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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 12191995 - SD2 SD.2 THE BOARD OR SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Adopted this Order on December 19, 1995, by the following vote: AYES: Supervisors Rogers, Smith, DeSaulnier, Torlakson, Bishop NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ SUBJECT: Report on Recent Storm Damage in the County Gary Brown, Director of the County Office of Emergency Services, and Michael Walford, Public Works Director, commented on the recent storm damage in Contra Costa County which resulted primarily from wind damage, trees down, power outages, and debris blocking culverts and drainage ditches. Supervisor Torlakson, referring to the closure of Highway 4 through Pittsburg for several hours, requested the Public Works Director to request Caltrans to take corrective action to avoid flooding in this area in the future. Jim Hicks, Co-Chair of the Labor Coalition, AFCME, 1000 Court Street, Martinez, advised of delays of 15 minutes to two hours incurred by employees coming to work through flooded infrastructures, being late for work, and being required to use their leave accruals for the time lost. He referred to some County offices without power from a few hours to a day, and two offices in West County without powers for two days. Mr. Hicks advised that he did not believe employees, sent home at the direction of management in this case, should be required to use their leave accruals. Mr. Hicks also spoke of the problem with backed-up sewers at two of the County Buildings in Richmond necessitating the rental of porta-potties in the parking lot. He commented on the lack of water for washing hands and the lack of security to employees using these porta-potties as a bathroom facility. He expressed a preference for either closing the County building with employees assigned to another County building where they could be accommodated and eliminate the rental expense of these portable facilities. The Chair requested the Social Service Director to review the concerns expressed by Mr. Hicks. Supervisor Rogers referred to calls received by his office from residents in West County on the adequacy of the responses of PG&E. He requested the County Administrator to schedule a brief discussion item for a January Board meeting to which a representative of PG&E is invited to respond to these concerns, what is being done to prevent power outages from lasting as long as in this situation, and an explanation of the effect of the utility company's budget cutbacks and staff reductions on its ability to respond to the public in a time of emergency. Supervisor Bishop advised of a conversation with a representative of PG&E in which it was observed that one of the causes of power outages is with power lines built over trees and that when trees come down in a storm they bring the power lines with them. She proposed that this be a consideration when planning a landscaping program. There being no further discussion, IT IS BY THE BOARD ORDERED that oral reports of Mr. Brown and Mr. Walford are ACCEPTED. I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Boar'nf Supervisors on the date shown. ATTESTED: �� -P�,- 8' J / `7I. PHIL BATCHELOR,Clerk of the Boara of Supervisors and County Administrator by _._-. V Deputy cc: County Administrator Human Resources Director Social Service Director Public Works Director Community Development Director