Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Miller Residents Ask for Help to Thwart MHS Toddler Move

FYI
-----Original Message-----
From: John J. Goggin
To: 'Charlessands'
Cc: jefmgmtserv
Sent: Wed, Oct 10, 2012 6:55 am
Subject: Marin Horizon School
Dear Charles:
I used to be on your mailing list when I lived in Homestead Valley.
I then moved down to Miller Ave. and asked you to remove me from the list, which you did.
Thank you.
Now I’ve just learned that MHS is planning on moving their toddlers to an old home that is right next door to my home. In fact the fence is literally three feet away from my property.
They even plan on setting up a playground right next to my bedroom.
There are ten residents on our property and all of us will be affected by the noise from sun up to sun down, and then there’s the traffic to consider.
Here’s the link to the article in the Patch:
http://millvalley.patch.com/articles/marin-horizon-school-aims-to-move-toddler-program-to-miller-ave 
There’s a city council meeting regarding this matter on the 22nd.
Would you be willing to put something out to your mailing list regarding the meeting?
Perhaps some of the people that are still upset about what happened in Homestead Valley will be willing to show up at the meeting to support us.
We’re going to need all of the help that we can get as the city council seems to talking about this as a done deal.
Thank you for any help that you may provide,
John J. Goggin
251 Miller Ave.

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Re: 205 Melrose

Begin forwarded message:

From: Charles Sands <charlessands@aol.com>
Date: July 28, 2012 1:36:32 AM PDT
To: cbirkie
Subject: Re: 205 Melrose

Connie please see my reply to your below friendly compliments in  Mari's HEARUS POST.
-----Original Message-----
From: Constance Birkie
To: 'Charles Sands' <charlessands@aol.com>; sgreeley <sgreeley@co.marin.ca.us>
Cc: Tlai <Tlai@co.marin.ca.us>; krice <krice@co.marin.ca.us>; ksears <ksears@co.marin.ca.us>; sadams <sadams@co.marin.ca.us>; jarnold <jarnold@co.marin.ca.us>; skinsey <skinsey@co.marin.ca.us>
Sent: Thu, Jul 26, 2012 11:16 am
Subject: RE: 205 Melrose

Charlie
                Take me off your Email list.  I do not want to hear anything from you about anything.
Your mean-spirited and tenacious nastiness poisons everything you do.  You have no credibility as an informed and honest individual.  Beyond the fact that I don’t care what you have to say,  I now disregard all you have to say as negative and not valid.   …..No street creds,  Charlie!
                You are an outdated,  cranky old fossil.   Constance Birkie

From: Charles Sands [mailto:charlessands@aol.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2012 9:37 PM
To: sgreeley@co.marin.ca.us
Cc: Tlai@co.marin.ca.us; krice@co.marin.ca.us; ksears@co.marin.ca.us; sadams@co.marin.ca.us; jarnold@co.marin.ca.us; skinsey@co.marin.ca.us
Subject: 205 Melrose

Scott,

I'm sure that most if not all Hometead Valley and Marin Horizon School folks appreciate the CDA's recent 205 Melrose Design Review conditions of approval that the fence at Merose and  Montford not exceed 2'-6" as this will ensure good driver visibilty at this busy intersection.

Thanks,

Charles Sands
charlessands@aol.com

Friday, July 27, 2012

To: Constance Birkie

From: Charles Sands Date: July 27, 2012 10:25:52 PM PDT

Ms Birkie,

Sure nice to read your below email citing what you believe .

 However I believe an at ADA compliant at grade pervious 4'-0" asphalt pathway WITHOUT a 6" high concrete curb, a raise impervious concrete sidewalk,  ADA ramps with domed  ADA warning mats, 29 driveway curb and steps or steep ramps down to front entry walks lower than new sidewalk would have been a lot better.

And I suppose the folks on the South side of Evergreen Ave. who now have to step down from MHS' raised sidewalk to their at grade entry walkway and have to drive up, across and down MHS' raised sidewalk are not happy but will simply "Grinn and Barette" as human beings do when faced with a lousy deal.

