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San Marcos council approves updated drainage master plan; public urges coordination on sidewalks, power lines
Summary
The City Council on Feb. 25 approved an updated drainage master plan (Item 5). A public commenter urged the city to coordinate storm-drain replacement with sidewalk additions and to pursue cost-sharing with SDG&E to underground overhead power lines where feasible.
San Marcos City Council on Feb. 25 approved an updated drainage master plan, the first step the city says will guide future repair and replacement of aging storm-drain infrastructure.
The plan was approved as Item 5 on the consent calendar after a public comment urging the city to seek efficiencies when replacing drainage infrastructure. Chris Freeman, a resident who spoke during public comment, asked the council to coordinate storm-drain projects with sidewalk work and to explore cost-sharing with San Diego Gas & Electric to underground overhead power lines when streets are already being excavated for drainage work. "If we're going to block lanes of traffic and dig up the road, if we can create efficiencies with sidewalk enhancements ... that would be great," Freeman said.
Why it matters: The master plan is the policy and technical roadmap that will guide decisions about when and where to repair or replace storm infrastructure. Coordinating those projects with sidewalk work or utility undergrounding could reduce repeated street disruptions for residents but may raise immediate project costs.
Council members discussed limits to what the city can require from the utility. Mayor Rebecca Jones noted that SDG&E does not typically pay to underground lines and that those costs are often borne by ratepayers countywide. "Those are paid for by SDG&E. The city does not pay to underground those. And then what ends up happening is that cost is borne by the community," Jones said. Council member Musgrove confirmed the utility's position, noting that undergrounding can run into the millions because it can require vaults, road excavation and easement work.
Formal action: Mayor Rebecca Jones moved to approve Item 5; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously. Councilors present voted in favor with no recorded no votes or abstentions.
Council and staff did not commit to a funding source for coordinated undergrounding or sidewalk work during the meeting; speakers described the updated master plan as an initial step toward design and replacement. Freeman described the master plan as "just the very first step" in a broader replacement program and asked staff to look for opportunities that limit repeated impacts on residents.
