December 17, 2024
City Council
DATE: December 17, 2024
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Council Member Cesar Zepeda
Subject:
Development of Parchester Area Infrastructure Plan and
Interim Drainage Measures
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The estimated cost to develop the Parchester Area Infrastructure Plan is $400,000. Funding for this plan will need to be identified and approved by the City Council as part of the upcoming budget cycle. Given the limitations of the Storm Drainage Enterprise Fund, it is anticipated that funding will need to come from the General Fund , grant opportunities, or requested in Spring 2025 through Public Works CIP funding process to offset the cost.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The Parchester Village neighborhood faces significant
storm drainage challenges, exacerbated by aging
infrastructure, unique design constraints, and
environmental factors such as King Tides. During heavy
rain events, flooding in the area creates hazardous
conditions for residents and impacts accessibility,
particularly along critical routes like Collins Avenue.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
DIRECT City staff to collaborate with Veolia to implement short-term measures addressing drainage challenges in
Parchester Village during the upcoming rainy season and DIRECT City staff to prepare the scope, timeline, and cost estimate for a comprehensive Parchester Area
Infrastructure Plan to identify long -term solutions and present planning details and a timeline to the Water
AGENDA
REPORT
December 17, 2024
Recovery Ad Hoc Committee in Q1 of 2025 and return to
the City Council during the spring 2025 budget cycle for consideration as part of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Council Member Cesar Zepeda (510-620-6593).
DISCUSSION:
The Parchester Village neighborhood is an older community with significant infrastructure challenges due to its age, location, and unusual original designs. The storm drainage system in this area has long been a source of concern, particularly during heavy rain events when it struggles to function effectively.
Portions of the system, including above-ground pipes, highlight potential challenges with achieving gravity -based drainage. Additionally, environmental factors, such as King Tides, further complicate the system’s performance, as it drains directly into the bay.
These issues have serious implications for the safety and accessibility of the neighborhood. Flooding, especially along Collins Avenue —Parchester’s main ingress and egress —poses risks to reside nts and emergency responders. This is further exacerbated by the frequent blockages caused by passing trains, creating a combination of safety concerns that must be addressed.
In the short term, staff should collaborate with Veolia to implement interim mea sures to manage drainage during the upcoming rainy season. Proactive monitoring, emergency drainage interventions, or temporary modifications may help mitigate the impacts of severe weather while a long-term solution is developed.
Long-term solutions, the City should develop a Parchester Area Infrastructure Plan to assess the storm drainage system and other infrastructure needs comprehensively. This plan should include:
A detailed evaluation of existing conditions , identifying the underlying causes of the drainage challenges and other infrastructure deficiencies. Recommendations for long -term solutions, including the potential integration of storm drainage improvements with other upgrades, such as curb, gutter, sidewalk, and roadway enhancements.
Phased impl ementation strategies to address both immediate and long -term priorities for the community.
December 17, 2024
This plan should eventually be put out to bid through a Request for Proposals (RFP) to engage a qualified consultant. Staff should develop the scope of the study, e stimate the timeline for its preparation, and determine the associated costs. These details should be presented to the Water Recovery Ad Hoc Committee in Q1 of 2025 and to City Council for consideration in spring 2025, as part of the broader discussion of Capital Improvement Program (CIP) priorities during the budget process.
Given the limitations of the City’s Storm Drainage Enterprise Fund, it is clear that substantial improvements in this area will require General Fund support or alternative funding sources. Staff should also explore grant opportunities to offset costs, though it is acknowledged that obtaining drainage-related funding can be particularly challenging.
In the short term, staff should collaborate with Veolia to implement interim measures to manage drainage during the upcoming rainy season. Proactive monitoring, emergency drainage interventions, or temporary modifications may help mitigate the impacts of severe weather while a long-term solution is developed.
A Parchester Area Infrastructure Plan represents a crucial opportunity to address the neighborhood’s pressing needs in a systematic, data -driven way and to ensure that residents have safe, reliable infrastructure for years to come.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
None