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Public Comment: Janet Borgens referenced a presentation slide regarding the Atherton Channel and how it impacts Redwood City. She spoke about the need for the Fifth Avenue pump station to benefit the whole City and it is not just a problem for certain areas. She expressed her appreciation that people are willing to come together to work on fixes and she made some suggestions to address flooding issues in old and new areas. Council Discussion: One Council Member framed the discussion as an ongoing flooding issue in the Friendly Acres neighborhood, not just Stanford-driven. He clarified that City Council had requested this study session and expressed high hopes to solve this problem, and while it is clear that it cannot necessarily be solved, the City can reduce the problem. He said there are options and next steps that need to be discussed regarding all the pump stations. He would like to know the costs associated with the options and diverting some of the water. This Council Member recommended a subcommittee be created to work on this. Another Council Member asked about the different options in terms of effectiveness, rough costs, and the amount of impacts. Mr. Vorametsanti stated that whatever they do will likely improve the situation. However, he said it will not solve it as they must work against nature, the old bayfront canal has limited capacity and they keep having to pump against high tides. He spoke about long-term options: regional assistance from the San Mateo County Flood Control District will require collaboration and the financial cost will be significant if they succeed in creating a funding source for a pump station at the large size needed. This Council Member asked if this would solve the problem and Mr. Vorametsanti responded that it will eject more water into bay, regardless of where it comes from; and, he thinks there is a high potential for improvement. This Council Member asked about the possibility of redirecting it further north and Mr. Vorametsanti cautioned that there is a need to be careful because of impacts on existing conditions. This Council Member also spoke about the need for incremental solutions. She agrees with the committee idea to work on other options and she would like to include a workshop on sea level rise with five year and fifty year plans. She would like the City to discuss and work with other jurisdictions. Another Council Member echoed the comments of his Council colleagues regarding the flooding of neighborhoods and businesses as unacceptable and that there is not any one solution to solve the problems, but likely a series of incremental solutions. He expressed doubt that colleagues from other jurisdictions are as interested in solving this problem that has been under discussion for many years. He commented he would be happy to serve on a committee on this matter, but he does not get a sense of urgency, interest or desire from other cities to help out, and that he hopes that is not the case. One Council Member wants to see actionable areas of focus, with or without cooperation from other jurisdictions, such as the idea of a dam and seeking reimbursement for the cost. She supports the idea of a Council subcommittee, going beyond the bureaucracies of 18 agencies. JOINT CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOARD November 22, 2010 MEETING MINUTES PAGE 7 MINUTE BOOK NO. 63 Page No. 225