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Home My WebLink About082107 CC Special Meeting Minutes I I I MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE TEMECULA CITY COUNCIL AUGUST 21, 2007 The City Council convened at 3:01 p.m. on Tuesday, August 21, 2007, in the City Council Chambers of Temecula City Hall, 43200 Business Park Drive, Temecula, California. Present: Council Members: Comerchero, Edwards, Naggar, Roberts, Washington. Absent: Council Member: None. COUNCIL BUSINESS 1. Murrieta Creek Phase IIlmDrovements Thanking all representatives for their attendance of this meeting, Council Member Edwards introduced Assistant City Manager Johnson. Assistant City Manager Johnson provided a brief staff report (of written material), and introduced Riverside County Flood Control Representative Rusty Williams. Mr. Williams thanked the City for its initiation of the meeting and provided a brief history as to the funding mechanism and phases of the proposed restoration project. Mr. Williams introduced Riverside County Flood Control representative Zully Smith and Project Manager Army Corps of Engineers, David Vandorpe. Deputy District Engineer of the Army Corps of Engineers, Brian Moore, congratulated the Cities of Temecula and Murrieta for the retention of $11.2 million dollars already appropriated for this project, advising that this project would be ahead of the many needed projects around the country; and commented on the competition for Federal funds. By way of PowerPoint Presentation, Ms. Smith and Mr. Vandorpe provided a report with regard to the completion of the entire Murrieta Creek Flood Control Environmental Restoration and Recreation Project, highlighting the following aspects of the project: . Murrieta Creek Rancho California Bridge Restoring the Levees in 1993 . Corps of Engineers contacted in 1993 . Congressional Authorization for project in 2000 . 35% Non Federal Contribution and Leases, Easements, Rights-of-Way, Relocation, and Disposal (LERRDS) . Existing Condition and Proposed Design . Murrieta Creek Phase 1 - Construction . Murrieta Creek Phase 2 - First Street Bridge to Winchester Road . Murrieta Creek Phase 3 - Detention Basin . Murrieta Creek Phase 4 - Elm Street to Tenaja Road . Flood Control Element . Environmental Restoration Project . Recreation Element - Sports Park . Recreation Element - Trails . Schedule . Funding. R:IMinutesl082107 I I I For Mayor McAllister, Mr. Vandorpe advised that the construction costs of Phase 3 would be significantly more than Phase 2; that the cost would be approximately $29 to $30 million which would include construction as well as land; and that the project would need to be built from down stream to up stream. In response to Mayor Pro Tem Gibbs' query, Deputy District Engineer Moore relayed that there was not a FY -2008 submittal from the United States Army; that due to the issues of Hurricane Katrina, funds are being appropriated by Congress; and that the president was of the opinion that other water projects around the country were in greater need; that the FY-2009 budget will be released in February 2008; and that the need for this project as well as other projects is always articulated to the president. Riverside County Flood Control Representative Williams commended the City on the funds that it has received for this project. For Mayor Washington, Mr. Williams relayed that he would not recommend changing the design plan for the project; that the project has been federally authorized and that if significant changes were to occur, staff would be required to provide another environmental document and would need to go through another authorization process. Mayor Washington added that the project would offer a recreational aspect as well as a habitat environment. For Field Representative Lane of Assemblyman Jeffries' Office, Mr. Vandorpe noted that the proposed time frame as shown by way of PowerPoint would be the optimal schedule but will be adjusted with the FY-2008 budget; and that the $13 million for Phase 2 would include construction costs, design costs, management costs, and environmental documentation costs. For Ms. Long, representing the Resource Conservation District, Mr. Williams noted that the project would have a natural environmental stream with ponding, noting that there will be no maintenance involved. Referencing Council Member Edwards' question, Mr. Moore relayed that money from the City may be advanced and credited up to its local share. Council Member Roberts noted that it would be his opinion that the flood control project should be restructured. Mayor McAllister queried on how the two cities can help with the efforts to deliver the message in the most effective manner. Representing Congressman Issas's Office, Mr. Paule suggested that the Cities inform senators of this regard and its funding needs. Mr. Garrett, representing Senator Boxer's Office, encouraged staff to continue with its efforts and to apply for grants for the recreational aspect portion and water quality portion; and that staff may explore www.cfda.aov for more information. City Manager Nelson relayed that a presentation would need to be taken to Congress that would graphically depict the impacts to the region of a 1 OO-year storm. Mayor McAllister concurred with City Manager Nelson's suggestion of presenting a full PowerPoint Presentation depicting the impacts of a 100-year storm. R:\Minutes1082107 2 Representing Congressman Bono's Office, Ms. Wright advised that a grant workshop with regard to municipalities applying for grants will be conducted in Murrieta, November 2007. I Council Member Comerchero noted that perhaps it would be necessary to hire consultants to give direction to staff on how to deliver the message and presentation to acquire the funds needed. Mayor Washington concurred with Council Member Comerchero's comment. Mr. Williams also noted that it would be beneficial to relay the indirect impacts of flooding. Mr. Carrillo, representing Senator Feinstein's Office, stated that in order to acquire funds form the federal government, the region of Southwest Riverside County would have to demonstrate that the project was the top priority in the county. He also suggested that maybe not all the aspects of the creek project would be critical such as a 50-acre sports project. Mr. Truet, Temecula, queried on the amount of money being requested. Mr. Williams noted that Phase 2 would be estimated to be $13 million. Mr. Herb Smith, Temecula, thanked the Council for its efforts in moving this project forward. Thanking the City Council for bringing this meeting forward and providing a history with regard to the Murrieta Creek project, Mr. Enoch, Temecula, relayed that it would be important to put the pressure on the representatives of the two cities. I Field representative Lane suggested that the continuation of monthly meetings with regard to the Murrieta Creek Flood Control, Environmental Restoration and Recreation project. City Manager Nelson relayed the importance of creating a presentation that will give history to the damage that was caused in 1993, demonstrating the regional impacts of a 1 OO-year storm. Council Member Edwards thanked all for attending the meeting. ADJOURNMENT At 4:47 p.m. the City Council meeting was formally adjourned to Tuesday, August 28, 2007, at 5:30 P.M., for a Closed Session with regular session commencing at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 43200 Business Park Drive, Temecula, Califor 'a. ;/ / / L/Y/' ATTEST: tJ I [SEAL) R:\Minutes1082107 3