Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

Yeah.

Okay.

Good evening, and welcome to the April 28 planning commission meeting. I'm gonna call a meeting to order. Janet, can you do a roll call attendance, please?

Thank you, chair Wilson. Chair Wilson?

Present.

Vice chair Hebe?

Here.

Commissioners Lake?

Here.

Moeller?

Here.

Lovato?

Here.

Downey?

Here.

And Adama?

Here. Excuse me. Forgot to announce that vice chair Habib will be remote. Good evening. Jenna, can you declare the posting of the agenda, please?

Tonight's meeting agenda is duly notes and posted in the government code section five four nine five four point two.

Thank you. Steve, now that you're official, can you lead us in

the pledge of allegiance? I'll accept that.

Again, I pray to the.

Thank you, Steve. Sorry. Comment. Members of the public are entitled to address the planning commission concerning any item within the Morgan Hill Planning Commission's matter jurisdiction. Public comments are limited to no more than three minutes. Except in certain exceptions, the commission is prohibited from discussing or taking action on any agenda item not appearing on the posted agenda. Orders of the day. Any changes? Any revisions? Thank

you.

First item, minute approval, the March.

Motion to approve. Second.

I have a a comment for this one. So it did mention that I had joined the meeting at 07:11. I do want to mention that I was on the meeting, but on a public link for that date, and we are figuring out the the panelist link that I was able to then join at 07:11.

So you're saying you were at 07:11?

I I wish. I wish it was. Okay. I'm talking about the time at this time here.

Okay.

We can make that change.

We can update it to say he was present the entire meeting.

Okay. Yeah. As long as he was on there,

we have to change that for that. We'll just do it.

It's fine. Okay. Should we do a roll call?

Chair Wilson?

Aye.

Commissioners Heppi?

Aye.

Lake?

Aye.

Muller?

Aye.

Lovato?

Aye.

Downey?

Aye.

And Nadeau?

Aye.

Motion passes unanimously.

So, Jenna, I know it says none on public hearings, but do we have any speaker cards or anybody online that wants to comment or bring up any items?

I don't have any speaker cards for open public comments. What?

Thank you. So for for speakers, it would just be anything that was during public comment. We didn't have any speaker cards during public comment or anyone, notifying that they want to speak. On the the only other item that we have on agenda is a workshop item for the safety services and infrastructure element update, and we will take public comment on that item once we get to it after we do the presentation and any initial feedback from the planning commission.

Okay. And I know we have a group of enthusiastic young students that are ready to go. Where do you want them to Yes.

So I'll I'll have them throw in at the Deus. One by one at the Deus up there. Okay. So I'm just gonna pull up the presentation. Sorry.

I forgot to push a button on there. Thank you. So while Sergio is fixing that for me, so the item before you tonight is the safety services and infrastructure deployment update. We are only focusing on one portion of this. It's the climate change vulnerability assessment. And so, again, this is a workshop item.

Can go up there.

And so this is just a a workshop item, so it's gonna be different than a public hearing. What we are gonna do first is we're gonna have a presentation. We're gonna have our Morgan Hill Unified School District interns who assisted on this project, give a presentation. We're gonna go through that entire presentation first, and then we'll address any public comments and questions from your the commission as well as from the public. Okay.

And so I would like to introduce, the climate action of or climate action or yes. Sorry. Climate action pathways for schools, CAPS for short, and we'll use those same CAPS. So in preparation of this element update, there are two laws. I won't go into detail, but there two laws that require us to address climate change within the safety element.

And so the city of Morgan Hill has partnered with CAPS, the climate action pathways for schools, to secure a $300,000 grant over the course of three years from the James Carey Smith community grant program to recruit, hire, and train Morgan Hill Unified School District students to lead sustainability projects within Morgan Hill. And one of those projects is under this grant consisting of the CAPS interns conducting a climate change vulnerability assessment and developing a set of goals, policies, and actions, for climate adaptation resilience to be included in our safety element. If you recall, last semester, the the students worked on the healthy neighborhoods for all element as well as our open space element for implementation on those set of goals, policies, actions. And so I would like to turn it over to Mariana at CAPS to introduce the program and the students.

Hello. Thank you, Adam. I'm Mariana. I'm the program coordinator with Climate Action Pathways for Schools. Thank you for allowing us to join you today. And I work with the insurance. I'm their supervisor. But just to give you a little overview about CAPS, we join our school districts to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, but with Morgan Hill, we also do that with the city of Morgan Hill. And it's been amazing to work with three different projects this school year and with 20 amazing interns that have joined, this effort. Again, thank you so much for allowing us to join you tonight, and thank you, the interns, and Adam, for all the support that he's also provided to us this year. And I'm gonna hand it over to Quincy who's gonna tell you more about their experience.

Thank you.

Hello, everyone. My name is Quincy, and I am a junior at Anne Serrato High School, and I am a CAPS intern. And today, I'm gonna be talking to you about CAPS' partnership with the city of Morgan Hill on the safety element objective. So CAPS' partnership with the city has lasted since August, the present day. And since then, there have been three projects ran in conjunction with the city. Last semester, we ran the healthy neighborhoods for all and the open space element objectives. And this semester, we've been working on the safety element objective. I was personally part of the open space element objective, and it was really cool to work with Adam, to work on that. And in all, 14 students have participated across these three projects since its inception.

So once again, we talked about the safety element. We use the safety element term throughout this. The state refers to, this as, the safety element within the state laws, that pertain to general plan updates. They refer to safety element. But within Morgan Hill, we call our safety element the safety services and infrastructure element. And so this is an update to that, but only in particular for the climate change adaptation and resilience program.

Okay.

We at the end of this presentation, I'll give a little bit more update on next steps and where we go from here.

Alright.

So Adam touched on these laws pretty briefly, but I wanted to dive a little deeper into the two laws that required these changes to the safety element. So first was senate bill three seventy nine that required every city and county in the state to update their safety element and to conduct a climate change vulnerability assessment in order to create concrete goals, policies, and actions that directly address climate adaptation concerns, in various cities. And building on that, assembly bill twenty six eighty four, required the safety element to address extreme heat concerns, which is one of the fastest growing climate threats across California and affects our very community. And in particular, this part looks into how rising temperatures pose threats to residents, outdoor workers, and other vulnerable populations. And together, these two laws set a precedent, that local governments need to understand the climate impacts that, the climate risks that affect their city and directly act on them.

So this is a brief overview of what us cap in CAPS interns have been working on this semester. So we we focused on assisting Adam, and implement by assisting, designing, and implementing strategies and conducting a climate change vulnerability assessment to address climate adaptation resilience concerns in Morgan Hill. And since December, we've completed five main phases of work. First, we did background research on other similarly sized cities to Morgan Hill across California that had made these changes to their safety element. Next, we assisted Adam with the, conduction of our climate change vulnerability assessment.

Next, we identified the four main climate risks that affect Morgan Hill, which we found to be drought, extreme heat, flooding, and wildfires. Next, we started the development of our goals, policies, actions, and recommendations based on the findings of our assessment. And finally, we drafted a report summarizing our findings, which hopefully you all have seen. And before before diving straight into our findings, I wanted to explain what that climate change vulnerability assessment that I've been talking about is and how we use it here in the city. So a vulnerability assessment identifies what communities face the greatest challenges from climate impacts, and it combines two main lenses.

First is the climate hazard exposure lens, which were those four main factors that I talked about previously. And second are social vulnerability factors, such as income, age, housing, and access to transportation that could potentially inhibit a specific community from being able to prepare and recover from climate related risks. And where those two things overlap the most is where we know where risk is the highest, and that's what we wanted to map. So in order to conduct this assessment, we made use of California's vulnerable communities platform, which was a state developed interactive tool that overlaid climate hazard data and census data onto a map of California down to the census block group level. And for Morgan Hill, this allowed us to identify specific neighborhoods that both face climate hazard exposure and had high social vulnerability risks.