As for the new sidewalk "greatly improving the "serious drainage problem" of dumping roadway pollutants into Reed Creek I suggest you take a look at the unfiltered new street drain at Melrose Ave. a Reed Creek and the 2 new unfiltered storm water concrete pipes that dump new volumes of  polluted storm water runoff directly into the Ethel Ave. drainage ditch then Reed Creek,

I prefer a pervious asphalt pathway rather than an impervious concrete pathway because it absorbs storm water and paving  the  existing gravel paved on-street parking strip with  pervious asphalt  not impervious asphalt as the County will do for the same reason.

Marin County Stream Keepers and S.P.A.W.N. (endangered salmon protection groups) prefer   pervious asphalt  paving for the same reason.

A 14 day Oct. 2011 traffic count on Evergreen Ave. showed that MHS traffic to  have increased local traffic on Evergreen Ave. more than 100% since 2005 between 8:00 and 9:00 AM. endangering the safety of MHS children walking to school

Unlike MHS drivers I avoid driving up or down Evergreen Ave. as respect residential neighborhoods.

As an architect urban designer, after 2 years of daily reading folk's pro and con sidewalk  venting, rants, name calling emails I still have no concept or idea of what the 29 folks directly effected by the sidewalk in front of their homes would have liked to see happen on Evergreen Ave.

What if they didn't want a sidewalk. Well maybe MHS should have bought a $60,000 9 passenger SUV to shuttle fewer than 20 communing children to school from MHS' Whole Foods park and walk parking lot.

I offered 2 alternative design concepts for consideration by email and on HEARUS which received no pro or con comments. I'm not bothered by that.

1)was to make Evergreen one way west with a: 12' travel lane; 4'-0" bike lane; 8'-0" parking lanes paved with pervious asphalt or gravel and;9'-0" landscaped tree lined pedestrian strip on each side with an at grade (not a raised sidewalk with ADA ramps, curb cuts requiring new steps down to existing entry walks) pervious 4'0" ADA compliant pathway as at Muir Woods National Park.
2)An at grade (not a raised sidewalk with ADA ramps, curb cuts requiring new steps down to existing entry walks)pervious 4'0" ADA compliant pathway as at Muir Woods National Park.

Frankly it is not the role of an architect urban designer to do other than pose design concepts for a neighborhood for it to accept or reject. And acceptance or rejection of a posed design concept is of no importance as its part of the process of to assist a neighborhood in coming to terms with an developing its own unique design concept.

Only Keith proposed an alternative which  also included a bike way.

Why was that ?  Well as Mari has written the process was flawed. Normally neighborhood folks are brought together at in neighborhood work shops to meet. discuss and decide what they want or don't want. It didn't happen. Why is anyone's guess.

After all to have or not have a sidewalk is and should have been decided by the effected/impacted folks and not by folks who aren't effected/impacted by MHS' sidewalk. It didn't happen.

 At the Nov. 2011 Mill Valley Recreation Center MHS' sidewalk meeting the folks were promised the opportunity to vote pro or con MHS' sidewalk  their elected representative v

I've not received one email or comment on HEARUS from a parent or parents of Park School, MV Middle School or Tamalpais High School voicing a pro or con sidewalk opinion.

Why is that ?? After all the MHS' sidewalk SR2S application for $900,000 were granted based on MHS citing support from the Mill Valley School District.

Perhaps very few if any Park School, MV Middle School or Tamalpais High School parents were or are concerned for the safety of their children walking to school or maybe its simply too far to walk so they bike or go by vehicle. Who knows ? No one asked.

I am surprised by the seeming inability of soma folks to describe an idea, concept pro or con a sidewalk objectively so they stoop down to an uncivil, impolite, gutter level to express their pent up anger and perhaps frustration resorting to derogatory name calling and even implied threats of physical violence.

