September 1, 2005 Report
Start time: 9:40am, Adjourned 12:15pm

Attendance:

• All councillors and mayor in attendance (exception Samson - on vacation)
• Staff:
  • Scott Stewart, Manager of Public Works
  • Peter Barkwell, City Solicitor
  • Glen Peace, City Manager
  • Joe Rinaldo, General Manager, Finance & Corporate Services
  • Chris Murray, Red Hill Valley Project
  • Jim Harnum
  • Mary Lou Tanner
• Media:
  • Spectator,
  • Brabant,
  • CHML

PRESENTATION

5.1 Staff Update respecting August 19, 2005 flooding

Powerpoint presentation by Scott Stewart , General Manager of Public Works, Infrastructure and Environment - highlights .

a) Rain Event Intensity

b) Storm Water Management

c) Storm Water Systems

d) Storm Event Response Group

e) Regular Maintenance of Storm Sewer Inlets and Outlets, Catchbasins

f) Maintenance Performed in Response to Major Events

g) Current City Initiatives

h) What the public can do

i) Future steps

Joe Rinaldo , General Manager of Finance provided a connecting powerpoint presentation showing information on Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program (ODRAP) highlights

a) Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program

(i) Purpose of program

(ii) Declaration of Disaster

(iii) Process for applying to program

(iv) Insurance Claims History, surface flooding and sewer backups, claims for the July 26 th event, August 19 th event, and City's insurance coverage

Following the presentations, various councillors asked specific questions regarding the July 26 and August 19 storm and their effects for both the management of the city and its citizens.

The question of climate change arose several times. Scott Stewart , Manager of Public Works, reported that they have hired an independent meteorologist to look into this.

Stewart stated that it was not the lack of maintenance or age of infrastructure that caused the flood, but rather "the intensity of these two events", referring to the 2 rainfalls as somewhere between a 50 and a 100 year storm. Based on a 4 hour rainfall, 95% of storms in Hamilton are 25 mm or less. But in July 26, Hamilton received 60 mm of rain in less than 1 hour, and on August 19, 60 mm of rain in 1 hour. Stewart added that it was "rare because of our long, dry summer making the ground hard and therefore not able to absorb the rainfall."

When questioned as to why some areas got more rain than others, Stewart replied that "it was a localized problem that has to do with the nature of the storm. .In the future they will have the capability to slow the intake into the storm sewers instead of inundating them with so much water all at once." Stewart stated the need to "look at Real Time Control, which is what they have been pushing for. . For example, if Stoney Creek is getting localized rain, the City could slow down that area's flow, and leave other areas the way they are."

Councillor Pearson talked about making it legal to disconnect downspouts so that instead of flowing into the sewers, rainwater could go into a rain barrel or on the owner's unpaved property. Presently the by-law forbids the disconnecting of downspouts.

Councillor Whitehead referred to a report on the city of Peterborough which was declared a disaster area about 2 years back, and was able to receive funds through the Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program and that some of its problems were from flooding. Stewart said that Hamilton and Peterborough have similar problems with the curb design which leads to an "overland flow in the streets".

In Hamilton, presently 45% of the grades that are paved are hard surface, and that is increasing. Whitehead mentions the "percentage of grades that are paved, and asks about the time before flows are captured into the system - are we doing anything about this? Stewart replies that the "Real Time Control which is what we are getting will handle that."

Whitehead , when stating that some areas were harder hit than others, brings up the problem of people living in the Magnolia area of the west mountain, who reported to him that they never had flooding problems before the Lincoln Alexander Parkway was built. Stewart responds that it is too early yet to find out what happened across the subdivision.

Councillor Jackson inquires if there is a sewer backup and flooding, and nobody's fault due to an extraordinary storm, does that exonerate the city? To which Rinaldo replies that they have not made a determination as yet, as they do not have enough information.

Mayor DiIanni says a report to investigate the above issues will be forthcoming from Public Works.

Councillor McHattie asks Stewart if they have maps of sub watersheds, as advocated by Environment Canada. Stewart replies that it's been started but is nowhere near done. McHattie notes that Environment Canada recommends less than 15% impervious surface (porous pavement in both roads and parking lots so rain soaks in rather than runs off) and suggests that imposing this condition on applications for new development would be a way forward and that we have to "look at every aspect of land use development."

Councillor Bruckler wonders if intensification creating more impervious conditions could be also adding to the problems of flooding.

McCarthy asks "Do we keep a record of the status of the condition of sewers and check- off when we have cleaned them?" Stewart responds that yes, they do.

Councillor Kelly explains that his concern is the frequency of the flooding and states that this is not the first time of flooding for some.

Councillor Bratina inquires if the underpasses are monitored such as those at Barton Street before Centennial, the Centennial and the Kenilworth. Stewart explains that these road closures are made through on site decisions and that needs to change. They are all areas of concern and mentions a task force working on this.

Bratina continues, asking about the underpass of the Red Hill Creek Parkway flooding, beneath the railroad bridge which is just as low as the other underpasses, and says that "he is concerned about cars traveling at highway speed down that hill".

Chris Murray intimates that there is no problem with flooding in Red Hill at the underpass because "we have 3 detention facilities (ponds further up the valley), Dartnall (Road), in the valley (behind Rosedale Arena), and Davis (Creek, just before it goes under Mount Albion). Murray, referring to sediment from this flooding ending up in the Windermere Basin, admits that they have to "deal with the erosion issues at Red Hill Creek" and "what we're seeing is through reconstruction a substantial drop in what is ending up in the (Windermere) Basin."