And this is what allowed us to see exactly where climate resilience is needed most across the city. So census block groups were chosen as the primary unit for this, vulnerability assessment because they provided the most detailed and publicly available demographic and socioeconomic data while still maintaining statistical reliability. And census block groups typically contain between 603,000 residents, allowing us to see neighborhood by neighborhood differences and patterns. And the map on this slide shows the census block groups in the city of Morgan Hill, and this will be used to depict the distribution of climate hazards and social vulnerabilities throughout the rest of the presentation. So if you can see on the bottom left of the screen, that little box chart shows the gradients of both the climate hazard and social vulnerability factors.

And the darker that those colors are, the higher levels of exposure or vulnerability that those areas face, while lighter lighter shades are corresponded to lower levels. And as we can see on the map, this this map looks at drought currently. We can see that that western part of the city really faces a lot of challenges. But when conducting a vulnerability assessment, it's important not only to look at impacts now, but also in the future so that we can be best prepared. And we can see that by 2050, drought risk intensifies across the entire city with that West Side remaining at very high risk.

And another finding that we had were that neighborhoods with high social vulnerability levels, particularly among low income renters and households, are facing disproportionate impacts. With that being said, I'm gonna pass it out to Esha, who will talk about the rest of the drought part.

Yeah. Just just Good luck. Thank you.

Hi. My name is Isha Tour, and I am a CAPS intern as well as a junior at Antebrado High School. And today, I will be be presenting an overview of, the hazard drought as well as some goals, policies, and actions that my team and I have came up with. So, just for some context, as climate change continues to intensify, droughts are occurring for longer lasting periods and more often. As a big hiker as well as a Morgan Hill resident myself, I noticed this in the landscape where green patches turn turn dry as well as the air quality when there's lack of rain during drought seasons, is worse than usual.

So in order to address these risks, we came up with a few ways that Morgan Hill can implement can implement various strategies to help mitigate the impacts of drought on specifically social vulnerable communities. Therefore, our first goal is to strengthen community resilience and adaptive capacity to minimize the impacts of climate driven drought on Morgan Hills residents, ecosystems, and essential services. So, with policy 1.1, we're focusing on drought, education. So with both actions one point a and one point b, we wanna partner with Santa Clara Valley Water to promote multilingual water conservation education. So this could be both digital and, in person events.

Next, we have action one point c, which is more specific into draw information sessions. So this is in person events that are that are accessible by being multilingual, and they event they discuss current water conditions, restrictions, and community concerns that people might have. Next is policy 1.3, which is equitable access to drought resilient resources. So with action one d and action one e, we wanna ensure that all parts of the city, especially those that may be in more vulnerable and opportunity neighborhoods, get the access to that they need to drought related events or workshops or any other educational activities. So with this, we move on to goal two, which is to ensure long term water security by reducing drought vulnerability in Morgan Hill's most at risk communities and improving equitable access to reliable, climate resilient water resources.

So with goal two, we're looking more into physical things that we can implement to help with water conservation efforts. So with that, policy 2.1 is still focusing on water efficiency education. But with action two point a and two point b, we're, looking more into focusing on water conservation efforts and teaching people how they can do those, like, in their home. So with action two point b, we wanna continue to partner with and promote the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul program at Saint Catherine to provide emergency assistance utility bill relief for those in more social vulnerable neighborhoods. Now policy 2.2, equitable drought assistance.

So with action two point c, this is focusing on infrastructure. So we wanna prioritize investments in, social vulnerable neighborhoods with things such as leak detection, replacement, and water system to ensure that our water infrastructure is up to date in those neighborhoods and people are getting the proper access that they need. Now with policy 2.3, this is climate resilient water supply. So with action two point d and two point e, we wanna look more into water planning. So we wanna encourage local water agencies that so, like, our latest climate projections are including, sustainable water practices.

Additionally, with two point e, we wanna consider more ways to store water instead of instead of having our dependence on a single water source. So this could look like rainwater capture and groundwater storage. And then policy 2.4, continuing water conservation and efficiency. So action two point f, again, partnering with promote partnering and promoting with Santa Parabola water efficiency programs for the usage in vulnerable communities to include things like rebates, technical assistance, and performance standards that are better. Now with policies 2.5 to 2.9, these are again more physical things that we can implement for water conservation.

So with policy 2.5, drought resilient water supply management, supported by action two point g, of course, we wanna identify if feasible to prioritize the expansion of groundwater recharge and capture it so we have more drought resilient water options. Next is policy two one six aqua four storage and recovery. So this action two point h focuses specifically on evaluating the benefits and cost effectiveness of implementing more Aquaphor storage, as a as a way to have more access to water, which will be used by capturing excess storm water and storing it. With policy 2.7, Jarvis land land use and development. So supported by action two point I, this is to evaluate, of course, where feasible to update the municipal code and development standards where, any future projects we have ensure that there's dry land landscaping, included in it.

This could be, like, efficiency irrigation and water efficient fixtures and more newer renovations. And then policy 2.8 is ecosystem and habitat resilience. So this benefits two things in, Morgan Hill as a community. It's both our local ecosystems, such as creeks and, improving the vegetation because we are enhancing groundwater usage. And then this also benefits us because we have another way, to have storage for water.

And then final finally, policy 2.9, which is equity centered drought adaptation. So with action two point k, we wanna use social vulnerability indicators. So this is to acquire data that shows, where certain neighborhoods need more assistance, for investments or outreach or any other help they may may need to ensure that neighborhoods are getting the help they need. So with that, I'm gonna pass it on to Dia to talk about extreme heat.

Hi, everyone. My name is Sia Chuhan, and I'm a student intern here at CAPS, as well as a senior at Ann Sparta High School. And today, I'll be presenting an overview of extreme heat school's policies and actions. And so as you can see, this is the city of Morgan Hill's extreme heat climate vulnerability map that highlights high heat exposure in Morgan Hill and how densely populated neighborhoods with limited access to tree canopy are disproportionately impacted. So for example, in Census Block 314130 Purse 38% of the population works outdoors, increasing sensitivity to heat related illnesses.

The second map shows by twenty fifty, extreme heat risks increases dramatically across all census blocks. And so what this looks like is more days above 95 Fahrenheit and higher nighttime temperatures. These trends disproportionately affect older adults, low income households without access to air conditioning and outdoor workers. In order to reduce extreme heat exposure, the first goal focuses on reducing the risk that extreme heat poses to individuals and the environment. Policy 3.1 focuses on expanding urban cooling infrastructure in high activity public spaces through heat mitigating materials.

The corresponding actions support this by installing to describe infrastructure in highly visited parks and other areas to protect vulnerable populations from extreme heat. The next action prioritizes shaded transportation routes by utilizing heat mapping and social vulnerability data to identify key pedestrian and bicycle routes. Now let's dive into policy 3.2, which aims to strengthen heat resilience by expanding tree canopy in areas with limited shade and high heat exposure using climate drug tolerant tree species. The first action advances effort by collaborating with schools and community groups to support voluntary volunteer tree planting efforts. Additionally, equitable landscaping should be incorporated by planting and maintaining trees in rural neighborhoods while also establishing maintenance standards to ensure long term shade.

This is crucial because expanding greenery helps lower surface temperatures. Policy 3.3 focuses to strengthen community awareness by implementing public transportation efforts around extreme heat risks, symptoms of heat related illnesses, and other methods for residential safety. This action supports us by developing and distributing multilingual educational materials that highlight available sources. The last policy and its corresponding actions for this goal focuses on expanding alternative cooling The first action aims to install and maintain drinking fountains and water refill stations in highly visited public spaces. The next action introduces shaded public seating and gathering spaces in parks, plazas, and other public community areas.

