Committee backs Laguna Flood Resilience study with direction to prioritize environmental sensitivity

Acting adaptation resilience program manager Timmy Bolton presented the Laguna Flood Resilience Study scope, timeline and budget to the Creeks Advisory Committee, describing the watershed as approximately 1,800 acres that spans downtown, the lower east side and the Riviera and is prone to recurring flooding.

"This project, the Laguna Flood Resiliency Study...is partially funded by a grant from the Coastal Conservancy as well as the city," Bolton said, noting the purpose is to produce a detailed watershed model (including 5‑ and 10‑year storms), evaluate alternatives (pipe and conveyance improvements, creek and estuary enhancements, tide‑gate/pump station options), and identify monitoring needs such as stream gauges and tailwater sensors. Bolton described the anticipated consultant contract as roughly a $1.0 million effort with a 10% contingency (about $1.1 million encumbered) and said staff requested the creeks division contribute about 25% from Measure B reserves to cover water‑quality and habitat tasks.

Committee members probed how the study would account for El Niño and more concentrated storm events under climate change; Bolton said monitoring and recent sediment removals will help calibrate models and that the exercise will explicitly include changes in rainfall intensity. Several committee members — including those who identified professional experience in fluvial geomorphology — warned against automatically equating 'improve conveyance' with engineered channelization and asked that nature‑based, multi‑benefit options be prioritized.

A member moved to allocate Measure B reserves to the study "with the addition of reframing the study goals to emphasize environmental sensitivity and stewardship of the Laguna estuary and creek." The motion language was read into the record; the transcript shows discussion and a roll-call was called, but the transcript does not include a completed vote tally for this motion. Staff said the contract is expected to go to City Council for consideration on Sept. 29, with a draft report targeted for spring 2028 and final work by the end of 2028.