The city of Seal Beach is looking at how well the storm drain system worked during the recent storms.
Six people, including residents of the Old Town Bridgeport neighborhood and a resident of College Park East, expressed concerns about flooding in various parts of Seal Beach at the Monday, Jan. 25 City Council meeting. Everyone spoke during the public comment segment of the council meeting.
Dr. Robert Goldberg, a frequent speaker at council meetings, asked the council to investigate the West End Pump station. Goldberg held up a photograph of a flooded Corsair Avenue and called it “Lake Bridgeport.”
Goldberg asked if the 30 inch drainage pipes could be increased to 36 inches.
Chamber of Commerce President Seth Eaker also expressed concern that several Main Street businesses had experienced flooding. He pointed out that the Pacific Inn took 4 inches of water during the storms. He said the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Main was submerged.
College Park East resident Patti Campbell also spoke about the “river” of water that ran through her community during the storms.
During council comments, Councilman Gary Miller, who represents College Park East, said his community had also suffered flooding during the storm. Miller and Councilman Charles Antos thanked Public Works staff for their response to the storms. Councilman Gordon Shanks and Mayor David Sloan both said they were sorry about the flooding.
Some residents have continued to express their concerns about flooding since the council meeting.
Nick Harris of Candleberry Avenue commented in an e-mail to Councilman Miller that the poor drainage situation on Candleberry has not subsided.
Miller sent an e-mail to City Manager David Carmany about the Candleberry-Aster storm drains. “A number of residents feel the city got nothing for its money. Of course, I do not support that position and believe we need a good answer to those remarks,” Miller wrote.
Zeiki Kayiran, of AKM Consulting Engineers, discussed the Candleberry storm drain in an e-mail to Interim Director of Public Works Terry Belanger. “The Candleberry Storm Drain was designed to handle the peak flow from a 25-year storm, which is a storm that has a 4 percent probability of occurring every year.
However, for the system to provide complete 25 year protection to its entire tributary area, it has to be extended upstream as recommended in the Master Plan,” Kayira wrote.
In other business
• The council approved on second and final reading two parking enforcement ordinances, one for parking in Sunset Aquatic Marina Park and the other for displaying parking permits.
• The council amended the requirements for the director of Public Works. The position of director is currently being filled by Terry Belanger, who took the position following the retirement of Public Works Director Vince Mastrosimone.
Belanger served as Interim Director of Development Services following the retirement of Development Director Lee Whittenberg.
• The council authorized staff to solicit bids for the Old Town and College Park East street resurfacing programs.
