BOOK 26_1955-11-28 to 1957-06-17

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We feel that it would be an unnecessary expenditure of City Funds to hire an expert at this time, particularly if the city was unable to undertake his recommendations in the near future since traffic problems change with the development of the city. , We are aware of numerous traffic problems that need attention but are unable to proceed due to the lack of funds and, therefore, feel that the city would be unable to act on the recommendations of an expert for the same reason. , We do feel, however, that more attention should be given to existing traffic problems that could be corrected without any great expense but are at the present time overlooked due to the lack of man power. The Chief of Ppolice advised the Committee that he contemplates including in the 1956-7 Police Budget the position of Traffic Lieutenant for the sole a purpose of having a man within the department who would devote full time to the current traffic problems. It is the recommendation of this Committee that further consideration of this matter be post- poned until the.City Council has had an opportunity to study the proposal of the Police Department in their furture budget studies." �aCouncilman Jones moved acceptance of the letter, seconded by Councilman Spillers and carried* y V 1 COUNTY MANAGER REGARDING COUNTY WIDE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT. The Clerk read the following letters: "The recent storm and its attending high water more than ever point up the inadequacy of existing flood control and drainage facilities in San Mateo County. There was not one community within the entire county that did not suffer substantial damage as a result of the heavy rains. With the rapid development of new subdivisions in the foothills it is only logical to expect an increasing amount of runoff, thus aggravating the already serious drainage problem. Even though adequate drainage structures may be installed in the new sub- -divisions, unless the major drainage canals and the laterals are of sufficient size, property owners in the lowlands will inevitably suffer. It appears that the future development of the county is greatly dependent upon providing adequate structures and facilities to hadle runoff during normal rainfalls, to•say nothing of meeting the needs of rainstorms such as those recently experienced. • A , As you know, for several years the Board of Supervisors has been seeking the formation of a countywide flood control district in order that flood and drainage problems may be effectively solved. The creation of such a flood control district, to be at all effective,, should meet with the approval of the legislative body of the municipalities within the coaaty, Heretofore it has been possible to obtain concurrence in suoh a project by only.two out of the thirteen cities within the county. The Board of Supervisors at its meeting.on December 27 asked the County Manager to again attempt to interest the various cities in formulating an over-all flood control and drainage program. Of course, under existing statutes, such a flood control dis- trict could not be created; special legislation is required. With the concurrence of the majority of the cities within the couty in proposed legislation creating a countywide flood control district, the Bqard of Supervisors would undoubtedly consider requesting the Governor to include this matter in a special call for the 1956 session of the Legislature. For two successive legislative years, Assemblyman Dolwig has introduced legislation designed to create a flood control district in San Mateo County. Perhaps his proposed legislation or some modification thereof would be acceptable to the municipalities. It is respectfully requested that you City Council give this matter your immediate consideration and inform this,office or the Board of Supervisors of your reaction to such a proposal. If sufficient cities indicate their concurrence, every effort will be made to formalize a legislative proposal to meet out local needs in time for consideration at.the 1956 session of the State Legislature." 33 Councilman Granger moved that the Board of Supervisors be notified and reaffirm that the City is entirely in favor of forming this district, seconded by Councilman Royer and carried. Councilman Granger asked if the City had been notified of this meeting and if so why didn't someone attend the meeting., .City Engineer. Jain explained that the newspaper was wrong and they had attended the meeting. This was followed by discussion and report from Mr. Jain in regard to the City's work during the storm - He stated that the City spent approximately $8,000 during this time and there is some possibility that the City might recover some of this money. Councilman,Britschgi advised that a Committee of Mayors and City Managers had discussed in 1951 in regard to flood control and at that time a committee had been formed to see what could be done to form a flood control district and how it could be financed. ,He was of the opinion that perhaps this could be used as an alernate in the event that the present proposed plans failed. Possibly the use of sales tax monies, if and when available, could be used to finance the flood control project in each City. WILLIAM PHOENIX REGARDING CONDITION OF SIDEWALK FRONTING COAST ELECTRIC COMPANY. In his letter Mr. Phoenix stated that on April 5, 1955s he had been advised that the Council was going to hold up a decision regarding