and they are not bothered$ why should they have to pay for enlarge— ment of sewers. This situation clearly indicates that each city should seriously consider, if they have not already done so, the development of a capital improvement program# This department has observed during the last two or three years that the frequency of overflowing sewers in the lower lying areas appears to be increasing even during periods of rainfall such as have been experienced in this counter during 1953 and 1951• The rain this year being classified as "once in a hundred years" cannot realistically be used as a basis for design but I believe it did very sharply and distinctly bring to the attention of many individuals the fact that surcharged sewers do result in a health hazard, when sewage backed up into their homes or flooded over the street and lawn areas, for a considerable period of time. The public generally, realizing that a health hazard exists and the condition should be corrected immediately, become concerned when the representatives of the governing body concerned when the representatives of the governing body concerned do not take immediate action to clean up this mess. In our work with the various personnel from the corporation yards, we have found them very conscientious in their efforts to minimize these bad conditions and they worked many hours overtime to alleviate the health hazard. These men should definitely be commended for their efforts, rather than have to withstand criticism, as actually they could only minimize this problem by quickly clearing any sewer stoppages and, as has been mentioned previously, providing by—pass lines to natural drainage channels: P.. All indications still point to rapid growth throughout San Mateo County. It is essential therefore that the governing body of each city having these overflowing sewer 6.0 -conditions develop corrective plans, otherwise continued development of residential properties, where these properties contribute to the sewers that overflow, we believe would constitute neglect in alleviating health hazards and thereby leave the cities liable to suits for damage from individuals suffering damage or contracting any disease that can be shown to be associated with these adverse conditions. We wish to assure you that even though we -are inadeuately staffed our men will row work as closely as possible with the personnel of the public works departments and corporation yards in an effort to minimize any health hazards occasioned by these overflowing sewers. - Very truly yours, Eugene Mason Howell Public Health Engineer Re: Sewer ,Overflow Conditions Please refer to letter dated February 7, 1956, from Mr. Eugene Howells County Public Health Engineer, addressed to the City Council, regarding overflow conditions of sanitary sewers in the city, during recent storm periods.