PUBLIC COMMENT – AGENDA ITEM B.3 – JANUARY 2023 STORM UPDATE
Mayor, Mayor Pro Tempore and Councilmembers,
I wanted to raise concerns about the recent January 2023 Storm Events and their impacts to local Goleta businesses. These businesses go unseen by most people as they are not in highly visible locations. The City recently released a list of potential areas targeted for FEMA funding for improvements. I wa nted to draw attention to the area of S. Kellogg Avenue and School Bus L ane (photo attached on page 2). There is a drain at the bend of Kellogg Avenue aft er the intersection of Thornwood Drive. When that drain is not properly operating, all runoff from the area continues to the end of S. Kellogg Avenue. All persons and businesses in the area are affected by the lack of drainage. The storm water system is non-existent in this area. I would urge the City to prioritize this issue and commit resources and funding to alleviate flooding in this area.
As a business own er in th is area I have experienced recurring property damage from flood waters. I am expected to bear the financial burden of remedying the damage caused by the failure of the City to rectify the problem . Attached are pictures from the recent storm events that reflect my own experience with damage to my business . The recent storm events caused me to have an injury at my business leading to a broken leg. Additionally, a neighboring business ow ner coincidently also sustained a major injury as a r esult of the recent storm event flooding in this location.
The Goleta City Council recently approved over 5 million dollars in funding on February 21st for improvements to the Ekwill/Fowler Road Extension that may impact South Kellogg A venue. Additionally, a press release was recently generated announcing 11.4 million dollars was received from the CA Transportation Commission for the same project. It appears that Council has made a commitment to this project as a high priority “transportation project”. The press release emphasizes the positive impacts of new streets, sidewalks, bike lanes and landscaped parkways, however there is NO mention of proper storm drainage. If the City is to protect this new investment, then it needs to closely examine the storm water system for this area . The existing stormwa ter system needs addressing and a stormwater plan needs to be put in place since this is an area of town that floods regularly. I would request that the area of my concern be add ed to the FEMA list and that Council take action to protect local businesses from future flooding from improper storm water drainage.
Santiago, Local Business Owner 805-403-1698
Area of Concern in Red
2023 STORM EVENT – INTERIOR OF BUSINESS
PHOTOS OF LACK OF DRAINAGE
PHOTO OF PAST FLOODING OCCURRENCE 2017