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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2021.01.12 @600 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO GENERAL PLAN UPDATE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE Meeting held at: Teleconference meeting Tuesday, January 12, 2021 6:00 p.m. Call to Order Meeting called to order at 6:00 p.m. Roll Call COMMITTEE PRESENT: Roderick Bovee, Kristy Camacho (6:15), Robert Cavalieri Eddie Flores, Sophie Martin, Julie Ann Murphy, John Skerry, Bill Zemke, Nick Maiden, Steven Yee (7:05pm) COMMITTEE ABSENT: Rehman Baig, Sam Shihadeh ALTERNATE PRESENT: Alan Wong Public Comment None. Consent Calendar 1. Approval of the Meeting Minutes of December 8, 2020 Committee Member Eddie Flores moved and Committee Member Julie Ann Murphy seconded a motion to approve the meeting minutes of December 8, 2020 as submitted. The motion passed. New Business 2. Community Forum – Sea Level Rise and Flooding Eric Yurkovich provided an overview of the General Plan update process to-date. He provided an overview of the flood hazards in South San Francisco. Dave Pine, Supervisor, San Mateo County, provided an overview of sea level rise and the science behind it. Supervisor Pine reviewed the sea level rise projections. He reviewed the County Vulnerability Assessment scenarios and options to preparing for sea level rise. He noted efforts underway to protect SFO and work planned for the Foster City levee. Supervisor Pine also noted efforts to restore wetlands in East Menlo Park. He noted that San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority was formed to raise and allocate resources for the restoration of the bay and shoreline. He also discussed the newly formed San Mateo County Flood and Sea Level Rise Resiliency District which includes all cities and the County to work on flooding, sea level rise, erosion and regional stormwater retention. Jeremy Lowe, San Francisco Estuary Institute-Acquatic Science Center. He noted that the Institute was formed in 1986 to monitor water quality in the bay. He reviewed the Adaptation Atlas that provides nature based plan for sea level rise in the bay, which provides opportunities for future discussion and investigation. Mr. Lowe reviewed different adaptation measures and opportunities for combining traditional measures with nature based measures in urban settings. He discussed the nature based opportunities for the Colma-San Bruno region, including opportunities in Colma Creek. Richard Mullane, Hassell Studio, discussed the Resilient by Design study to create resilient communities in the bay area. He noted that further study was completed for Colma Creek to see what can be done with the public land adjacent to the creek. The effort focused on managing flooding and sea level rise impacts, restore creek ecologies and increase public access to the creek and bay trail. Mr. Mullane reviewed design options to improve natural edges and tidal zones along the creek. Mike Futrell, City Manager, South San Francisco, commented on the significance of the work already completed and the complexity of approaching sea level rise in South San Francisco. He noted that multiple approaches may need to be utilized in South San Francisco. Mr. Futurell provided an overview of strategies being pursued including requiring developers prepare adjacent shorelines for sea level rise; including raising the bay trail, adding marsh area and reconstructing a beach. He also noted project to protect the former landfill area from sea level rise. Mr. Futrell discuss working with US Army Corp of Engineers to address flooding in the southern portion of South San Francisco. Regardless of the approach taken, it will be very costly and City is pursuing federal funding. He also noted need to protect City’s wastewater treatment plant. Mr. Futrell discussed the water retention and restoration project at Orange Park adjacent to Colma Creek. Committee and public comments and questions:  Any concerns with quality of water in the canal and public access? Mike Futurell responded, yes, there are standards for water quality and working to ensure trash stays out of the creek and the new project will clean the water.  .Why does the Colma Creek project stop at Orange Park? Richard Mullane noted it was intended as a starting point to address flood risk which is mostly downstream from the park.  Do we have concern with coastal erosion? Mike Futurell does not believe this is an issue here. There is a bluff to protect the shoreline.  Gita Dev commented that sea level rise planning needs to be completed by 2050. She noted that the opportunity for natural solutions to achieve a healthy lifestyle. She asked how a vision can be included in the General Plan. Eric Yurkovich noted that the General Plan can be a vessel of the past and vision for the future. Need to make sure we focus on areas where City has control and influence. Mike Futrell agreed that it important to have aspirational vision in the General Plan. He sees opportunity with land developments adjacent to the creek to see how improvements can be made.  Arthur Keller, asked when nature slope levee will be built and flood project completed? Mike Futrell noted the projects in SSF includes raising bay trail.  When will Orange Park project start? Mike Futrell noted that project will take 18 months for water project, then another 18 months to rebuild park, 3 years in total. Only impact ballfield area.  Any opportunity for residents to support projects? Supervisor Dave Pine commented on the challenges for finding funding for projects. The Measure AA parcel tax helps fund wetlands. May need to go to the voters in future for funding. Richard Mullane noted there is an application for funding for a portion of Colma Creek project. He also noted there will be additional community outreach on designs.  Eileen McLaughlin, commented that the plan needs to be readjusted to new state and federal standards as they are updated. She also commented on ground water impacts over time may be impacting utilities and roadways. Jeremey Lowe noted that they are mapping the regional ground water supply and how it changes and may be impacted by the bay.  How will the Adaptation Chart be used? Richard Mullane noted that the plan includes short, medium and long term plans. He also noted that restoration efforts up the creek and at the bay edge. Jeremy Lowe noted that the Atlas was intended to show approaches along different segments to provide a more holistic approach. It should be used to show opportunities and determine if they are feasible and workable.  John Skerry, asked how much naturalizing Colma Creek would help address sea level rise? Jeremy Lowe noted that it will help with flood risk with adaptations to provide more area for water including raising levees. Dave Javid presented a list of key resources that will be included on the project website. Staff Comments None. CAC Member Comments None. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for February 9, 2021 at 6:00 pm.