Of all my professional career experiences in designing and building AIA national award winning urban renewal developments, new towns and planned unit developments these past two years have been a classic example in how not to bring a neighborhood together in order that the neighborhoods decides for its self what it wants.
 Charles Sands
charlessands@aol.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Constance Birkie <cbirkie@comcast.net>
To: 'Charles Sands' <charlessands@aol.com>
Sent: Thu, Jul 26, 2012 11:23 am
Subject: FW: Request to be removed from 94941 email list serve



From: Constance Birkie [mailto:cbirkie@comcast.net]
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2012 10:40 AM
To: 'Kimberly Hughes'; 'Hannelore Barnes'; 'HV 94941'
Cc: 'undisclosed
Subject: RE: Request to be removed from 94941 email list serve

Take me off the Email list.   I have had enough of this angry and hateful and baseless trash.
The sidewalk is a safe and handsome improvement to Evergreen.    Already walkers, dog walkers,  baby strollers,  groups of children, handicapped wheelers,  are using the finished parts of it.  It is a fine enhancement to the neighborhood regardless of the school.  I like the school and appreciate the wonderful improvements they have made to that blighted site.  I enjoy taking my grandchildren up to play in the school yard.  During the school year,  I like to see groups of children walking in the morning and afternoon. (Note that during the midday the foot traffic on Evergreen of  residents and visitors/hikers is continual and heavy.)   I also understand that nearly all parents of young children are driving them to school,  and that since young children need safety car seats,  many young families need SUVs.  (Note the traffic around Old Mill,  Park, and Edna Maguire Schools during arrival and departure times.)
                More than 20 years ago I researched and wrote the grant from the State Department of Urban Streams Renewal to improve the drainage to the meadow  and make it useful for the Community Center and School.  I worked closely with the State Department of Fish and Game to make sure we were doing the right thing.  The issue of harming the salmon  in Reed Creek is totally fallacious.  The new construction for the sidewalk has greatly improved several serious drainage problems of dump during heavy rainfall of exotics such as rubber and oil from the road directly into Reed Creek.
                Charlie Sands,   you live on upper North Ferndale.  Stay off of Evergreen.  Stay off of Montford and away from the school.  Go down La Vern.  We don’t need you and your extra traffic speeding down our street.     Constance Birkie,  ___ Evergreen.

to : Ms. Birke

Begin forwarded message:

From: Charles Sands 
Date: July 27, 2012 10:25:52 PM PDT

Subject: Fwd: Request to be removed from 94941 email list serve


Ms Birkie,
 
Sure nice to read your below email citing what you believe .
 
 However I believe an at ADA compliant at grade pervious 4'-0" asphalt pathway WITHOUT a 6" high concrete curb, a raise impervious concrete sidewalk,  ADA ramps with domed  ADA warning mats, 29 driveway curb and steps or steep ramps down to front entry walks lower than new sidewalk would have been a lot better.
 
And I suppose the folks on the South side of Evergreen Ave. who now have to step down from MHS' raised sidewalk to their at grade entry walkway and have to drive up, across and down MHS' raised sidewalk are not happy but will simply "Grinn and Barette" as human beings do when faced with a lousy deal.
 
As for the new sidewalk "greatly improving the "serious drainage problem" of dumping roadway pollutants into Reed Creek I suggest you take a look at the unfiltered new street drain at Melrose Ave. a Reed Creek and the 2 new unfiltered storm water concrete pipes that dump new volumes of  polluted storm water runoff directly into the Ethel Ave. drainage ditch then Reed Creek,
 
I prefer a pervious asphalt pathway rather than an impervious concrete pathway because it absorbs storm water and paving  the  existing gravel paved on-street parking strip with  pervious asphalt  not impervious asphalt as the County will do for the same reason.
 
Marin County Stream Keepers and S.P.A.W.N. (endangered salmon protection groups) prefer   pervious asphalt  paving for the same reason.
 
A 14 day Oct. 2011 traffic count on Evergreen Ave. showed that MHS traffic to  have increased local traffic on Evergreen Ave. more than 100% since 2005 between 8:00 and 9:00 AM. endangering the safety of MHS children walking to school
 
Unlike MHS drivers I avoid driving up or down Evergreen Ave. as respect residential neighborhoods.
 
