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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - January 2, 1997LODI CITY COUNCIL EMERGENCY CITY COUNCIL MEETING CARNEGIE FORUM, 305 WEST PINE STREET THURSDAY, JANUARY 2,1997 7:00 P.M. ROLL CALL Present: Council Members - Land, Mann, Sieglock, Warner and Pennino (Mayor) Absent: Council Members - None Also Present: City Manager Flynn, Public Works Director Ronsko, City Engineer Prima, Water/Wastewater Superintendent Forkas, Police Chief Hansen, Police Captain Adams, Fire Chief Kenley, Electric Utility Director Vallow, City Attorney Hays and City Clerk Perrin 2. NOTIFICATION Pursuant to Government Code §54956.5, the following persons were notified of this emergency City Council meeting by the Secretary to the City Manager: Mayor Council Members Representative of the Lodi News Sentinel Representative of The Record Further, a copy of these minutes shall be posted for public review for a minimum of ten days as soon after the meeting as possible. 3. CONSIDER DECLARATION OR RATIFICATION OF LOCAL EMERGENCY REGARDING FLOOD WATERS OF THE MOKELUMNE RIVER City Manager Flynn informed the City Council that at 10:00 a.m. this morning he declared a local emergency in regards to flood waters of the Mokelumne River. The purpose of this emergency City Council meeting is to hear an update on the matter and to ratify the City Manager's action. By 5:00 p.m. this evening, 25 counties in the State had declared an emergency. The San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services (OES) informed the City of Lodi this morning that it was declaring an emergency for San Joaquin County. The Lodi areas of greatest concern and having the biggest threat at this time is the Rivergate and Lodi Lake areas. In response to this emergency, the City of Lodi has opened an Emergency Operations Center (EOC), the City Manager has also called in newly -appointed Deputy City Manager Janet Keeter to act as the Public Information Officer, and the City Manager has released City employees who live in Sacramento County to deal with their situations at home. The Police Department will be conducting a river watch this evening in the areas of Rivergate and Lodi Lake. Further, the City Manager authorized the Fire Department to purchase its water rescue equipment. City Manager Flynn introduced newly -appointed Deputy City Manager Janet Keeter and Fire Chief Scott Kenley. Further, he thanked the news media for keeping everyone informed of the conditions both regionally and locally, East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) for keeping the City informed about Pardee Reservoir, and Public Works Director Ronsko and his staff for all of their hard work in the last 24 hours. Public Works Director Ronsko thanked his staff, especially Tom Evans who has been filling in for Street Superintendent George Bradley during his absence, and EBMUD, especially Jim Burgess, for their constant communication with the City of Lodi. The City of Lodi's basin system is functioning very well and can handle the storms. We are about half full and are going down, so Continued January 2, 1997 this is not a major worry right now. On Friday, December 27, 1996, EBMUD informed the City that it would be increasing the flows to the Mokelumne River. It did not appear to be a big problem, and staff decided to wait over the weekend to see any increases in the water levels. EBMUD estimated we would see an increase of approximately 1-1/2 feet. The increase was actually 1-1/2 to 2 feet. At that time City staff informed the residents of Rivergate by means of a notice. On Wednesday, January 1, 1997, EBMUD again increased the flow to 4,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). The river increased by only one foot, and the Rivergate residents were again noticed and staff met with the homeowners' association president. On Thursday morning, the flow was increased to 5,000 cfs, the maximum release. Staff had an emergency meeting with Public Works, Police and Fire to discuss necessary actions to address this increased release of flood waters. It was determined that a local EOC be set up at the Lodi Public Library, which was done that morning. In regards to Lodi Lake, staff felt it was necessary that the entrance to Lodi Lake be closed with a berm to keep water from flowing across Turner Road; a contractor has been put on notice to handle this. On Laurel Avenue it is necessary to install a 5 foot high retaining wall made of pipe and boards; the City has confirmed that we have or can get all of the fittings for the wall. Continental Cablevision has agreed to run advertisements throughout the day informing citizens of this emergency meeting and providing updated information to residents. Newly -appointed Deputy City Manager Keeter was called in as the Public Information Officer. The City received information from the County EOC on how best to sandbag and waterproof houses. Staff has prepared a brochure which is available to the public and will also be hand -delivered to the residents in Rivergate. The Red Cross will be utilizing the Grape Festival Grounds. The Building Inspectors are conducting levee inspections. The Police Department will be conducting a river watch throughout the night on every hour. Both Mr. Ronsko and the City Manager toured Rivergate to view the flows and the dam to get a good feel of the situation and the elevation of the river. This afternoon, EBMUD indicated that we had major flow from Pardee, and they estimate that Camanche would be filled Friday, January 3 between 8:00 a.m. and noon. There is a reader board in Rivergate in the lagoon so all of the residents can see the elevation of the river. Staff has determined that it will do a mandatory evacuation if the water begins to flow into the street. For that to happen, the river would have to rise an additional 4 to 5 feet. City Engineer Prima stated that Pardee Reservoir has already filled up, which is normal, and that Camanche River is for flood control, which is not yet full (it is 8 feet from the crest). There is still some control over the river, because once it gets to spill stage, it is still regulated at 5,000 cfs, unless the flows get out of hand. If it stops raining in that area, we are out of the woods. The predictions for the weather indicates cooler temperatures which should stop the snow runoff in the mountains. Following questions by Council, Mayor Pennino opened the discussion to the public. The following persons spoke on the matter: Bob Reinberger (unsure of spelling of name), 127 Mokelumne River Drive, questioned what the prognosis was for his area. Public Works Director Ronsko indicated that his area is substantially higher, as is Edgewood Drive, and he should not be concerned; 2. Don Walters, president of the Rivergate homeowners' association, 1327 Rivergate Drive, Lodi, thanked the Public Works Department for doing a great job in keeping the Rivergate area informed; however, he requested that the notices also provide up-to-the-minute information on the outflow at Camanche every four to six hours during the critical periods. Public Works Director Ronsko indicated that this information will be announced on Continental Cable Channel 3 and will be updated every hour or so. Mr. Walters requested that the residents in the Rivergate area have as much time as possible to plan for an evacuation. Further, he questioned if the residents living on the lagoon and river are affected the same as the residents who are not. Mr. Ronsko indicated those on the lagoon and the river will not benefit from sandbagging should the river flood. Instead, they would need to take precautions in waterproofing their homes; 2 Continued January 2, 1997 Council Member Mann requested that the information being advertised on cable also be put onto the City's Home Page. 3. Marty Weybret, representing the Lodi News Sentinel, 145 Mokelumne River Drive, Lodi, indicated that EBMUD has said they think they can hold the flows for a couple of days. Public Works Director Ronsko provided the following telephone numbers: • San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services (OES), 468-3962 • Lodi Emergency Operations Center (EOC), 365.7170 ACTION: The City Council, on motion of Council Member Warner, Mann second, unanimously ratified the City Manager's Declaration of Local Emergency regarding flood waters of the Mokelumne River. FILE NO. CC -6, CC -7(b), CC -184 4. COMMENTS BY THE PUBLIC ON NON -AGENDA ITEMS None. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Pennino adjourned the meeting at approximately 8:00 p.m. ATTEST: nifer M. rrin Clerk 3