HomeMy WebLinkAbout15 - Tsunami Warning SystemCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item No. 15
July 14, 2009
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Public Works Department
Robert Stein, Assistant City Engineer
949 - 644 -3322 or rstein @city.newport- beach.ca.us
SUBJECT: TSUNAMI WARNING SYSTEM — APPROVE DRAWINGS AND
SPECIFICATIONS AND AUTHORIZE PERMISSION TO ADVERTISE,
CONTRACT NO. 4152
Recommendations:
1. Approve the drawings and specifications.
2. Authorize Staff to advertise project once the Coastal Development Permit is
issued.
Discussion:
In June, 2005, a tsunami warning was issued for Orange County. While tsunami in
Southern California are very rare events, the 2005 tsunami warning highlighted a
potential hazard for coast and low lying areas around Newport Harbor. In 2007, City
Council asked the Fire Department to research a siren warning system that could be
used to warn the community and visitors of an on- coming tsunami. On April 10, 2007,
the Fire Department gave a presentation to the City Council on estimated costs for a
siren system. On May 22, 2008, a live siren demonstration was conducted at Balboa
Pier and on June 10, 2008, Council approved American Signal as the siren vendor. All
residents in the affected areas around the harbor were invited to a public meeting on
June 15, 2009, at City Hall to discuss the project and the proposed siren locations. A
notice of the meeting was mailed to over 10,800 addresses and the City's website at
www. city. newport-beach. ca.us /publicworks was referenced for those that wished more
information. The meeting was very lightly attended but did provide a couple of useful
suggestions.
Public Works has now prepared construction drawings and specifications for the
installation of the three warning sirens. These are available for review at the Public
Works Counter at City Hall. Sirens are proposed at the following three locations: one
near the end of Channel Road at the end of the peninsula, another near the American
Legion Hall (15th Street), and a third near Seashore Drive /59`h Street at West Newport
Tsunami Warning System — Contract No. 4152
July 14, 2009
Page 3
Park. These locations are shown in the attached exhibit. Each siren will be mounted on
top of a 50 -foot pole. All auxiliary equipment will be contained in a cabinet near the
bottom of the pole. While poles must be located to provide access to service trucks,
poles will be located near existing trees and shrubs to provide some camouflaging. The
sirens will be tested monthly at noon on the first Friday of every month (as does
Huntington Beach). These tests will be for short duration (about a minute) and at a
maximum volume of 80 decibels at the pole. In the event of a tsunami, the Watch
Commander at Police Headquarters on Santa Barbara Drive will initiate public safety or
evacuation procedures and authorize activation of the siren system via a radio - control
transmitter.
The project is consistent with General Plan Safety Element Policies S1 and S9 and with
Coastal Land Use Plan policy 2.8.2:
• The project is taking place within the City's limits (Paragraph 3).
• The project site has no value as habitat for endangered, rare or threatened
species (Paragraph 4).
• Project's approval would not result in any significant effects relating to traffic,
noise, and air and water quality (Paragraph 5).
• The project is adequately serviced by all required utilities and public services
(Paragraph 7).
With Council approval of this project, staff will immediately submit an application to the
California Coastal Commission for a Coastal Development Permit (CDP) with a request
for de minimus waiver approval. Depending on the date of the CDP approval, the
project would be advertised in October or November, 2009. Construction would start
early next year.
Environmental Review:
This project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant
to Section 15303 New Construction of Small Structures), Section 15304 (Minor
Alterations to Land), and 15332 (In -Fill Development Projects) of the CEQA
Implementing Guidelines.
Public Notice:
This project has previously been discussed three times at Council Study Session and
was the subject at a special public meeting held on June 15, 2009.
Construction Cost
The engineers estimate for the construction is $270,000.
Tsunami Warning System — Contract No. 4152
July 14, 2009
Page 3
Funding Availability:
Funds in the amount of $195,890 have been re- budgeted into the FY 09/10 Capital
Improvement Program. The anticipated project cost would require additional funds of
approximately $75,000. If needed, staff will request additional funds at the time of award.
Account Description
Automation /Communication Fund
Prepared by:
Robert G. ein
Assistant City Engineer
Attachment: Siren Location Map
Account Number
7017- C8002026
Total:
Amount
195,890.00
$ 195,980.00
Submitted by:
44 s-
Steen G. Badum
Public Works Director