As an architect urban designer, after 2 years of daily reading folk's pro and con sidewalk  venting, rants, name calling emails I still have no concept or idea of what the 29 folks directly effected by the sidewalk in front of their homes would have liked to see happen on Evergreen Ave.
 
What if they didn't want a sidewalk. Well maybe MHS should have bought a $60,000 9 passenger SUV to shuttle fewer than 20 communing children to school from MHS' Whole Foods park and walk parking lot.
 
I offered 2 alternative design concepts for consideration by email and on HEARUS which received no pro or con comments. I'm not bothered by that.
 
1)was to make Evergreen one way west with a: 12' travel lane; 4'-0" bike lane; 8'-0" parking lanes paved with pervious asphalt or gravel and;9'-0" landscaped tree lined pedestrian strip on each side with an at grade (not a raised sidewalk with ADA ramps, curb cuts requiring new steps down to existing entry walks) pervious 4'0" ADA compliant pathway as at Muir Woods National Park.
2)An at grade (not a raised sidewalk with ADA ramps, curb cuts requiring new steps down to existing entry walks)pervious 4'0" ADA compliant pathway as at Muir Woods National Park.
 
Frankly it is not the role of an architect urban designe to do other than pose design concepts for a neighborhood for it to accept or reject. And acceptance or rejection of a posed design concept is of no importance as its part of the process of to assist a neighborhood in coming to terms with an developing its own unique design concept.
 
Only Keith proposed an alternative which  also included a bike way.
 
Why was that ?  Well as Mari has written the process was flawed. Normally neighborhood folks are brought together at in neighborhood work shops to meet. discuss and decide what they want or don't want. It didn't happen. Why is anyone's guess.
 
After all to have or not have a sidewalk is and should have been decided by the effected/impacted folks and not by folks who aren't effected/impacted by MHS' sidewalk. It didn't happen.
 
 At the Nov. 2011 Mill Valley Recreation Center MHS' sidewalk meeting the folks were promised the opportunity to vote pro or con MHS' sidewalk  their elected representative v 
 
I've not received one email or comment on HEARUS from a parent or parents of Park School, MV Middle School or Tamalpais High School voicing a pro or con sidewalk opinion.
 
Why is that ?? After all the MHS' sidewalk SR2S application for $900,000 were granted based on MHS citing support from the Mill  Valley School District.
 
Perhaps very few if any Park School, MV Middle School or Tamalpais High School parents were or are concerned for the safety of their children walking to school or maybe its simply to far to walk so they bike or go by vehicle. Who knows ? No one asked.
 
 
I am surprised by the seeming inability of soma folks to describe an idea, concept pro or con a sidewalk objectively so they stoop down to an uncivil, impolite, gutter level to express their pent up anger and perhaps frustration resorting to derogatory name calling and even implied threats of physical violence.
 
Of all my professional career experiences in designing and building AIA national award winning urban renewal developments, new towns and planned unit developments these past two years have been a classic example in how not to bring a neighborhood together in order that the neighborhoods decides for its self what it wants.
 
 
 
 
Charles Sands
charlessands@aol.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Constance Birkie <cbirkie@comcast.net>
To: 'Charles Sands' <charlessands@aol.com>
Sent: Thu, Jul 26, 2012 11:23 am
Subject: FW: Request to be removed from 94941 email list serve

 
 
