HomeMy WebLinkAboutSS2 - Balboa Island Seawall - Public CommentsJuly 14, 2015
Item No. SS2
Public Comments
Craig and Nancy Smith
316 Island Ave.
Newport Beach, CA. 92661
kf6g oe(W�roadrunner.com
(949) 675-9316
July 14, 2015
To: Newport Beach City Council
Re.: Request completion of seawall gap as a high priority
There is a gap in the sea wall on the bay along Edgewater between Island Avenue and
Lindo Street. The City had previously completed the sea wall at the end of Lindo Street
and at the end of Island Ave, making the bay front sea wall contiguous along the
Peninsula from this point east to the ferry crossing and beyond, except for this
approximately 140 ft. gap in front of numbers 501, 503, 505, and 507 Edgewater.
Inexplicably, this section was never completed.
Whenever there is a high tide coupled with a storm surge, sea water floods over this
breach and onto Lindo Street, Island Avenue and Edgewater Street. (See Figures 1 and
2). Residents have reported damage to vehicles and structures.
We made comparative measurements of sea wall heights on the Peninsula near Island
Avenue, on Balboa Island at several locations, on Bay Island, and at the breach on
Edgewater. The lowest point in the sea walls, based on these measurements, is the
Edgewater breach. (Figure 3).
Since this is a minor project that can be corrected within the City's maintenance budget,
we respectfully request that it be given priority for repair. The 2015 high -high tide
forecast is for Thanksgiving, November 26"'. At that time the sea level will be within 5
inches of overflowing the Edgewater Breach, assuming calm seas. Under storm
conditions it will overflow, as has happened in the past.
Flooding is only going to get worse with time. By correcting the problem early, the City
can avoid further damage and the potential of legal action by affected parties.
Thank you for considering our request.
Very truly yours,
Craig anrancy Smith
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Good Afternoon Council. Thanks for what you do and thanks for this session today. I
have come with a proposal and I will leave a copy of it for the record,
My group CCL is asking the Council to do a community -wide ongoing discussion of
climate change. It is that important an issue. 97% of climate scientists are convinced, based on
the evidence that human -caused global warming is happening and the results are widely
understood to be of real concern. What can and should the City of Newport Beach do about
this global issue? This discussion of higher sea walls and rising tides is an opportune time to
begin a thorough accounting. Mitigation and adaptation to a changing climate are issues every
city should examine.
We are asking the City to air this issue and expose citizens to the science and solution
options through outreach events like neighborhood meetings at firehouses, parks, city hall, or
community centers. The city might want to begin by inviting educators from local colleges and
universities who specialize in climate science like Michael Prather and Steven J. Davis at UCI,
Hesham EI-askary at Chapman or Jere Lipps at CSU F. Professors of psychology and economics
would be appropriate speakers also.
The City Council could chose to put these events on and issue invitations. That would be
best, but it may give the impression that the City is endorsing more than just a public
forum. Citizens Climate Lobby, CCL, is a group well versed in the issue and interested
in contributing to the discussion. 14 Orange County residents, all members of CCL, just returned
from a Congressional Lobbying trip and are well versed on what is happening on both sides of
the aile. CCL would be more than happy to meet with the Council and discuss options.
There are other ways we could go. CCL could take the lead with the City as a co-sponsor
or maybe the City could simply make the venues available for the initial round and publicize
them. That's our suggestion, respectfully summited. Thank You
Mark Tabbert 949-310-5256 www.CitizensClimateLobby.org
20172 Spruce Ave. Newport Beach, CA 92660-0737
mtabbert15@gmail.com
"If you want to join the fight to save the planet, to save creation for your grandchildren, there is no more
effective step you could take than becoming an active member of this group." Dr. James Hansen
"I love working with CCL --their relentless focus on the need for a fee -and -dividend solution is helping drive
the debate in precisely the right direction. I'm enormously grateful for their persistence and creativity!" Bill
McKibben, founder _350.org
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