Zone 7 Meeting - June 29, 2022
2. Open Session and Report Out of Closed Session 6. Adoption of a Flood Management Plan MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ZONE 7 ALAMEDA COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT SPECIAL MEETING JUNE 29, 2022 The following were present: DIRECTORS: SANDY FIGUERS DENNIS GAMBS LAURENE GREEN SARAH PALMER ANGELA RAMIREZ HOLMES OLIVIA SANWONG MICHELLE SMITH MCDONALD ZONE 7 STAFF: VALERIE PRYOR, GENERAL MANAGER OSBORN SOLITEI, TREASURER/ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER, FINANCE JARNAIL CHAHAL, ENGINEERING MANAGER JEFF TANG, ACTING PRINCIPAL ENGINEER DONNA FABIAN, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT COUNSEL: REBECCA SMITH, DOWNEY BRAND Item 1 - Closed Session The Board went into Closed Session at 5:19 p.m. and Director Figuers arrived at 5:34 p.m. The Board came out of Closed Session at 5:46 p.m. Item 2 - 2. Open Session and Report Out of Closed Session Vice President Palmer stated that the Board conferred with Legal Counsel and there was nothing to report. Item 3 - Item 4 - 4. Roll Call of Directors - All Directors were present. Item 5 - 5. Public Comment - none Item 6 - 6. Adoption of a Flood Management Plan Mike Inamine, Project Manager for the HDR team that prepared the Flood Management Plan (FMP), gave a review of the FMP. Tom Chapman, also of HDR, described the document at a high level stating it is not a typical planning study that formulates evaluates and recommends solutions to specific problems. It is a much broader strategic document that sets the Agency's strategy for flood management. Mr. Chapman reviewed the document giving the background and purpose for the FMP, an overview of Zone 7's flood protection, including a description of flood protection system and flood management roles and responsibilities, historic storms and associated damages, overview of the people, property and environmental setting at risk due to storm events and flooding, risks to the system and agency, and future risks to the flood protection system and agency under status quo and factors that contribute to future risk. Mr. Inamine then discussed the proposed next steps if the FMP were approved. Director Gambs had a question on the Executive Summary and asked if urbanization includes channelization or is that something that should be added since it is a factor that could be characterized as a stressor. Mr. Inamine replied no as they are two separate things, but he will look at that specific sentence. Director Gambs added that he wanted to make sure that recreation does not necessarily have to be water related. Director Green stated she was curious to know about the role of the Alameda County hydrology and hydraulics manual. Mr. Inamine stated they spent some time with Alameda County, but could not answer that specifically. Director Green asked for a better understanding of the event flow models and if they had to do with construction and changes in the environment. Mr. Inamine replied that Zone 7 has the most current modeling for this region and the biggest change is the impacts of climate change for a sustainable system. Director Sanwong asked if the timeline on page 7 of the report could be updated to clarify the end of Phase 1 and the initiation of Phase 2. She also asked if the 2006 Stream Management Master Plan could be mentioned in the report. Director Smith McDonald asked if Phase 2 would have an opportunity for the public's input. Melissa Diamant, Strategic Communications Director for the project stated that there will be an opportunity for individuals to submit comments or questions on the webpage and the Board will be able to see those comments and questions. Director Figuers asked if the FMP could be written in a way for the general public to understand as there are a lot of terms used that are not completely understandable. President Ramirez Holmes asked if what was presented is the final Plan or if it is Phase 1. Mr. Inamine replied this is a final draft of the FMP Phase 1. President Ramirez Holmes asked that it be clearer as the agenda says Adoption of a Flood Management Plan and the document says Flood Management Plan Final. She then asked how the public could review and provide comment on Phase 1. President Ramirez Holmes asked what the communication and outreach entailed for Phase 1 outside of Zone 7. Mr. Inamine replied that they reached out to the Cities of Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton, and the Alameda County Public Works Agency. President Ramirez Holmes suggested that the District Act and a history of the timeline of what has been happening since 1966 be added as an attachment. President Ramirez Holmes also suggested that changes in environmental regulations be part of the background section. Dawn Benson, a resident of Dublin, provided public comment. President Ramirez Holmes read letters from Ken Henneman and David Lunn. President Ramirez Holmes moved to continue the item to the August Board Meeting and Director Green seconded the motion. The motion was approved by a roll call vote of 7-0. Director Gambs had further comments and it was suggested by Rebecca Smith, General Counsel, that if any Directors have additional comments or feedback to provide them to staff in advance of the August meeting. Item 7 - Director Smith McDonald stated that it was her last Board meeting and she wanted to thank Valerie Pryor, Osborn Solitei, Donna Fabian and Rebecca Smith and all staff at Zone 7 who have been so helpful to her as a Board member. She also thanked her fellow Directors and wished incoming Director Dawn Benson the best of luck. Director Smith McDonald added that she is a huge proponent of women's leadership, and this agency is led by an incredible woman in Valerie Pryor and there are a lot of great female leaders who have served on the Board. She added that there are great examples of women in leadership positions everywhere in the Tri-Valley; City Managers, Mayors, female majorities on City Councils and school boards and she is really proud of that. Director Palmer gave a verbal report. Item 9 - Vice-President Palmer adjourned the meeting at 8:48 p.m. |