02-06-1978 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Bob Rendy stated that the plan had been presented to the Board of Supervisors on January 17, 1978 and that they had directed the EMA, prior to any Board action, to present the plan to the cities involved and to the interested citizens; that the Board continued the matter to February 22, 1978; that the desire of the EMA is to provide a plan to address as broad a range of needs as possible while ~rovidin~ desirable flood control: and that it is their obiective to ~resent the ~lan alternatives and the impacts of each. Mr. Jim Miller, Project Manager, stated that the Environmental Management Agency had initiated the study because of the flood hazard that exists along the Santiago Creek; that the Corps of Engineers prepared a plan in June 1975 to accommodate a design storm (estimated 100 year storm) generating 21,000 cubic feet per second of water; that without flood control, such a storm would inundate 6,500 acres with more than one foot of water involving an estimated 16,600 residential structures and cause damage estimated to cost $87 million; that the 1969 storm was less than one-third of the intensity of the design storm, but nevertheless caused considerable damage; that to avoid the undesirable Corps of Engineers design, the EMA proposes to raise the crest of the Santiago Dam and to build a retarding basin north of Chapman Avenue; that the most expensive design alternative would cost $8.5 million. Mr. Miller continued by explaining in detail the configurations, right-of-way require- ments, cost, and advantages and disadvantages of each of the six proposed alternatives. Councilman Ward read a statement reflecting the views of citizens compiled as the result of numerous public meetings and consensus of Council, requesting further alternate design proposals more acceptable to the City of Santa Aha including the elimination of all horse trails within the City limits and bicycle trails in the creek bed, no public access along the creek bed between Flower Street and the Santa Ana River, except for emergency and maintenance purposes. The Councilman further suggested that additional consideration be given to flow reduction and retention measures upstream and that further consideration be given to developing a design without vertical walls to provide adequate flood protection while maintaining the existing right-of-way and natural state of the existing channel. Councilman Bricken concurred with these comments emphasizing the fact that citizens along the Creek want flood control, but not at the cost of completely sacrificing the desirable aspects of the Creek. On the motion of Councilman Ward, seconded by Councilman Bricken, Staff was directed to advise the Flood Control District and the Board of Supervisors that Santa Ana seeks new alternatives which can achieve flood control in a manner more acceptable to Santa Ana residents, carried 7:0 unanimously. Rudy Montejano, 2360 Riverside Drive, representing the North Santa Ana Homeowners Association, stated that the Council action taken was approved by the northeast and northwest area citizens. He emphasized that the future viability of the City of Santa Ana depends upon the protection and maintenance of its residential neighborhoods of all ethnic backgrounds; that the City needs all of them to maintain itself as a place where people want to live. A further motion by Councilman Garthe, seconded by Councilman Brandt, and carried 6:1, with Councilman Yamamoto dissenting, was to direct Staff to assure the Flood Control District and the Board of Supervisors that Santa Ana wishes to achieve improved flood control measures from the Santiago Creek downstream along the Santa Aha River to the extent that it will eliminate the present Federal requirement for homeowners flood insurance. CA 53; CA 112.16 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 52 FEBRUARY 6, 1978