Dear Council Members and Staff,
From reading the report on the Community Cultural Center, it seems clear that the most viable path forward is to make improvements to the Center and to also have the temporary flood barrier at the ready for the occasional yet likely occurrence of a flood.
I fully understand that Public Works would not be able to erect the barrier as they would be dealing with sewage issues.
As an alternative, why not cross train and engage with local volunteer fire fighters and other community first responders? Volunteer firefighters have weekly meetings and exercises. Could they train on this temporary flood barrier? Are there other first responders that could be trained?
How many people does it take to set up the barrier – 15 or 20? If so, train 40 people. Have them do a yearly exercise.
Could this be something that Gold Ridge and Graton Fire Departments take on? It seems like a huge waste of money to repair the building and to keep investing in it if we do not have a plan to protect it from flooding.
City Council and Staff should figure out a way to have a group, either volunteer firefighters or Red Cross or a paid group, erect the barrier in case of a flood. Floods happen every 5-10 years, which means that even if you had to hire an outside group, the cost would be one time and would save a valuable community asset.
Thank you,
Kate Haug