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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRA Minutes 1995-02-06SRRA MINUTES (Regular) 2/6/95 Page 1 IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1995, AT 7:30 PM Regular Meeting: Present: Albert J. Boro, Chairman San Rafael Redevelopment Agency Barbara Heller, Member David J. Zappetini, Member Absent: Paul M. Cohen, Member Also Present: Pamela J. Nicolai, Executive Director Clark E. Guinan, Assistant Agency Attorney Jeanne M. Leoncini, Agency Secretary ORAL COMMUNICATIONS OF AN URGENCY NATURE CONSENT CALENDAR Member Zappetini moved and Member Heller seconded, to approve the recommended action on the following Consent Calendar item: ITEM RECOMMENDED ACTION 1. Approval of Minutes of Regular Meeting of Approved as submitted. January 17, 1995 (AS) AYES: MEMBERS: Heller and Zappetini NOES: MEMBERS: None ABSENT: MEMBERS: Cohen ABSTAINED: MEMBERS: Chairman Boro (Due to absence from meeting) AGENCY CONSIDERATION 2. STORM DRAINAGE MASTER PLAN FOR BRET HARTE/PICNIC VALLEY AND MAHON CREEK - IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM (PW) - File R-54 x (SRCC) 12-9 Assistant Executive Director Bernardi explained that CSW/ST2 prepared a Final Master Plan and Implementation Program for the Bret Harte/Picnic Valley and Mahon Creek drainage areas. He noted currently we have a number of projects through the Agency that are funded as shown on the last page of the staff report, and it is our intention to bring back to the Agency during budget time the re -prioritization of the projects that are currently on the books. Listed in the staff report are possible funding sources. He introduced Engineer Andrew Preston, who presented the results of their analysis. Mr. Preston introduced Dominic Selmi, Chief Engineer with CSW/ST2 and co-author of the Report, and former City Engineer for San Rafael. He also welcomed Jit Pandhar, CalTrans Engineer. Mr. Preston showed slides from 1993 of flooding in the Bret Harte, Picnic Valley and Mahon Creek areas, which he explained is the kind of flooding we get on a regular basis, once or twice a year. He also referred to display panels showing both the existing conditions and the Storm Drain Master Plan. He explained that currently the Bret Harte/Picnic Valley and Gerstle Park areas are drained through two major drainage systems, the Bret Harte/Picnic Valley System and the Mahon Creek System. Both systems are separate but interdependent on each other, whereby when one overflows, it overflows into the other system. Mr. Preston explained the reason for the flooding in these areas is because they are both severely restricted in the downstream reaches. SRRA MINUTES (Regular) 2/6/95 Page 1 SRRA MINUTES (Regular) 2/6/95 Page 2 The major restriction of the Bret Harte/Picnic Valley System is the CalTrans concrete box culvert under Highway 101, which connects all the drainage channels for the Bret Harte/Picnic Valley area to the Rossi Pump Station. The box culvert is undersized for the amount of water it has to take and is also structurally deficient. CalTrans has reinforced the top of the structure, but has actually made the situation worse by reducing the size. The box culvert and pump station were built in the 1950's, and the surrounding land has settled, which means the water has to get up two feet to get to the box culvert. The solution that we and CalTrans have come up with is the focal point of the new Storm Drainage Master Plan, which is for CalTrans to build, at their cost, a new pump station relocated between Irwin Street bridge and Grand Avenue bridge, next to the existing Sanitation District pump station. In addition to the pump station, they will also build a large diameter pipe under the Irwin Street off -ramp and build a large culvert under the freeway. The City will then pick up their portion of the Master Plan which involves several phases, which can be found in the CSW/ST2 Implementation Plan. The major restriction in the Mahon Creek System is the railroad trestle; that is the most narrow point of the creek. The first priority is the removal of that trestle, as well as the timber bulkheads that line either side of the trestle, and widen the creek. Early discussions with Golden Gate Transit show them to be fairly receptive to removing the trestle. The Lindaro Street system is a small drainage system which drains to the Lindaro Street Pump Station and then into Mahon Creek. It was put in in 1960 as a temporary pump station to relieve the flooding, and is coming to the end of its design life. It is too small, structurally unsound, and the electrical controllers are obsolete and need replacing. The cost of the work is $1.8 million for the Bret Harte System; just over $100,000 of that is a portion in Andersen Drive extension which will be done as part of that job. The Mahon Creek System will cost $5.5 million. The recommendation is to initially concentrate on Phase M2 - Removal of Railroad Trestle and Bulkheads for about $290, 000. The Lindaro System will be about $466,000. The Report recommends an implementation and phasing of the whole Bret Harte Drainage System and the Bret Harte portion as soon as we can, as well as Phase M1 and M2 of the Mahon Creek System and the Lindaro Street Pump Station and C Street connection as soon as we can. That total package is approximately $2.5 million. Mr. Preston presented a chart which showed what the Redevelopment Agency presently has in its current 3 -year allocation for storm drainage projects in and around this area: Bret Harte Drainage $700,000 Albert Park Drainage Channel 550,000 Storm Drain Condition Survey 100,000 Canal St. Culvert Replacement 775,000 $2,125,000 Mr. Preston stated the Agency may wish to consider the reallocation of some of these funds to the Storm Drainage Implementation Plan. Chairman Boro asked if the culvert under the highway was scheduled for 1995. Mr. Preston stated that CalTrans will be starting work on the design in the Spring of 1996 and they hope to be out to bid in the Fall of 1996. Presently, CalTrans has no funding for their portion of the project. Mr. Preston