Now let's dive into the fourth goal under extreme heat, which is to which is to reduce the disproportionate impacts of extreme heat by prioritizing vulnerable neighborhoods, strengthening community preparedness, and investing in long term heat resilience strategies. The first policy from this goal focuses on using data driven planning to effectively protect neighborhoods that face the greatest risk from extreme heat. Actions four point a through c support this by establishing a regularly updated vulnerability map, prioritizing heat resilient improvements, and using regional heat data and alert tools such as CalHEAT score and AlertSCC to improve awareness. This policy focuses on expanding access to safe and reliable cooling centers during extreme heat events. Actions four point d through f supports this by strengthening existing cooling hubs by extending hours, improving awareness of cooling centers and transportation options, enhancing reliability of the Centennial Recreation Center as a cooling cup, and planning for additional cooling cups in the area.

The next policy focuses on improving heat resilience in neighborhoods that experience the greatest exposure to extreme heat. The following actions support this by increasing tree canopy by 30% through planting and long term maintenance in parks and public spaces as well as requiring shade structures and heat reducing materials into new and updated public infrastructure projects located in vulnerable areas. To conclude, policy 4.4 focuses on strengthening community preparedness by supporting partnerships, resilience hubs, and volunteer network networks during extreme heat emergencies. And so four point j three k enhances this effort by developing neighborhood based resilience hubs in heat vulnerable areas and building community support networks. For example, this can look like training volunteers to conduct wellness checks here in the city.

Now I'll be passing it on to Nate. Thank you.

Hi. My name is Nie, and I'm a CAPS intern and a senior at Live Oak High School. So today, I'll be presenting an overview of the flooding's, goals, policies, and actions. So as you can see from the map, there it's a combination of climate hazard and social vulnerability. The western part of this map, of Morgan Hill is especially affected and exposed to the flooding hazard.

But, however, the top the north part of, Morgan Hill is, less affected. And yeah. So the second map of Morgan Hill, it focuses on the flooding in twenty fifty of Morgan Hill. And as you can see, the western part of Morgan Hill remains, heavily exposed to flooding hazard. However, the the biggest change in the map from the first one, is that, it has increase in the climate hazard and social vulnerability.

So unlike the yellow it was before, it's now orange. So this is a combination of, what it's a this combination increases the likelihood of roadway flooding disruptions to emergency responses and impacts to older housing stock. So as a team, we've made two goals to combat this, rise in a flooding hazard. So it focuses on minimizing the effects caused by flood, educating the public, and providing equitable resource to everyone as well as prioritizing, vulnerable communities. So our goal our first goal, focus on minimizing the impacts of, current flooding hazards on buildings, households, and vulnerable populations such as low income ones, through climate focused adaptation strategies.

So our first policy 5.1, focus on designing and upgrading, flood protection measures to flood protection devices based on climate patterns to reduce flood risk in vulnerable neighborhoods. So our first action five point a includes using flood hazard data to identify areas that are most vulnerable and need to be prioritized. Action five point b discusses, upgrading flood protection strategies to our infrastructures and buildings. Rx policy 5.2, ensures equitable flood protection, to the to vulnerable population and communities from investments for investments. So action five point c supports this by, establishing equitable flood management program to ensure affordable and reliable maintenance for our infrastructure.

Action five point d includes promoting and expanding the Cyclix fix application so that it can include more categories for flooding hazards and include multilingual translations such as Spanish. Policy 5.3 focuses on aqua forest storage and groundwater recharge. So we want to explore this, to make use of the excess stormwater while reducing flood hazards. So both these action five point e and five point f, they're examples of, some climate resilient stormwater capture strategies and aquifer recharge that we want to evaluate and, the benefits of. So continue on.

Policy 5.4 focuses on collaborating with our regional partners, audit agencies, and neighboring jurisdiction to manage flooding at watershed scale and reducing storm stream risk and building resilience. Action five point g supports this by coordinating with the watershed councils, flood control districts, and the Santa Clara County to share data and align on the best practices. Action five point h improves the regional, networks to safely route stormwater and minimize its impacts. Continuing on with this policy, action five point I, and j uses updated, hydrologic models to make effective watershed scale investments and make efficient land use decisions, ensuring that it's equitable. So our next, our next goal is focused on enhancing and modernizing the flood management systems.

Our first policy 6.1, we want to expand and modernize our storm water drainage systems to address the localized, flooding and protect our public health and safety. Action six point a, we want to conduct a citywide condition and capacity assessment, of the stormwater infrastructure to identify damaged pipes, undersized, and aging ones, and facilities that needs upgrades. Policy 6.2,

prior

wait. Policy 6.2, we wanna focus on the ecological aspect of it. So restoring so, for example, action six point b, we want to, prioritize restoring, bile wells, wetlands, and riparian areas and other native vegetations to increase the stormwater storage and capacity and reduce flood risk as well as support, our drought situation. Action six point c, focus specifically on partnering with Valley Water to restore and expand the riparian buffers along the channels and creeks by planting vegetations to absorb the runoff. So policy 6.3, this focus is specifically on household flood preparedness, so how to support, people and and guide them.

Action six point d six point e supports this by collaborating with Santa Clara County to install and maintain flooding monitor monitoring, sensors and gouges in high risk areas and link the data back so that it we can have quick emergency responses and alert system and ensure that they're accessible in Spanish. Action six point f, we want to distribute, like, flyers and, updated ones, printed materials that outline evacuation routes and flood safe locations in case of emergencies to all the households to enhance preparedness. Action six point g, we want to continue to offer free multilingual and accessible education served through the office emergency services on flood preparedness for all the residents. Policy 6.4, strengthens flood resilience across infrastructure and communications. So the two action, actions 6.8, we want to conduct regular inspections and assessments of, bridges and key transfer trans transportation links to make sure they are safe and reliable.

Action six point I, we want to improve the multilingual flood communication through signage, alerts, and outreach materials that convey these risk, evacuation routes, and emergency procedures. And finally, action action six point j, a focus on evacuation route management, so maintaining and keeping the routes up to date to ensure that they're accessible, safe, and clearly marked. And I want to pass this on to Josh.

Alright.

Hello, everybody. My name is Joshua, and I am a CAPS intern and a senior at Live Oak High School. Today, I'll be talking about the goals, policies, and actions we created regarding wildfire risk in Morgan Hill. But first, I wanna talk about this map. This map shows the current areas at risk for wildfire in Morgan Hill, and as you can see, it's highest in the eastern and western edges of the city.

And although we only have current wildfire risk data, statewide projections indicate longer fire season and drier vegetation, so the amount of area at risk is likely to increase in the coming years. Now for wildfires, we have two goals, the first of which is about reducing wildfire risk to life, property, and critical facilities in these high risk areas. For this goal, we have policy 7.1, which is about designing new critical facilities outside of these high risk areas. For this policy, we have action seven a, which focuses on maintaining an inventory of these critical facilities and essentially upgrading them to handle more hazards and retrofitting them with backup power. For policy 7.2, we're trying to coordinate with regional partners to update our evacuation plans and our emergency responses.

For this policy, we have action seven point b, which focuses on establishing a reoccurring, risk reduction program such as roadside clearances and new signage that is focused within the high risk neighborhoods. Now for our second goal regarding wildfire, we're trying to ensure all people, receive equal care for wildfire preparedness while prioritizing, vulnerable neighborhoods. For this goal, we only have one policy, which is policy 8.1, which is trying to ensure the public is properly educated about wildfire risk and preparedness. For this, policy, we have action eight point a, which is trying to, develop an annual wildfire preparedness campaign such as workshops and school programs tailored to these high risk and vulnerable communities. Again, for policy 8.1, we have action eight b, which is trying to encourage partnership with local nonprofits to help cohost wildfire preparedness events and distribute educational material.

And then action eight c is about using social vulnerability indicators and census block group data to help us better prioritize our investments and our wildfire preparedness, material. And then lastly, we have action eight d, which is trying to, translate, wildfire preparedness educational material and wildfire alerts into multiple languages and then partnering with trusted community based organizations to help distribute this information to the people that need it the most. And now, Adam?

Well done, team.

That's a

nice report.

So the the item before you tonight is the the recommendations report from this the CAPS interns with my assistance. And so we're just looking for feedback on this report from the proposed policies, goals, and actions as well as any questions on the map and and the the assessment that was completed. So next steps are we're not formally adopting anything tonight. We're not making a recommendation to the city council yet. As part of general plan updates, we are limited on how many times we can update a general plan a year.