Bratina asks about the procedure in reporting a problem with flooding. Jim Harnum answers the residents should call the City and they would be advised by the City how long the response will take. If they don't want to wait, they have the option to phone a contractor themselves. Bratina questions whether the 2 contractors could handle the volume of calls. Harnum : There's a report responding to these issues coming out at a meeting of Public Works on September 19.

Councillor Collins : "Re equal liability issues. Where are we bound to be legally liable .. does not want a situation of neighbourhood vs neighbourhood. Glen Peace : Our intent is to examine each one on an individual basis and report back to council the findings."

Collins says he is looking for criteria. Mayor DiIanni inserts that it will be for council to decide with a Risk Management Assessment.

Councillor Braden : "If we have an amount of rain like that again and lost power, what happens to the water and the sewage plant?" Stewart : "We need 12 megawatts of backup power - currently have 3.5 - 6 . leaving a gap of 7 megawatts just on the backup power. If they were out for any substantial period, they fall 5 megawatts short of what they would need. We have 23 uncontrolled outfalls and would open the gates and discharge untreated sewage in the harbour."

Councillor McCarthy : Would we have had a bypass in this event? Jim Harnum : There would be one or two bypasses per year. We can't build a tank big enough. once all 12 CSO tanks (combined sewer overflow) are built they will mitigate the amount of bypasses."

Councillor Mitchell : "How do we categorize that .as I speak there are developments filling in storm water management ponds . to build houses." Stewart : "They (ponds) will continue. There's no standard for development. As we deal with the minor and major overland flows, there's an aspect of what's the impact of new development. A lot of the retention ponds should hold the water until the storm passes. Then it will get released at a controlled rate in the sewers."

McCarthy questions how the City deals with the claims for compensation and is there a history to tell us how. Rinaldo informs her that independent adjusters make these determinations and have been doing so for a number of years. She then asks Rinaldo if there are Terms of Reference or a median. Rinaldo says they do "have criteria that they follow that deals with many issues and not a pre-determined formula. Every claim is different."

The motion was called some further discussion took place.

Meeting adjourned at 12:10 p.m.

Notes from official minutes of meeting:

MOTION (from official minutes )
(Merulla / Whitehead )
1. Disaster Relief Assistance (Item 7.1)

Whereas, the Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program (ODRAP) provides financial assistance to municipalities that sustain public damages as a result of a natural disaster;

And, Whereas, the residents of the City of Hamilton on August 19 th , 2005 experienced severe flooding which had a significant impact on many properties within the City;

And Whereas the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing has committed to providing communities with the tools needed to grow safe, strong and livable;

Therefore, Be it Resolved, that the Mayor be authorized to correspond with the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to declare the affected areas within the City of Hamilton a "disaster area" for the purposes of the Ontario Disaster Relief Assistant Program to assist residents with costs associated and not covered by their own insurer including cleanup, essential furnishings, repairs or replacement to pre-flooding condition of a residence or business enterprise etc.

And further, should the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing declare a disaster, that council immediately as required by ODRAP appoint members to a Disaster Relief Committee to administer the claims made under ODRAP.

2. Establishing an Independent Community Panel (Item 7.2)

Whereas, the City of Hamilton operates and maintains 965 km of storm sewers,

And Whereas, the City of Hamilton has an established storm, water and wastewater Integrated Master Plan,

And Whereas, the City of Hamilton is, as part of the GRIDS process, completing a review of our storm and water and wastewater Master Plans.

And Whereas, when runoff occurs at a rate or volume exceeding the capacity of the facilities that will convey and discharge the flow, it can create serious problems.

Whereas, it is the purpose of drainage and flood control to minimize public and private losses due to flooding by having standards in place

Whereas, often times, homeowners' insurance policies may not typically cover damage to buildings or contents damaged by flooding.

Whereas, residents in the community have been affected on several occasions with property damage and loss in the hundreds of thousands

Therefore, Be it Resolved:

(a) That an Independent Community Panel be established to work with staff for the following:

(i) to address cause and effect of inclement weather on the storm management/drainage systems in the City of Hamilton;

(ii) to establish a communication strategy to assist in educating the general public on issues concerning risk management, compensation, etc.

(iii) to review the City of Hamilton stormwater master plan

(iv) to review and consult with the insurance industry

(b) That the Community Panel consist of Five members chosen from the following sectors:

(i) Experts from the community in storm management

(ii) Experts from the insurance industry

(iii) Experts from climatology

(iv) Experts from wastewater management

(v) Experts from other related fields as required

(c) That City staff provide assistance to the Community Panel on an as required basi s;

(d) That the Independent Community Panel report through the Public Works, Infrastructure and Environment Committee to Council.

(e) Issues addressed by council included :

- amount of rainfall - impact - 50/100 year events

- impact of the Linc on the storm sewer system - staff will investigate

- mapping of watersheds

- applications of new subdivision developments - conditions to minimize the porous surfaces of subdivisions - staff to explore this initiative

- Grand River - what is Grand River Conservation doing to allow infiltration to occur - staff currently working with Grand River

- affects of climatic changes

- comparison of our municipalities' system with others - staff will provide statistics

- record of cleanup of catch basins

- utilization of return stop valves in individual homes

- communication plan for disseminating information to residents

- increase in lake temperature - impacts - staff to investigate

- roads and underpasses - are they being monitored and are there solutions in progress? - staff closing roads early to prevent citizens from getting trapped in underpass

- legal liability issues - city's ownership

- criteria for funding claims

(f) The following item was referred to the Corporate Administration Committee for consideration:

Allocation - Emergency Fund

That the Emergency Fund be allocated to members of Council to assist in updating residents on the August 19 th Storm.

Staff will report back on a communication strategy.

(g) Staff report

Staff will include in future report cost implications of funding all claims submitted to the city as a direct result of the storm including deductibles and those who are uninsured.