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<br />At the request of City Manager, the Director of Public Works presented a, report of
<br />the proposal, referring to report submitted earlier to Council. He advised each of
<br />the three branches would be presented separately for consideration, beginning with
<br />the Stulsaft Branch, On March 5, the first of the information clinics of the second
<br />series was held, at which Mr. Batsford, representing Jenks and Adamson, Consulting
<br />Engineers, reviewed with the property owners the proposed improvements, and who was
<br />now requested to report on the proposals,
<br />Mr. Batsford reviewed the efforts to inform the local residents
<br />of preliminary surveys and studies, performed under varying con-
<br />ditions to determine effects of water run-off and subsequent
<br />inspections of the creek over the entire length from the Park
<br />to Connecticut Drive, Following this, recommendations were made
<br />in discussions with Staff concerning alternatives concerning this
<br />particular reach of the creek. Knowing of the widespread interest
<br />expressed in the past, discussions covered proposals for no im-
<br />provements at all to complete channel improvements. He was then
<br />requested to proceed and prepare plans for full channel improve-
<br />ments from Alameda to Connecticut Drive, to determine what the
<br />possibilities were; which trees, if any, needed to be removed,
<br />etc. The preliminary channel design for full channel improve-
<br />ment was presented at a clinic to the local residents as the
<br />improvement which was felt to be most suited to the area. The
<br />results of a poll reflecting the opinions of the residents were
<br />translated to a drawing depicting areas of those for and those
<br />against. He described the improvements recommended as being
<br />reinforced concrete to be laid in existing channel and back-
<br />filled, Existing channel in these reaches, he said, had the
<br />size to handle current volume of storm waters. He added, how-
<br />ever, that encroachments such as private improvements, trees,
<br />trash, etc. could easily affect the hydraulic capabilities of
<br />the channels, Plugging of these channels could result in block-
<br />ing culverts. The worst of the street culverts, he indicated,
<br />was the Alameda crossing, where a large tree on the upstream edge
<br />tends to impair channel flow somewhat. At the upper reaches, the
<br />hydraulic capacity is adequate to handle the flow, but it was felt
<br />more clean-up work was warranted, It was felt that if channels
<br />are to remain as they are and not be improved, culverts will need
<br />to be enlarged,
<br />Mayor Bury had indicated earlier of a commitment which would require -a short absence from
<br />the meeting, and at 8:15 P.M., in the absence of the Vice -Mayor, the chair was turned
<br />over to Councilman Rosselli temporarily,
<br />Mr. Batsford proceeded to describe several alternatives to con-
<br />sider in the Stulsaft Branch, prefacing with the statement that
<br />it was not intended to imply that the three alternates were
<br />equivalent in hydraulic capacity: (1) No improvement, He noted
<br />that historically there is little evidence of flood problems in
<br />this portion except at street culverts; (2) Considering creek
<br />channel size to be adequate, and past ability to carry flow, the
<br />matter of how to improve action of the channel without materially
<br />changing it could mean a general cleanup of the area, and em-
<br />barking on a maintenance program. This would serve also to afford
<br />the opportunity to detect potential problems before they occur,
<br />There was indication at the clinic that this would be preferred
<br />by some of the residents, noting that many of these people have
<br />undertaken to keep the channel free of debris; (3) Replacing
<br />culverts in this run. New culverts could be constructed in
<br />better alignment with existing channels, and could be combined
<br />with the other alternates; (4) Complete channel improvement,
<br />equal to improvements in other areas in the City,
<br />The Director of Public Works expressed belief that Jenks and Adamson had done a very
<br />fine study on the matter, as requested by Council in October. The survey had been
<br />held up to some extend by weather, He noted that the report indicated the least that
<br />can be done and adequately control flow would be to replace the culverts at street
<br />crossings (3rd alternate), which are inadequate,
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