And so what we what the goal is is to bring back the safety element in its entirety, and we're gonna be addressing other areas as the geologic and the seismic hazards, fire hazards, hazardous materials, flood control, and airport hazards. We're still or I'm still trying to figure out if we need to address noise within our safety element. In order to address noise, there would be a higher cost to address that to do a further analysis. And so as we update these other sections within the safety element, we're gonna coordinate the proposed updates with our police department, fire department, and engineering as well as, OES and other divisions. And the idea is that since this is as I mentioned beginning that we got a multiyear grant is to have, the CAPS interns work on this, over the summer and next year or the first semester in the in the fall.

So we're gonna do a single comprehensive update to the safety element and bring it back at a later date, in the probably in the fall time. And, finally, I just want to say thank you, to the CAPS interns. I wanna say thank you for me, Dia, Joshua, Quincy, and Isha. There is also another CAPS intern, Khan, who could not come today, and I just wanna thank them for their help. Without their help, we or I wouldn't have gotten this far.

We wouldn't have be able to do the climate assessment vulnerability or climate vulnerability assessment rather, or have these drafts to your commission tonight. And so in order to meet the state laws for s p three seventy nine a b, 2684, We're happy to answer any questions that you have. Okay.

I had do have one question. When you say accept, are we formally gonna accept it? Like, vote on it? Or

So you don't have to vote on it. It's just accepting, by consensus.

Okay. Alright. So, we'll start with you, Steve. Do you have any questions? And if you could focus specifically whether it's drought or heat or whatever so we get the appropriate cap member to answer. Well You guys did a great job. Don't worry about it. We're not gonna we're not gonna trick you.

Absolutely not. I won't. They're way much smarter than I am.

Yeah.

So I know there's no way to say that sound without saying, say this without sounding old, but, I'm super impressed. Very proud of

the work that our I shouldn't

say youth. I should say young adults have done. It's very impressive document. I imagine as much work went into it as it appears. Yes. Good. So, no, I really don't have too many questions, especially given the context that Adam just mentioned. I'm perfectly happy accepting this report. I am curious about the future and the, more formal approvals that will be coming, And I assume they will have similar recommendations and findings, as this report has in it. So I am curious about that, but I guess I should be probably wait till till then for those questions.

I'll let you think.

I guess just to clarify. So if there is any particular goals, policies, or actions that you think need to be reworded or if there's something that needs to be addressed, now is also the time to provide that input so that we can make sure that it's addressed over the summer.

Okay. That's helpful. And I'll I'll start with a question. My main concern as I look through, the recommendations is I start thinking about the dollars and the impacts to, especially, our general fund. You know, it's really easy to say, let's go plant a bunch of trees, but I'm not sure that we can afford to maintain them and maintain them well considering we're all, you know, already way far behind, when it comes to landscape maintenance in the city.

And other things like the air conditioning recommendations and the backup power recommendations, those all sound great, but how is it gonna get paid for? So I don't know if that's considered, when we put these action items together or if that we just leave that to the city council at the time that those actions come forward to approve, or if we should be asking for that context to be included in the report.

So

Yes. Cost benefit.

Yeah. So the the, I guess, like, a full cost analysis hasn't been completed. But as part of most of these policies and actions, it is something that's in our current work programs, not these in particular, but ways how we look into this into the future. It's not just, what's in our work programs, but then also what grants we can secure as well. By having some of the or certain policies and actions within our general plan, we can point to them when we apply for grants and help fund the implementation part of it.

So there actually, in next month, there's an urban green grant that's coming onboard that we could potentially apply for, and then we just have to point to where do we say that we're gonna do this and, that we have it in some type of work program to do in the future so that we can get that type of grant.

Okay. And I guess my only follow-up would be, would it be this commission's duty or responsibility to address funding, or is it always just gonna be find the right recommendations and then leave it to city council to address the funding and whether those things are actually attainable?

Yeah. So it would just be providing your input and your feedback, but, ultimately, it is the city council and then also the divisions, their way on how they can implement it and how where we can find funding.

Okay.

I assumed as much. Thank you.

Leon? Yeah. Thanks. I wanna stop by saying what Steve said. I'm super impressed. What a great presentation, amazing amount of work. I'm getting old now. I'm trying to remember back when I was your, which is a bit of a challenge these days, but I was nowhere as articulate as you guys were. So really, really nice job. And I I understand, Adam, you probably couldn't have done any of this without the help of a team like this.

And I hope you took some good experience out as well because it's kind of what working life is like as well is, you know, analyzing and producing results and getting things done. I think the hard part is getting things done, right, what you were saying. I'll I'll touch on that for a second. But one piece of feedback I would give you, kind of rushed it a little bit. Next time, slow down just a little bit.

But just a little more tempered. And, you know, you can get your point across a little better than just rushing it. And the only other little nitpick I would say is try not to read it, try and say it rather than read it. Yeah. K? So that's it. I have a couple of specific questions, but to you to to here's the biggest challenge I think that you'll find the, know, item in this conversation over and over. These are all fantastic ideas. I would love to see even 25% of them done. But what you just described, not trying to be cynical, is not millions of dollars.

It's hundreds of millions of dollars, some of the stuff. When you get into flood protection and drought and water conservation and and then you said even planting trees. And we have a I love my city. We're a beautiful city. We we have a fantastic staff. We do, what probably more than we can with the money that we have. We can barely maintain what we have. Right? And planting all these trees across miles and miles of bikeways, fantastic. I just don't know where the money's gonna come from.

So I think that has to be factored to and be realistic about what you kinda can't do. But there is when you dig into this, there are some really good ideas, and some ideas actually don't cost a whole lot. So I think even be able to take some bits out of this is good positive stuff. I was a little challenged with drought, and it's probably one of my pet peeves because I'm not native to California myself as. I grew up in a country where we had no shot in the water. Right? Believe me. That's all. Which is probably the opposite problem. But it's natural in California, right, not to have rain from about now to October.

Right? It's natural for the whole place to go brown. Right? Or go to Spain or Italy or Australia or they all go brown. That's just natural. I think drought is driven by the amount of people that are here and the amount of water we consume, right, in conjunction with the our ability to conserve that water and to retain that water. Right? But I think the serious problem of job is the level of consumption. So, for example, so when you did your analysis, and maybe one of you could answer this question, what consumes most of the water in Morgan Hill in any household? Do you know? Do we ask? It's probably landscaping. Right?

So

Yes and no. Right.

It could be. Well, I usually in my house, I use 90% of my water on landscaping and 10% of

my water on the wheels.

Well, you gotta stop and go drop power. I I try even when I try. Right? But I I I like to myself as an example. My house was built. You know, I didn't I didn't build when I bought it. It's a and, you know, pretty crazy amount of grass. Right? Real grass that takes gobs and gobs of water. True. Right? Yep. Like and I'm just I'm not saying I'm the best example, but programs where you say better ways to encourage or to finance people to replace their grass with synthetic grass, for example, how much water would that say? Right? So the point I make, I guess, is that has to be factored too to say, drought is the water we consume, and we need to be realistic about where all all our water goes and what consumes it.

Sure. And it's not your shower or taking a glass of two taking two glasses of water versus one.

It's not necessarily true. In fact, Jennifer and I had a conversation earlier about a lot of the new developments. And, you know, developers, the number one goal is to make money. So they put in tankless water heaters. Right? Mhmm. The cheapest one they can get without a recert pump. So you're on the 3rd Floor. You wanna take a shower. That thing runs for five minutes before you get any hot water.

I agree. But I'm saying in comparison. I mean, I look I can tell I I can if you ever wanna see it, you know, my November water bill and my July. Oh, yeah. Is like bananas. Right? How much of a difference it is? And it's all driven by lawn and sprinklers and drip systems. Right? Anyway, that was one. Right? The second thing I didn't understand is there was a I'm like, I'm not complaining about the presentation, but it's like, there was a lot about the social vulnerability, and we have to focus on the socially vulnerable areas for drug. Everybody suffers the drought. Why is it one side of town and not the other? We're all consuming the same water, right, from the same source.

