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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSupplemental Information Distributed after Posting of Agenda from Robert GoldbergRobin Roberts From: Robert Goldberg <rgoldberg @live.com> Sent: Monday, January 16, 2017 7:49 PM To: Jill Ingram Cc: Robin Roberts; Jim Basham; Michael Ho; Ellery A. Deaton; Mike Varipapa; Sandra Massa - Lavitt; Thomas Moore; ssustarcis @sealbeachca.gov Subject: Questions for Emergency Council Meeting on Pump Station Failure Attachments: Questions for Emergency Council Meeting.doc Jill, Please find attached my questions for staff for Tuesday's meeting. Thank you, Robert Questions for Emergency Council Meeting Prior to Floodinq on Thursday. January 12th The staff report narrative indicates that Pump 1 at the WEPS failed sometime prior to Friday, January 6th, and that Pump 2 "registered a failure as well" on the 6th. At least one portable pump had been deployed to the station following the loss of both station pumps, and was observed to be discharging rainwater early Monday morning. Why was there no mention of the failure of both WEPS pumps at the Council meeting Monday night during the City Manager's Report? Why was there no mention of any deployment of portable pumps to the WEPS in response to Councilwoman Deaton's later question regarding the criteria for deployment? Why wasn't an emergency proclamation presented to Council at their regular meeting on January 9th? What new information does the City have now that they did not have at that time? Dav of Floodin From approximately 8:15 a.m. through at least 9:40 a.m., there were various traffic lanes completely submerged under 6+ inches of water. While the City staff were aware of these impairments, there was no traffic control to reduce the risk of accidents. Road blockage first began in the vicinity of the Marina Apts on the south -side, east- bound lane of Marina Ave and extended several hundred yards towards 5th St. This flooding occurred as a "king" tide peaked at 8:33 a.m. severely impairing the gravity flow of this watershed through its discharge pipe at the Marina Ave Bridge. Public Works staff were aware of the flooding on Marina Ave, as several employees were observed futilely attempting to clear leaves from catch basins before realizing that the contribution of the king tide. By 9:00 a.m., water completely submerged both lanes of the 200 block of Corsair Way. A Public Works employee drove through the flooded street and spoke to a resident. At 9:30 a.m., I observed the south -bound lane of 1st Street to be inundated in the vicinity of the Eaves Apartments. I saw the driver of a City pick -up truck observe these conditions as well. Why was there no traffic control, no warning cones /signs? Why was there no response from our Police Emergency Services Bureau? Staff Report On page 2, the first full paragraph states that `Approximately, a week ago, during a moderate rain event, public works staff responded to a failure notification at WEPS regarding one of the larger pumps Pump I. "The time reference here is unclear. What was the date of this failure notification for Pump 1? The second full paragraph goes on to state that after the Pump 2 `registered a failure as well' on Friday, January 6'h, that staff deployed two portable pumps to provide backup. Early on the following morning of January 10th (Tuesday), I observed only one portable pump at the station. When and why did staff remove one of the two portable pumps? The second full paragraph also states that "Staff ordered a third portable pump." What is the date that staff ordered the third pump? When was the third pump delivered to the City? The second sentence of the third full paragraph on page 2 states "On Tuesday, January 11." However, January 11th is a Wednesday. Note that this error is repeated in Resolution 6708. What is the correct date reference here? The final paragraph on page 2 states that pumps will be repaired sequentially rather than both at once. Attachment B, a letter from Flo- Services indicates that this is at the request of the City. Each repair will take 10 -12 working days. What is the rationale for doing the repairs sequentially rather than both at once? Preparations for "Down Pours" Predicted for this Thursday. January 19th The Monday LA Times predicted "downpours" for the beach cities on Thursday. What contingency planning is the City doing for potential repeat flooding? Could the City activate the Reverse -911 system, post warning signs about parking in low -lying areas, deliver filled sand -bags to homeowners at risk of home flooding?