AgdaPkt 2011-10-24 - Laserfiche WebLink

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7.C. - Page 1 REPORT To the Honorable Mayor and City Council From the City Manager October 24, 2011 SUBJECT Bayfront Canal Drainage Improvement RECOMMENDATION This is an information -only staff report. BACKGROUND The Bayfront Canal was built by Leslie Salt Company (currently Cargill) in 1945. It extends from Douglas Court to Marsh Road just south of Cargill's salt ponds. The Canal, maintained by Redwood City through easement, is the single stormwater transmission canal for the Atherton Channel and six drainage basins, discharging through a single outlet to Flood Slough and into the Bay. In addition to Redwood City, neighboring jurisdictions including unincorporated San Mateo County, the cities of Atherton and Menlo Park, and the Town of Woodside, all generate runoff into the Bayfront Canal via flows from the Atherton Channel and /or other drainage basins. ANALYSIS On November 22, 2010 the City Council held a study session on the Bayfront Canal drainage system, and formed a Storm Drainage Subcommittee comprised of Council Members Bain, Gee, and Pierce to facilitate regional collaboration. On March 25, 2011 a multi - jurisdictional meeting was held to explore the flooding issue, to propose a regional approach that will be required to address the challenge, and to identify and evaluate mitigation alternatives. This meeting was attended by policymakers and /or staff from Redwood City, Menlo Park, Atherton, Woodside, and San Mateo County. Based on this meeting, it was recognized and agreed that the jurisdictions outside of Redwood City contribute the majority of the stormwater flow that causes the flooding in Redwood City, as well as in Menlo Park. Subsequent to the jurisdictional meeting, staff met with other stakeholders including the Harbor Village Mobile Home Park owner, Stanford Medical Clinic, and the Friendly Acres Neighborhood Association to discuss their specific concerns. All parties recognize that any solution will involve multiple agencies, will be costly, and is needed as soon as possible. Flooding in the subject area is generally connected to two events: an intense storm and high tide. Because of the physical constraints of the drainage system, that is, because the outfalls are lower than the Bay surface during high tide, complete flood elimination is not practical. Through the course of this evaluation and discussions with other affected entities and property owners, a recommended course of action will develop, such that consensus for a project is achieved.