We're all on faucets and supply. So why would a vulnerable socially vulnerable area require more focus than, say, somewhere on the East Side or West Side of the city. I don't get it.

Because you have the resources to mitigate any impact from water supply, which some people don't. Yeah. That's what I'm coming down to.

That's like But I'm I'm exactly what you're asking.

So Again, to give myself a good example, you know, I probably live in a slightly bigger house than than, let's say, someone in the core of downtown just by the nature of where I live. I am consuming more water whether I like it or not. Right? So am I shouldn't I be a focus rather than the person in a condo, an apartment downtown with no grass, no lawn, just, you know, using shower and wet, no water? Mhmm. I don't get that connection. So,

Liam, like, if I could just say, like, when I was part of the healthy neighborhoods initiative, I I had, like, the same thought. For example, I was saying, you know, if the vulnerable communities experience intense heat, why don't they just why don't we make sure each apartment has an air conditioning unit? And they said, hey. We do have air conditioning units. But the minute we turn them on, PG and E gets us.

So imagine these cramped apartments close together, lot more heat, less breeze than you're getting in your single family home. Yep. Angers, tempers are shorter. It it's a lot of congestion. They're they're they're actually when they turn on that air conditioned unit, it kills their you know, it just wrecks them financially. So that's it was an eye opener for me.

Yep. I so I completely agree with that. Was still on the topic of drought. Right? But when it comes to heat, I completely agree with you. And I think what we have to be realistic about in heat is that again, I'm just using this for example. I can't afford to run my AC. In fact, if I have that doesn't need a whole lot of AC just by the fact of how it was constructed. Right? Mhmm. But a lot of the more let's call it more simpler, more dense apartments that are built, don't upgrade insulation. Right? They're multistory, but you get hotter as you get up. Right? And then you're right. I think that one of the fundamental problems is the ability to pay the PG and E bill to run your AC when you need to hold it. That's where you focus and say, what can we do about that? But more so anything

about that. But do you have any questions about the report?

That's what I'm talking about. Right? You asked me for your feedback. Right?

Feedback? Well, it sounded more like a diatribe.

No. What I no. The point I'm making sure is that when we do these reports with all these goals Yeah. Right, I'm focused on how do I achieve the goal. Right? And if we're saying socially vulnerable areas have a problem with dealing with heat, right, we all can't just join hands and sing kumbaya, and all of sudden, the problem's solved. Right? Someone's gotta pay for the AC. Right? That's my point. So you can have all the plans you want here and present this, but you have what is

the

tangible action to solve the problem? That's my point.

And I think to try

and drop those up.

So I think there are key there are actions in here that address that. It's not just saying provide air conditioning units and units. It's a it's providing that shade cover, providing, refuge areas, providing cooling centers. And so there's multiple on on that heat side, there's talking about all of that, and there's the same thing with all these other sections, for drought, flooding, and wildfire on key things that we can do in the community to help those most in need as well as the city in whole.

But I completely agree that those vulnerable leaders do need some focus for this stuff. Right? I do agree with that. Right? I just wish we had more control over things like building standards where you could put better insulation in and where you could put better solar in more than one panel, you know, to give them the ability to be able to cool down. And I love the idea of more cooling centers. I think we had a very hot year. Was a last year before. It was super hot here. Those cooling centers were lifesavers. Right? And I just think more of that for sure. But in general, great report. I love the ideas. Really struggle with how the industry gets funded. You guys did a fantastic job. Kudos to you, and I look forward to more collaborative projects from from the students. Thanks.

David? Great job,

everybody. I'm not gonna repeat anything my colleagues have already said, but, I do wanna have discussion with you guys. And, Adam, if if you have anybody that specifically wanna point out, but I kinda wanna talk about the report and just challenge you guys, especially while we're talking. We don't wanna ignore you. If you've got an answer to what we're talking about, raise your hand or, Adam, if you know one of them, because our job is to talk to that.

If we have questions about the report, you guys made the report, provide us more information in detail about your your specific topic. Can I challenge you that? I am curious to know the area that in your in your block census between Dunn, Tennant, Monterey, and One Zero One, it's high risk for a lot of these topics. So if we were to just take the drought block census, do you guys have an idea why that specific area if I lived in that community, because I don't know if any of my members live in that in that area, why is that the biggest risk on all of our block census? Do you guys have an answer for that?

Topography. I know social justice is one of them, but what is going on with that region? I live there. I kinda have a Okay. I kinda wanna know why.

If they don't wanna speak up by, well,

we'll give a chance, Matt.

I didn't see anybody raising that.

Adam, if you have anybody that is specific to that topic that can provide me you guys did the census report. Why? If you're not comfortable, I I understand. But I'm just curious why those blocked census areas are higher risk on each of your maps. I don't know the answer, so I'm asking you guys.

I do. But you wanna ask like, they're asking they're asking me.

Joe wants to go back to high school.

So Alright, Adam. They all they all looked at different portions of this, And so I'm not sure if there's one key, intern that can answer it. But if there's if there's anything you wanna say, feel free. Even if it's, like, one sentence, one response on something that you researched.

Can we offer bonus points?

Sure.

Okay. Let's And send you.

And send you. Of there. In terms of that. Alright. So it's it's mainly on the social vulnerability side on the demographics census information. So those key areas, it's because it's, the lowest income, areas within the city. So when we also looked at our healthy neighborhoods for all element as well as our conservation element of where we need to, have equity goals and policies, it was these areas. It's the same areas.

It's Yeah.

What we call opportunity neighborhoods, where there is that we can improve on based on the census data for those areas. It's also looking at demographics on age. So it's where the where are their kids that are five and younger? Where are their seniors 65 and older that are living alone? It's percent of population that has a disability.

I actually have a a list here because I thought this might be a one of the questions. Mhmm. So percent of households that don't speak English, that's percent of workers that have outdoor occupations, people who work in the agricultural industry. And then it's also list looking at their their housing. So, where's their where's their it's also looking at different income strategies.

So whether they have housing insecurity, where have they missed payments or rent, as well as other economic mobile or vulnerability. So if they're on any type of any type of restrictions or, food stamps or Mhmm. Something like that. If and then also the median income as well. There's so there's a whole list of things.

It's also looking at health aspects as well. Where are there people who have asthma, other health concerns, where do they have a lack of insurance, health insurance. It's also looking at dental, vision insurance as well. So it's looking at a multitude of different indicators, indicators, and that's where it's highest within Morgan Hill.

Okay. So would it be safe

to say it was based on some assumptions based on the census data?

No. It's based on the data that we developed during

the No. I I I understand that, but it's still you have to make assumptions based on because you're not interviewing every person in that area.

So it's based off of census data. So it's from census data from 2020 where it was the long form. So it's very detailed information or the most detailed information that we have.

Okay. So the follow-up question to that, Adam, you talked about, you know,

this is a vision

possible solutions to seek funding to implement some of these solutions. Are these areas gonna be the priority locations when you're applying for those grants that you're gonna be looking at not only this large block done to Tenet, but maybe micro communities within that? Is that gonna be the goal?

Yes. We're seeing now within the past six months, maybe even the past year, all future funding are concentrated within, either these area these communities, our our opportunity neighborhoods, or near transit. That's where all grants are being funded right now.

Got it.

Okay. Those are my questions.

Thank you. Joe? Alright. Just on that opportunity neighborhood, I don't remember, but it was by far the largest check marks of any neighborhood in the city for issues around health and everything else in that neighborhood. It was just completely different.

The other part is is that housing is old. It's got it gotta be not necessarily the earliest, but near. It it goes back way, and the building codes were nothing like they are now. And I think it's a lot of rental property. And from the healthy neighborhoods program, we learned that the renters are more scared about housing and having food to eat than they're willing to risk the rent going up because you make improvements.

