Aug. 12 City Manager observations

CITY OF SOUTH LAKE TAHOE
Electronic Version

August 12, 2007

MANAGEMENT OBSERVATIONS
Abbreviated

THREAT OF FLOODING FROM ANGORA FIRE RUNOFF ASSESSED

On Friday of last week (August 10, 2007) the Director of Public Works, met with the Fire Chief, City Attorney and City Manager to discuss the possibility of flooding from the Angora Fire burn area and the precautionary measures that will be taken to protect persons and properties in the City limits adjacent to the burn area should heavy rains occur.

City storm drainage consultants Kennedy/Jenks who are preparing the City’s storm drainage and erosion-control master plan have been engaged by the Director to evaluate situation and the type of drainage facilities needed to protect persons and properties in the City limits from runoff. Key Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board staff is also visiting the burn area site next week to further evaluate the situation.

None of know for certain if heavy rains will come this winter. We don’t have a crystal ball. We do believe that if heavy rains do come later this year, the proposed USFS Angora Fire mitigation measures for the first year are inadequate to handle the runoff and contain the runoff within the USFS perimeter. Even the Natural Resources and Conservation Serve (another U.S. Department of Agriculture Agency) agree that flooding could happen from the burn area impacting City residents. Temporary storm water basins should be constructed and maintained on USFS burn area properties to handle the runoff from these areas.

The Director of Public Works is preparing handout materials and wants to host a community meeting of people directly at risk to discuss the Angora Fire runoff matter and what the City and they can do to prevent flooding of their homes from burn area runoff. They will begin distributing materials and informing the public in the affected areas within the next few days and hold a meeting with residents and property owners within the next fourteen days. Door-to-door contact will be made as well.

Getting out information to the public in a timely manner about the potential threat of flooding and steps they should take is important.

MOU WITH TRPA FOR TREE REMOVAL UPDATE
A third revised MOU, with minor changes from the previous draft, was received on Thursday of last week from TRPA Executive Director John Singlaub and is being reviewed by the Fire Chief and me. The revisions appear to be non-substantive and should allow us to start our tree marking program this week.

AIRPORT NOISE MONITORING SYSTEM IN PLACE
The City’s Airport Manager informed us on August 6, 2007 that the airport’s new noise monitoring system is now in place and a sixty (60) day calibration process has begun. Noise monitoring will better help City and airport officials manage the airport and ensure compliance with adopted noise standards.

NEW TRACK TO BE DEDICATED
School Superintendent Dr. James Tarwater informed me this week that the dedication for the cooperatively-financed and built new Olympic track and field project will be held on September 21, 2007. Please mark your calendars. Details will follow soon.


DAVID JINKENS
City Manager