Rio Linda News December 18, 2003 Water rate increase improved

Published in Rio Linda Elverta News December 18, 2003 - Scroll for other articles

Hayer Dam Proposal Update

by Mick Klasson, Environmental Planner

The Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA) and Sacramento County Department of Regional Parks, Recreation, and Open Space (County Parks) presented the Hayer Dam project to the Rio Linda/Elverta Community Planning Advisory Council (CPAC) on Tuesday December 9.

The existing bridge abutments are now planned to remain, based on suggestions made at the Citizen Advisory Committee meeting December 3. Saving the abutments will avoid demolition costs and preserve the memory of the original structure and its history. New piers will be installed behind the existing abutments to help support the weight of a new bridge deck and meet engineering standards and building codes.

The project engineering team evaluated the cost of saving the entire structure, but found that it would require removing the deck, taking it to a shop for fitting of railings and other upgrades, and returning and reinstalling it at the site. The project engineers determined that reusing the deck would yield little cost savings while carrying some risk that could be avoided with a new bridge meeting standard specifications. SAFCA and County Parks expect to obtain cost savings compared to the earlier design concept by using a pre-designed and prefabricated structure.

The Dry Creek project now includes removal of debris levees along approximately one half mile of the south branch of Dry Creek upstream from Rio Linda Boulevard. The debris berms kept the creek from spilling onto the floodplain in small floods, but did not work during larger floods occurring once every ten years or more. Removing them will benefit environmental restoration of the floodplain and reduce bank erosion in the vicinity.

Funding for the debris removal component comes in part from the same State Department of Water Resources (DWR) grant funding a portion of the dam renovation. Combining the projects will avoid duplication of environmental permitting costs for the related projects.

A member of the audience expressed concern at the December 3 CAC meeting that the pool above the dam would not be retained with the current project. Erwin Hayer, who operated the dam for years and is now consulting to the project engineers, later elaborated that SAFCA and County Parks were seeking a design that does not require high maintenance or operation of a variable-height pool. "I wouldn't wish it on anyone to have to operate that dam," Hayer said. "it was a high risk problem."

A constant height weir or dam could create a pool but would inevitably fill with sediment, possibly in the first winter. The current proposal would create a low-flow channel in the center of the stream that would always hold at least a foot of water, in addition to keeping water in the shallows, similar to conditions during summer of 2003.

The project engineers are now working on the 35% design calculations and drawings. These will be presented at the next Citizen Advisory Committee meeting, planned for Thursday February 5. All are welcome. To have your name added to the mailing list for the meeting notice or for any other questions, contact Mick Klasson of SAFCA at (530) 758-0839 or klassonm@sbcglobal.net.

Diary of an Honorary Mayor

by Norma-Lee

It all started about a year ago when I received a phone call late one Thursday night. The call was from Honorary Mayor, Bobby Joe Forehand, telling me that I should be the next Honorary Mayor of Rio Linda/Elverta. Well, I didn't think I had a chance but he and the Elkhorn Moose Lodge backed me up and before I knew it, I was deep in the midst of my campaign. The competition lasted about two months and was a lot of fun. We had dinners, dances, raffles (even a car!), and a poker tournament. When all the votes were counted, I had indeed become the next Honorary Mayor of Rio Linda/Elverta!

My first duty was to ride in the annual Little League Parade, which I did, in great style in a horsedrawn carriage provided and driven by Jeannie and Patti Mello. I was accompanied by the outgoing Mayor and his wife Claudia, and by my husband, Rocky. The following week, we all attended the Mayor's Dinner held at the American Legion on 8th Street where I was presented with a lovely plaque and a medallion bearing my name and office.

The next event I planned on attending was the annual Creek Cleanup. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate and rain prevented me from being there. Right after that, I got a call to attend the annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Legion but once again, fate was against me as the call was placed to my office and I didn't get the message until a day after the event. However, things got better.

I had promised my voters that I would attend the Chamber of Commerce meetings and I have kept my promise in that regard. I not only attend every evening meeting, I joined the Chamber and volunteer on committees when possible. I have learned so much about the community I chose to join 16 years ago!

I was invited to attend the `Farm Days' which I did and was treated to a guided tour by the Historical Society of the old home under renovation. Having grown up in a home very similar to that one, it brought back some nostalgic memories for me.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony for "Touch N Time Day Spa' was a well attended and enjoyable event where I met even more members of my community and a politician or two! I also attended the ribbon-cutting for the Marshall Building on M Street where I was able to interview some of Rio Linda's enterprising women who are providing jobs right here.

By far the most challenging but enjoyable event for me so far has been the day I spent as Principal at Orchard School on Q Street. Not having children of my own, I wasn't sure what to expect but what I got was overwhelming enthusiasm in classrooms where we discussed poetry and all the great things Rio Linda/Elverta has to offer for entertainment. I then assisted Principal Delgado in the lunchroom where I was inundated with requests for my autograph. One young man in a wheelchair made my day when he had his caregiver stop feeding him so that he could tell her he thought I was pretty.

For my next assignment, I will be accompanying a Sacramento County Sheriff during one of his/her regular shifts. I know that is going to be very exciting and if possible, I will write up a play-by-play description of my 'ride along'.