Right? So there's a huge barrier that has to be addressed at work with that. And that's one that I noticed some of the same things coming up about doing water and doing things like that. But if you do it in a home, the property owner is liable to raise the rent, or that's the fear of the people who live in that neighborhood. Right?

And so there's there's a huge barrier that goes with it, but that accounts for a lot of it. It's actually heavily concentrated, I think, between the railroad tracks and Monterey in the Dunn, Tennant area. And then it also covers over onto the West Side. So, that's something you might wanna think about. How do how how might we leverage what we learned in the healthy neighborhoods about how to work with that neighborhood to get some of the low hanging fruit done, right, without risking their housing.

The flood map and the thing like that, the flooding, in 2050 projections, this is a little bit of an unfair question, does it include the completion of West Vegas Creek blood control project?

No. It does not.

Yes. And it doesn't include that because the float maps are probably eight to ten years off from being changed, and that's what it's based on, I bet.

Right. Yeah. I've been informed that after the project is complete, it's at least four years after that.

Yeah. At least. So that's something maybe on the next maybe on the next revision, we'll see the impact of it. And does it delay some of that stuff?

Yes.

It may not forget it. And then, the wildfire map. Can I see the wildfire map again? Okay. Down at the very bottom near the center, it that's the city limit line for sure and not the urban growth boundary. Well, maybe one and the same right there. I'm almost sure it is.

But I don't need

The only reason I'm thinking about it is our sphere of influence line goes farther out Edmonton. It goes all the way to the West Side of Paradise Valley, maybe even up to the top of the hill there, which is in way in the county.

Right. Yeah. So this shows our city limits.

Probably they're in the most down there too. Okay.

Liam?

Yeah. Just

a couple things, and I think the the students actually had it there, but it was had it in coordinating or working with Valley Water at one point in the water conservation. The Valley Water will give you a grant to change your grass and other grains are available to pay for that that many in the city have used. So rework the whole thing.

No. Not mine. They won't. Go go on. Okay. I I've already looked

at it. Go ahead. Alright. Yeah. Let's see.

And and as far as looking out a time distance, I think the vision on this is great. And here's why I think it's great. Does anybody know when P L 566 or West Yagas Creek flood control project was first initiated? 02/1990, 1980. Try 1950. That project has been unvoked since 1950, and it stopped at the on the commission then? Be careful, grandpa. It

was the it was it was the fault. And

it stopped North of Gilroy because the federal government changed the cost benefit ratio, and the population from there north would never meet the threshold again. It took major work by the city, the county, and Valley Water to push through funding to finally get it completed. So I like the idea that we got a slot out there. It sets a seed. Right?

Maybe we don't know how to pay for it now or how to do it, but somebody that comes along after us may figure out how to solve the problem and get it done. The part that's really hard is I think at one point you said we're working with new housing, but we can't leave the old housing behind. That's where we've gotta fix it because the new housing is actually per pretty darn water efficient in what they use. And if you ask Chris about the sewer flows and things like that, they've actually gone down Mhmm. As our population has increased because of all the new benefits.

So we can't lose track of preexisting housing and how we do it. You know? The easy solution is rebuilding, but there's a lot of problems with that. One, it's costly, but how do you solve the housing needs of the people that live there now?

And that Paul, I'll you first. Okay.

So I'm gonna be, like, your cheerleader. And I think if I got the names right, I I'm gonna Bushra and Joshua, me, Deanne, Isha, and Quincy. You guys did a fantastic job. So when I was your age, the only thing I was thinking about was, like, when's the next issue of Batman or Superman? Betty and Veronica is coming out. But, Adam, credit to you, you've given them some big ideas to work on. This is consequential stuff. So don't be discouraged because adults have a way of blocking everything great. So if one thing that you have worked on gets through, you have helped reshape Morgan Hill. Great credit to your presentations.

The thing about presentations, the more you do it, the better you will be. It's just a matter of practice. So, yeah, fantastic. You inspire me that this planet has some hope still. So thank you. The only feedback I had was you talk about partnerships with the the water people. Have we looked at how we partner with Anderson Lake Reservoir, which has a lot of water,

and

we're right there? I know. Can we get some of it? Have we investigated that because it's like water in our backyard? That's the only question I had.

I think I know the answer.

Yeah. I was gonna say I think Joe knows the answer. So

I think There's

a lot

of trick questions. I know.

I've seen. So Anderson, for the most part, is for North County. It all flows north of us. At one point, we looked at trying to get tapped into the pipeline that goes even farther north, the one that comes from over on the East side of the state all the way over here. And I don't know if we actually ever have been allowed to tap into that to help replenish our aquifer. Right?

Yeah. So to me, that's a problem. Right? We should blow a hole in the dam and and run a pipeline direct to Morgan Hill.

Hey. They just rebuilt it. They I

I know. But, I mean, it's It's our water. Eight years, it'll be done. Yeah. It's our water. Yeah. It shouldn't be going north or south. So I think it's worth looking into, but that's my feedback to the group.

Paul, anything else? That's it. Khabib, you're up.

Yeah. I was just gonna say, Paul, if you need a hand making a hole in that dam, let me know. I'll help you out.

Then we gotta go back to the flood map.

Yeah. If if Anderson catastrophically fails in all one instant, almost all of the flatland in Moreno Hill will be in multiple, multiple feet of water. Right.

Yep.

Pub sold. I'm take care of the fire.

There you go. No more fire risk. No more no more problem. No more people. Alright. Sorry, Mohammad. Go ahead.

Yeah. So I was, I just gonna first reiterate some of the the comments that other commissioners had made. I was extremely impressed by the presentation, by the the content, by the reports, by the data overlays that you brought together and visualize on the maps to the the presentation and the the delivery and everything else. You know? I think, you should know that this is what typically, professionals that are, like, career consultants and so on.

This is the type of, delivery and package that they they typically do. And, you know, to be one of the first, like, biggest projects that you've worked on. I think it's gonna really set you up very well for your your future ambitions, your career, whether it's in college and beyond and so forth. So just trying to reiterate what other commissioners had had mentioned as well with just being really impressed with your delivery tonight. I had a first maybe set a specific question.

I may have overlooked this initially, but this was on the presentation for goal or his policy, I think, one point one and one and 2.1. I wanted to see if you could help clarify for me the the differences between the two. I may have just overlooked it during the presentation as I was trying to listen in. So policy one one point one, which is water conservation education, and I think if you wanna jump over to 2.1.

Okay. We're 2.1.

And that was water efficiency education. If you can maybe help me better understand the the differences between those two policies. I know the actions were were specifically different. But when it comes to the policy, if you can help me understand the differences between the two.

Yeah. So policy 1.1 is to expand the accessible, cultural relevant, and climate informed education programs, that helps residents, businesses, and community organizations understand effective water conservation practices and long term impacts of drought.

The difference I see is I see it that they use it efficiently. Right? Is is the different than what you read it. Right? That helps conserve, but it's more detailed.

So the the the conservation is more detailed than the efficiency or the the other way around?

I think it's the other way around. Conservation is is a did, but how do you conserve? Right? The importance of conversation is at the high level.

Right? Mhmm.

The next level down is how do you do it? How do you implement it? Mhmm. And what kinds of things are efficient at it? Mhmm.

Right. And I was also looking at the goals, and that's how the goals were were worded as well. So it's, like, more community resilience versus the other goal, which is ensure long term border security.

Got it. And then so maybe a a related question too then, I guess, this falls under then maybe more so the water efficiency. Not necessarily on the education, but implementation. Is that something that we're currently requiring for new construction or new development? Again, not kinda going historically back to existing development. But is that something that's currently within the the city codes that Yes.

Yeah. Yes. In the California building code.

Oh, it's in the building code. Interesting. Okay. And then that also ties to another, thought maybe I had too is, what the interaction is, specifically with what what is being proposed with to us today versus its interactions with other, like, city policies and other documentation that we have for the city. So say, for example, like, the the Monterey corridor FBC, or the housing element, or, like, some of these other documents that we have.

