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Board approves emergency Santa Rosa Creek bank repairs to protect sewer trunk line
Summary
After reviewing storm damage that eroded 10–15 feet of bank, the board authorized staff to proceed with RFP and consultant engagement to repair and reinforce 150–350 feet of bank to protect a sewer trunk line carrying roughly 160,000 gallons/day.
The board unanimously approved staff recommendations on Feb. 12 to begin design and permitting work for an emergency Santa Rosa Creek streambank repair and enhancement project after staff described severe erosion from the March 2023 storms.
Utilities Manager Green told the board that the flood removed 10–15 feet of streambank next to the Santa Rosa Creek Trail and a sewer trunk line known as Trunk Line B. "As it applies to Trunk Line B, it carries an average dry‑weather flow of about 160,000 gallons of sewage a day," Green said, explaining why staff judge the risk to the trunk line and trail "a high priority." He recommended immediate work to stabilize the bank and a longer segment of reinforcement to prevent recurrence.
Staff identified Stairwell Consulting (and technical lead Astero/Bill Henry) to assist with environmental review, design and permitting; Stairwell’s estimated fee for the next phase was listed in staff materials as approximately $606,800. Green and staff emphasized that the construction itself is not the primary hurdle—permitting across multiple agencies (state, regional and federal resource agencies and the Coastal Conservancy) is likely to be the critical path and could extend timelines by a year or more.
Public commenters and board members supported swift action; several pointed to the trail’s popularity and hazard if the trenching continues to encroach near the lift station and wooden trail fencing. Director Scott moved and Director Gray seconded the staff‑recommended action; the motion carried on a recorded roll call.
Next steps: staff will release the RFP for design/permitting, pursue funding opportunities including potential Coastal Conservancy support, and coordinate stakeholder outreach and permitting strategy. Construction and final cost estimates will be returned to the board for approval once permitting and design progress.