stated that even if we did our project before CalTrans, we would still have much benefit from draining the area. SRRA MINUTES (Regular) 2/6/95 Page 2 SRRA MINUTES (Regular) 2/6/95 Page 3 Member Heller asked how long it will take to do the CalTrans work. Mr. Preston answered it would be approximately nine months to do the design and approximately twelve months to do the construction. Member Zappetini asked if we are going to abandon the rotted pipes under the street. Mr. Preston stated that some will be abandoned; they will be plugged with concrete and light -weight fill. Mr. Zappetini asked if we are changing the flow of the water. Mr. Preston replied "Yes". Member Heller asked if the M1 and M2 phases needed to be completed prior to the Bret Harte System. Mr. Preston answered they can be done at the same time. He recommen-ded we start negotiations as soon as we can and try to get Golden Gate Transit to remove the trestle and do the widening there as soon as possible. He stated M1 in-cludes working with the City Attorney's Office to work out all the present ownership of easements along Mahon Creek. Ms. Heller asked how long the easement acquisitions will take and do we have the staff to begin on something like that. Mr. Ours stated we do not have the staff, and we would most likely go to a title company, as we are talking about hundreds of acquisitions. Mr. Bernardi indicated there are firms who do this for a living. Chairman Boro asked if we are expecting the Transit District to pick up the approx-imate $300,000 rather than the Redevelopment Agency. Mr. Bernardi stated we have to negotiate with the Bridge District the fact that the new bridge trestle will be longer, but the Agency should not have to pay for replacement of the existing structurally inadequate structure. He noted we would pay for the extra costs the District incurs if we widen the creek at that location, and we would negotiate that with the Bridge District staff. Member Zappetini moved and Member Heller seconded, to accept the report and adopt a Resolution to implement the Storm Drain Master Plan for Bret parte/Picnic Valley and Mahon Creek drainage areas. RESOLUTION 95-2 - RESOLUTION TO IMPLEMENT THE STORM DRAINAGE MASTER PLAN FOR BRET HARTE/PICNIC VALLEY AND MAHON CREEK DRAINAGE AREAS (as outlined in the CSW/ST2 Implementation Plan as funding becomes available). AYES: MEMBERS: Heller, Zappetini & Chairman Boro NOES: MEMBERS: None ABSENT: MEMBERS: Cohen 3. REPORT ON FARMERS' MARKET AND APPROVAL OF OPERATION CONTRACT WITH MORAN AND ASSOCIATES FOR 1995 FARMERS' MARKET (RA) - File R-309 x R-181 Assistant Executive Director Ours reported we are entering the sixth year with the Farmers' Market, and each year becomes more successful. He noted we are trying to be more responsive to area merchants, and looked into some of the following concerns: relocating the market to a different part of the street, upgrading the quality of the market by having a uniform look and feel in the non-food vending areas, removing the cars from the streets, and cutting back on some of the music. The Board is asking to close the street a half hour early for set-up time, and for one member of the Agency to be appointed to the Market Board. Chairman Boro asked why the signings with the baseball players did not go well. Mr. Ours stated it had been done as a promotion, but the merchant did not make any money. Member Heller asked what the process was for choosing a community member on the Board of Directors. Mr. Ours there are currently two vacancies from the community, and the SRRA MINUTES (Regular) 2/6/95 Page 3 SRRA MINUTES (Regular) 2/6/95 Page 4 Board has contacted the Federation of Neighborhoods for recommendations. He asked the Agency to assist with any names. Member Heller asked about the success of the in-line skating. Mr. Ours stated that event had been put on by Demo Ski; it was a success, and if they want to do it again and we have room for it, we would like to do it again. Member Heller moved and Member Zappetini seconded, to approve the operation of the Downtown Farmers' Market Festival from April 6, 1995 through October 12, 1995, along with the street closures beginning at 5:00 PM and ending at 10:00 PM. AYES: MEMBERS: Heller, Zappetini & Chairman Boro NOES: MEMBERS: None ABSENT: MEMBERS: Cohen Member Zappetini moved and Member Heller seconded, to adopt a Resolution authorizing the Assistant Executive Director to execute a contract with Celebrations (formerly known as Moran and Associates) to operate the Downtown Farmers' Market Festival for 1995. RESOLUTION NO. 95-3 - AUTHORIZING THE ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH CELEBRATIONS (FORMERLY KNOWN AS MORAN AND ASSOCIATES) TO OPERATE THE DOWNTOWN FARMERS' MARKET FESTIVAL FOR 1995. Chairman Boro noted the $20, 000 loaned to Moran and Associates last year to fund the Farmers' Market has been repaid, and they are now operating on their own. Mr. Ours pointed out there is a slight surplus every year, and the Market Board looks into reinvesting in things that go back to the downtown area. AYES: MEMBERS: Heller, Zappetini & Chairman Boro NOES: MEMBERS: None ABSENT: MEMBERS: Cohen 4. PARKING LOT CLOSURE FOR WESTERN SPORT SHOP FLY FISHING EVENT ON SATURDAY, APRIL 8 1995 (RA) - File R-140 #8 x (SRCC) 11-19 Assistant Executive Director Ours explained this is another event sponsored by a local merchant where they move out of their store into a City parking lot. Western Sport Shop is putting on a fly fishing clinic/exhibition and should attract a number of people to our downtown. Member Zappetini moved and Member Heller seconded, to approve the parking lot closure on Saturday, April 6, 1995, from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM for the Western Sport Shop Fly Fishing Event. AYES: MEMBERS: Heller, NOES: MEMBERS: None ABSENT: MEMBERS: Cohen 3. AGENCY MEMBER REPORTS IQ7"s=_ Zappetini & Chairman Boro There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 PM. SRRA MINUTES (Regular) 2/6/95 Page 4 SRRA MINUTES (Regular) 2/6/95 Page 5 JEANNE M. LEONCINI, Agency Secretary SRRA MINUTES (Regular) 2/6/95 Page 5