Would this be more of a overarching umbrella that would then want us to go back and review some of those specific documents that we have in the city? Or, like, how does that relationship kinda go when it comes to maybe we want to go ahead and proceed with what we have as proposed tonight, for example?

Right. Yeah. So this is kinda like the umbrella, and then so it would direct changes within our muni code and any other guidelines that we have, and then also how we implement our work program in the future for different divisions.

Got it. And then it's gonna stay within the general plan then? So it's gonna be, within the general plan and then, hence, the general plan kind of being the guiding document for the city and everything else below it?

Correct.

Okay. Perfect. Thank you. Let's see what else I have. Okay.

I've already talked about that one. I think the other comment I was gonna make too is as I was looking through the recommendations and actions, I think they're very well put together. I think the thing I was thinking of too is sometimes there might be some considerations for how one may negatively impact the other. So say, for example, I think it was on action four h where it's looking at proposing more tree canopies, especially in high heat vulnerable neighborhoods. But then as one of the other higher arching areas was around fire and fire prevention and, like, risks or mitigations for fire related events was just me thinking out loud is how we can think about good planning in regards to, you know, trees and so on can also be sometimes a a fuel for fires and can cause fires to propagate and so on is how we can plan better around, you know, some of these really great actions that we can take, but also see how some of those will interact with other actions that we we have proposed as well.

Again, kind of thinking about, like, long term planning because as you know, when, you know, when fires propagate, they they catch feel from the trees and embers and so on. And so, you know, if we were to say, you know, this is not something that's proposed, but, you know, say, for example, we ended up having a really high density of of trees to have a a big percentage of a canopy in, like, the high vulnerable areas that could also mean higher risks for other things like fires. And so I think just thinking about some of those interactions, I don't think that's necessarily something that we're at at this point given at how level how high level some of the actions are. But just kinda thinking about how some of the interactions are between certain actions in one area versus certain actions in in another. But, otherwise, again, I think I just thought it was really, really comprehensive, all of the the different actions you have in each of those categories, and it really shows you've done all the research and really thought about all those small interactions.

The other, two comments I'm gonna finally make are, I think, commissioner Liam and maybe a little bit with commissioner Mueller had talked about this versus around the prioritization. And, you know, I think commissioner Mueller kinda talked about the low hanging fruits and so on. I think it would be really great to think about, you know, maybe, like, the one or two actions that you think are, like, really important. Or if you kinda go back and do maybe, like, a impact and effort analysis on some of those specific actions, and so that way you can kinda bring up and prioritize some of those actions that you might even be able to help help implement. I think that would be a really great next step, at least, when it comes to thinking about that next phase eventually as this moves through, you know, other, departments and, city council giving comments and fire and so on and so forth.

And when that actual actually comes, I think it would be a great, area for CAPS to engage in and see how they can actually try to implement some of these and kinda see what some of the impacts might be, you know, whether it's funding, and what, you know, maybe the efforts it might be and so on. So you kinda eventually get to what some of those low low hanging fruits are and some of those actionable steps that you can take. And I think the other comment I'd make is, again, this was also something commissioner Liam touched on as well is, when it comes to those actions is is seeing how you can, sometimes already some things are already established, so it's really just connecting one to the other, whether it's programs that, you know, the water district has to help with efficiency or with landscaping and so on. But really having, you know, set timelines and actions and having people that are owners for those specific actions that you're gonna eventually hopefully get the chance to implement. And so I think all all that to say is I think it's it's been an excellent presentation.

I think, overall, you've done a very well job. And, yeah, just thinking really about next steps, I think, would be something I'd be really looking forward to in implementation itself. So that's all I had to share. Thank you.

Thank you. Again, excellent report. I do have one question for the CAPS team, Adam, and, of course, Joe. Can we go back to the flood map? I just can't get my head around why the 2026 gets so much more intense in 2050, especially when we're in a drought. So

I could I I was gonna ask that question, but I asked him anyway.

Right. So Yeah. Can somebody explain to me why it changed so drastically? Over time?

From 2050. Like, why is 2050? '50 is. Well, something's way worse. Yeah. Why?

And Well They don't need water.

Right. Exactly. I mean, that may be a very simplistic question. But

What so so the the flood map right now doesn't take into account p l $5.66, which is cost or excuse me. I mean, it's West Yarders Creek now. That flooding, we've seen at time, will actually flood all downtown and get up into buildings at times. Right. Right? And it has over the history. That project, when it's completed and in the the federal flood map, will, in my opinion, slow the 2050 requirement down quite a bit because it's gonna carry, I think, up to the hundred year flood, most of it underground piping till it gets farther south until the channel lights out. What's the map?

We have it going all the way up to Anderson Van.

But but if that's your job

Yeah.

If if we're improving the flow of water in case of high rains and floods, why is it worse than 2015, not better?

Okay. So Because it's not in it.

Yeah. Because it it hasn't been reflected yet. So it has to be the project has to be completed, and then it has to be approved by FEMA. FEMA is the one who would have to update the maps to make that reflection and agree that the change will make that that improvements.

Okay. So let's say let's say you don't so who made the 2050 map?

So we made this map with all the information that we

have now.

Got from okay.

And so we can't so so I guess one other thing to mention is that, the new laws also requires us to review this every eight years along with the

the Okay.

Housing element. So at the next housing element, we'll also review this as well, and it will probably be if it's not updated during the seventh cycle, it'll be updated in the eighth cycle.

Okay. So, Adam, what did you factor so my question, Joe, is what did you factor in, Sartre? No. Go right ahead. What did you factor in your analysis? What in your analysis showed you that it's gonna be worse? Like, is the is it a climatic change? Are we gonna get a deluge of water Or or what? What happens in 2050? Not that we have to worry about too much, guys. But Yeah. Cannot be kidding.

Yeah. I don't have to worry about it. But

So it's taking a look at a multitude of indicators. It's taking a look at some of these other issues that we're facing with climate change with extreme heat, what our temperatures are increasing the less. It's looking at one year, five year, and multiple year droughts as well in the future. We are expecting multiple year droughts in the next twenty five years. Right.

So wouldn't it be better? What does that got

to do with flooding, Adam? Doesn't that make it better? How how is flooding worse? Yeah. I got a question.

I gotta go back to high school because I'm not smart enough to figure this out. 2026, or '25 map reflects the current condition without the improvements to the creek?

Yes. Okay. And the 2050 map still takes them in, into account. So everything moves. So if if you don't do anything, it's gonna go up that far because it's using flooding here today.

What's gonna go

up? Why would

it go up? Why would it go up? I I don't understand why it would. What's what factor is it?

Rain is gonna be the last

Sorry. I have the the drought maps up themselves responding to the map that was up. So with the flooding, it's looking at just what the information that we have today, not imagining there. If the improvements aren't completed, if they're not addressed through through the the the improvements from Lagos Creek. It's looking at additional rainfall. So even though there's maybe multiple year droughts, when there's a But it's not complete now.

Right. It's not complete now either. So wouldn't this be

the same map Right. In twenty fifth?

Hey. Do we go to zip school? No. I'm just kidding.

I mean, mean, it's something we could take off on. And the people who are concerned about a map, like, stay back afterwards.

I agree with that comment.

It's a

it's a public meeting. Right? I mean,

you got, like, a subcommittee on the maps.

I was actually just gonna quickly mention too is I recall, like, a few years ago, somebody telling us

Here comes the answer.

Something. Say

it. Oh, wait. Hold

up. One second.

Yeah. I can say something very quickly. I used to be an environmental science teacher. So, basically, the 2050 projection, I think, doesn't show that in 2050, you will have both scenarios. But if you expect flooding to be the hazard at that time, that would be the projection. But you may have drought instead with that projection, with the climate change that we have right now, like, all the, the impact from climate change.

But isn't the climate isn't the climate change alright?

