Sacramento Flood Control Agency Board of Directors Meeting - September 23, 2024
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Sacramento Flood Control Agency Board of Directors Meeting - September 23, 2024
Note: The transcript indicates the meeting date as September 19, 2024, but the provided metadata specifies September 23, 2024. This summary uses the provided date.
The Sacramento Flood Control Agency (SAFCA) Board of Directors convened with a 12-member quorum. The meeting included recognition of departing board member Cyril Shaw, a consent agenda with public comment on a controversial project, an executive director's report on construction progress and leadership changes, and a public hearing to authorize eminent domain for a levee improvement project.
Consent Calendar
- Resolution 2024080 – Revised chairmanship policy: Changed to allow the chair to serve more than one consecutive term, previously limited to one year without re-election. Director Kaplan noted the change improves continuity for a highly technical board. Approved unanimously.
- Resolution 2024075 – Mitigation credit reservation agreements on the Lower American River Common Features Project. Two public speakers requested removal from consent, citing concerns about transparency, environmental impacts, and pending federal review. Staff clarified the action only delegates authority for existing agreements and does not affect ongoing public engagement or environmental review. The board approved consent without opposition.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Nancy Neister (public comment off agenda): Expressed concern about flood risk claims and the need for hard armoring (Contract 3B) on the American River. Questioned the basis for the statement that Sacramento is the most flood‑risk city behind New Orleans, noting that Googling does not support it. Also questioned approving high‑rise residences at the river confluence and massive building in Natomas Basin. Requested a pause, more public engagement, and better alternatives.
- Pete Spaulding (on item 3): Representing American River Trees.org. Requested removal of Resolution 2024075 from consent, citing a new GAO report on the Corps' mitigation reporting, over 1,900 public comments on the supplemental EIR/EIS, and opposition from federal agencies and Sacramento County Regional Parks. Called for meaningful community engagement and alternative designs.
- Kathleen Mead (on item 3): Self‑identified as a forest ecologist and ecophysiologist. Noted that the project area includes Western Pond Turtle habitat (candidate for endangered listing) and that recreational uses (hiking, biking, painting) were not addressed. Stated that state laws protecting the environment were not addressed in the federal EIS, and that data and alternatives are missing. Urged delaying consent.
Discussion Items
- Recognition of Cyril Shaw (Resolution 2024074): Board members praised Shaw's 12 years of service on the SAFCA board, his fiscal acumen, and dedication. Shaw expressed gratitude, acknowledged staff and partners, and highlighted the importance of federal funding. The resolution was adopted unanimously.
- Executive Director’s Report: Provided construction updates: Folsom Dam right wing dam and dike raising using flood walls; Sacramento River levee work from barges (multiple contracts); Campus Commons golf course reconstruction near completion; Sacramento Weir widening progress video shown. Also announced the retirement of longtime D.C. consultant Mike Strong and introduced his replacements: Amy Larson (former National Waterways Conference president) and Ed Fleming (former New Orleans District colonel). The board expressed confidence in the new team.
- Public Hearing – Resolution of Necessity 2024084 (Eminent Domain): Staff presented details for acquiring a portion of APN 2740-016 (Garden Highway) owned by Riverview Homeowners Association for the Sacramento River East Levee Reach A project. The acquisition includes a fee interest (for levee rights and utility relocation) and an electrical/communications easement. Negotiations included discussions about impacted trees. No public speakers appeared. The board approved the resolution unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Approved Resolution 2024074 (Shaw recognition) – Unanimous.
- Approved Consent Calendar including Resolution 2024080 (chairmanship policy) and Resolution 2024075 (mitigation credit agreements) – Unanimous.
- Approved Resolution 2024084 (eminent domain for Garden Highway property) – Unanimous.
- No action taken on the public comments; the board allowed the consent agenda to proceed as presented.
- Next steps: Continued construction on Folsom Dam, Sacramento River, Campus Commons, and Sacramento Weir. Transition of federal lobbying team to Amy Larson and Ed Fleming.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon. Welcome to the September 19th, 2024 meeting of the Sacramento Flood Control Agency Board of Directors. Would the clerk please call the roll? Yes. Director Desmond. Here. Director Frost. Here, Director Sloan. Here. Chairman Kennedy. Here. Director Nava. Here. Director Jennings. Director Kaplan. Here. Thank you. Director Talamente. Thank you. Director Holloway. Director Johns. Director Lee Reiner. Director Baines. Yeah. And Director McKelly. Here. We do have a 12 member quorum. Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. This meeting of Safca is being broadcast live on Metro 14 Live.SatCounty.gov and will be recorded and re-aired on Metro Cable Channel 14 on Saturday September 21st at 1 p.m. And also available on Safica's website within 48 hours after the meet after the meeting. Members of the public who would like to address the board should fill out a speaker form and limit your comments to three minutes. Thank you. Thank you very much. Will you please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance? Pledge allegiance. All right. First item, Mr. Madam Clerk. Chairman Kennedy, we do have a public comment for items off the agenda. We do. Thank you very much. Nancy Neister. Thank you for hearing me. Today I'd like to talk about flood risk and what makes a community community vulnerable to flooding. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has used the phrase that Sacramento region or city are the most at risk behind New Orleans. Is there a more compelling reason for the citizenry to comply with approposals from the core? In this case, to install hard armoring to prevent possible erosion along the American River from how to Mehu drain, known as Contract 3B. We know we have been safer by the previous works of the Corps. Building and renovating the levees, building the Folsom Dam, having just added a lower spillway, and now raising the rim to contain more storage.
openpublica.com