Title
a. Receive a presentation and accept the Santa Rita Creek drainage study through Bolsa Knolls; and
b. Provide direction to staff on potential next steps.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive a presentation and accept the Santa Rita Creek drainage study through Bolsa Knolls; and
b. Provide direction to staff on potential next steps.
SUMMARY
Bolsa Knolls is a community in the unincorporated area generally on both sides of San Juan Grade Road and north of Russell Road (Community). Although unincorporated, the Community is in the City of Salinas’s Sphere of Influence, and may be annexed into Salinas at some point in the future. The Community is made up of a number of subdivisions approved over the years (the first development apparently was constructed in the 1940s, but more intense development has occurred since around the mid-1960s). A natural watercourse, Santa Rita Creek (also known as Little Bear Creek) runs generally south through the area. The creek is fed from an upstream watershed consisting primarily of irrigated agricultural fields, and drains downstream of Bolsa Knolls into the incorporated area of the City of Salinas. The Community has had an extensive history of chronic flooding from the creek, in addition to sediment loads from the upstream private properties. Public Works, Facilities and Parks (PWFP) department staff maintain the roads (which are County-maintained roads), and the local County Service Area No. 9 (CSA No. 9) funds the street storm drain culverts.
As a result of the Board Referral 2024.04 and subsequent Board direction, staff engaged the consultant (Denise Duffy & Associates, with Balance Hydrologics) to prepare a Drainage Study (also known as Flood Study or Study), with recommendations for Board consideration. Staff recommends that the Board receive a presentation and accept the Study and provide direction to staff on potential next steps. Staff will undertake the necess...
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