Like, for example, I used to live in New Orleans. That's where I lived the last five year eight years. Over there, it's mostly flooding hazards because of the conditions and where we're at. So but we may still have a map that rejects drought hazards, but we are very likely to see in 2050 flooding hazard more than drought hazard. We're still seeing a projection from both. And in 2050, specifically

Why Why are you seeing like, I all I'm saying is I think what Jim is saying. Again, maybe we should stop talking about it. But you're presenting this to the our city council. Right?

Right. You're asking them you're asking

them to think about strategies and decisions based on data you're presenting to them.

Right.

The data is saying I'm not talking so I buy the whole story about drought and heat problems. Right? I get it. It's getting worse every year, so there are no questions there. When you come and say, in 2050, we're gonna have significantly more flooding than we do now, and we're not factoring in this big project that's gonna solve that problem, but we haven't got it now either. Right? Yeah. What is changing climate But results are coming?

Yeah. But remember what they're projecting is the probability of a hazard or hazards due due to to climate change. So climate change can produce severe heat for a number of years, but it can also produce severe flooding. So they have to show the extreme flooding that can occur as well as the extreme heat showing that? That can occur.

Well, we couldn't record right now.

Yeah. Why wouldn't you show it now? Because the risk is the same today

as it is in '20 That is a good explanation. That's a good explanation where So minus can change where things get extremely hot. Maybe gets these massive floods, you know, for a week. Right? So I get that.

If And it also depends on

What you were saying, you were saying that your data your it's driven out the data that you were given. Right? What's in that data that produced up map that shows us severe flooding? That's all I was asking.

So we also looked at the projected percentage of precipitation that's projected from now through twenty forty four, forty four. And then we also looked at projections for 2020 or 2044 through '20, '74. So we went beyond the twenty fifty years just to get the extra five years of of projections. We also looked at the population, where do people live within the one hundred year flood zone, the five hundred year flood zone as well. So it's also looking at that data as well. Where do people live? Where is there gonna be high severity, storms, atmospheric rivers that would impact where people are living?

Alright. I'm I'm gonna stop. I don't think you're giving a satisfactory answer. I because the data should tell us something. It's not. But, you know, I think we'll I'll stop my question there. But I'm not getting a logical explanation as to how you produce that map.

One other thing that I wanna add on is in 2050, like, for example, rain or flooding throughout the year, do you experience flooding all year round? Not necessarily. You may experience flooding a specific month throughout the year. Same thing with drought. You experience that one or two months throughout the year, specifically, like, summer.

Mhmm.

So that's also what the 2050 rejection is showing. It's not necessarily that all of 2050 you're gonna experience that map that may be for flooding in flooding season and then drought for drought season. So just wanted to add that part too. Thank you.

Thank you. I was actually, just gonna quickly mention too is when I was initially reading the map as well, the way I also understood it too is it's a increased risk. Right? So, for example, if it's, a hundred year risk of flooding, what that means is there's a a one in a hundred chance that you would experience, like, a a Right.

But we're having a risk now. Yeah.

No. But what happens is as time goes on and you haven't had the actual risk come, that means those later years, you have a substantially higher risk. It's kinda some lucky like

broken Vegas with that same strategy.

Yeah. Okay.

So

And then I I think just the the the one other thing I was just gonna quickly mention too is, how it was also explained to me is when there's really drought conditions that occur in you know, over time, what happens is even if you have a substantial amount of rain, the soils are no longer able to percolate the water as it as it comes in and for it to reabsorb. And so what happens is, you know, if you have the same amount of water that comes in on a regular climate condition, the waters will be able to absorb that water. But if it's in a drought condition, since the soils are so dry, it won't be able to absorb the same amount of water. Even though it's the same amount that it would otherwise be able to. What happens to the water, it ends up flooding.

And so, again, that's just one of the other things that that happens in drought conditions is

Okay.

You will likely get get flooding. Okay.

Let's table it for now. Okay. I think we've, killed the floods.

If there's no other no other comments from the bank mission, we also have to open for public comment. We do have a speaker card.

Okay. Why don't we bring open that up?

So we have Doug Merritt.

And I was gonna add that my weather app is never right on my phones. There's also that. That's true. Good

evening, commissioner, city staff, and CAPS interns. My name is Doug Muirhead, Morgan Hill resident. You are looking at the third step and a fourth step vulnerability assessment focusing on developing goals, policies, and actions to respond to identify risks. Although you have no sense of urgency, I'm going to skip ahead to the last step where you implement those strategies. In my opinion, you need to create connections between the silo labeled drought and the silo labeled extreme heat.

Your water conservation measure measures to remove multi benefit turf, which is supported by state law have labeled nonfunctional turf, is adding to the heat islands in the city. In the drought side, though, I would like to see higher priority for water reuse and water recycling. During multiyear droughts, our ability to import water and recharge our groundwater basin can be significantly reduced or even eliminated. Producing recycled water locally gives us local resilience and local control. Currently, one water district committee is looking at options for local recharge facilities such as the Butterfield Channel or the San Pedro Ponds using imported water.

Another water district committee is looking at reuse options with an initial preference for expanded recycled water in Gilroy rather than production in Morgan Hill. In the extreme heat cycle, I was pleased to see coordinate with partner agencies to extend hours and improve improve services at cooling hubs during extreme heat events. As far as power at the Centennial Recreation Center, I thought we already had installed a battery backup system. Perhaps I am confusing that with the generator system. I believe that the generator system at the county library was provided by PG and E for use only during public safety power shutoffs, so we need to expand its legal use.

With the addition of the Grange, our cooling hubs align with Monterey Road served by VTA bus number 60 with no transit from the eastern and western areas of the city since the termination of the VTA grant funded on demand service Mogo some time ago. So those are some of my more important thoughts on this. Thank you.

Thank you. Any other comments?

Yes. See any raised hands.

I have one, oh, comment. Go right ahead.

The success of this intern program, I think, has been fantastic.

Mhmm.

We've seen it over the years. The question is, can the teams that participate this year be the goal and then teams that follow-up go higher. And is there a follow-up? I mean, can is this a a type of grant where we could see it every year every year just different students or maybe a mix if younger students get along?

Yes. So Mariana and I are working on our work program for next year for the summer and for next school year. And so as part of this work program, so we have, as part of this team that's here tonight, we have, two juniors, and there is four seniors.

Uh-huh.

So, obviously, the four seniors will be going off to their future endeavors. But we hope to bring the juniors back over the summer and next year and then also have incoming juniors join the program as well. And so this will be right now, we have a three year grant. We are actively looking for more grants so we can continue this longer term or even expand the amount of projects that the interns work on. So for next school year's work program, we're looking at, for example, on the healthy neighborhoods for all element on how the students' interns can help implement some of the actions on that program. And so in future years, it'd be the same thing for this element as well.

Well, this year's group has set a very high bar from the work I've seen on a couple of different programs, and that's great. For those of you that are juniors, help the new folks that are coming on next year understand how high the bar is. Right? And see if you can raise it.

Anything else, Joe? No. Again, fantastic job. Are there any other comments before we go forward with the acceptance?

You know, we should give him around the plus.

I would just like to make one more comment. So I just wanna really thank the interns once again, and I wanna specifically thank, the seniors of me, the Joshua, and Con who's not here tonight. I this is my last night probably seeing you, at least here, in Morgan Hill. So I really appreciate your help, and I wish you the best of luck, in college and your future endeavors. And, Isha, I hope to see you next year.

Thank you.

That's it. We're done. We're done, I think. I've got a director's

report. Yep.

So for director's report, May 12, we are expecting an item. It'll be a CIP, so the additional workshop item. If we don't have the CIP information ready for May 12 meeting, we may cancel that meeting and then have it on the May 26. Okay. We'll have it on May 12.

Alright. You're okay.

I thought we had to make a recommendation that's in conformance with the general plan. Yes.

For the CIP. Yes. Other than that, we did have one more announcement. So May 6 is the next city council meeting. There's a consent items for Peoples, Peoples Square. There's a concession request, and so that will be another topic that the city council will be addressing. Anything else?

Nope. That's it. We're adjourned.

Thank you. Be fair.