From: Constance Birkie [mailto:cbirkie@comcast.net]
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2012 10:40 AM
To: 'Kimberly Hughes'; 'Hannelore Barnes'; 'HV 94941'
Cc: 'Robert Cogswell'; 'ScottSchneider'; 'krice@co.marin.ca.us'; 'ksears@co.marin.ca.us'; 'sadams@co.marin.ca.us'; 'jarnold@co.marin.ca.us'; 'skinsey@co.marin.ca.us'; 'Brian Spring'; 'dylan simonds'; 'Keith Garriott'; 'ErnestKlock'; 'BobBeaumont'; 'AnthonyLum'; 'bdrlpk@sonic.net'; 'brianarose2@comcast.net'; 'Chuck Oldenburg'; 'Dan Brousseau'; 'Diane Ellsworth'; 'dmamura@comcast.net'; 'drummond@tides.org'; 'Frank Lurz'; 'Gail Taras'; 'Jaime Muniz'; 'Pappa Dessle'; 'Les Lizama'; 'mcrolden@aol.com'; 'Renee Glazier'; 'rick stern'; 'stoddardnh@comcast.net'; 'symba@prodigy.net'; 'Tomas Dessle'; 'Karlyn Ward'; 'II II II'; 'Winston Albert'; 'Wendi Kallins'; 'rick montalvan'; 'madroneparkcircle@yahoogroups.com'; 'hvbeat@googlegroups.com'; 'hearus@googlegroups.com'; 'freespirittours@sbcglobal.net'; 'pwegeforth@yahoo.com'; 'salvador@giblas.com'; 'jm1st@earthlink.net'; 'Sandy Waks'; 'Ray Cook'; 'tracey_ohare@hotmail.com'; 'tstanding@softraid.com'; 'tegesq@aol.com'; 'sarina511@yahoo.com'; 'greg.j.lehman@gmail.com'; 'asbo@msn.com'; 'Kimberly Jessup'; 'michaelmooney@yahoo.com'; 'lerichter@hotmail.com'; 'info@homesteadvalley.org'; 'David Ross'; 'Jim Welte'; 'roberthunn@hospitalsafety.biz'; 'wyraga4@att.net'; 'nduzgunes@pacific.edu'; 'mukul.bahatti@yahoo.com'; 'Daniel Brousseau'; 'mm03246@gmail.com'; 'Doug Gelbach'; 'marie porti'; 'alwuthnow@gmail.com'; 'Kristin Cann'; 'Trigg McLeod'; 'Merrill Hunn'; 'duncandrechsel@yahoo.com'; 'Graham/Maverick Graham'; 'cjoerger@gmail.com'; 'Luis Ottley'; 'laura@marinbike.org'; 'wendi@marinbike.org'; 'andy@marinbike.org'; 'Lynn Frazier'; 'Terry Nevin'; 'bernalites'; 'Paul'
Subject: RE: Request to be removed from 94941 email list serve
 
Take me off the Email list.   I have had enough of this angry and hateful and baseless trash.
The sidewalk is a safe and handsome improvement to Evergreen.    Already walkers, dog walkers,  baby strollers,  groups of children, handicapped wheelers,  are using the finished parts of it.  It is a fine enhancement to the neighborhood regardless of the school.  I like the school and appreciate the wonderful improvements they have made to that blighted site.  I enjoy taking my grandchildren up to play in the school yard.  During the school year,  I like to see groups of children walking in the morning and afternoon. (Note that during the midday the foot traffic on Evergreen of  residents and visitors/hikers is continual and heavy.)   I also understand that nearly all parents of young children are driving them to school,  and that since young children need safety car seats,  many young families need SUVs.  (Note the traffic around Old Mill,  Park, and Edna Maguire Schools during arrival and departure times.)
                More than 20 years ago I researched and wrote the grant from the State Department of Urban Streams Renewal to improve the drainage to the meadow  and make it useful for the Community Center and School.  I worked closely with the State Department of Fish and Game to make sure we were doing the right thing.  The issue of harming the salmon  in Reed Creek is totally fallacious.  The new construction for the sidewalk has greatly improved several serious drainage problems of dump during heavy rainfall of exotics such as rubber and oil from the road directly into Reed Creek.
                Charlie Sands,   you live on upper North Ferndale.  Stay off of Evergreen.  Stay off of Montford and away from the school.  Go down La Vern.  We don't need you and your extra traffic speeding down our street.     Constance Birkie,  254 Evergreen.
 
From: Kimberly Hughes [mailto:kimberlymh@earthlink.net]
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2012 7:52 AM
To: Hannelore Barnes; HV 94941
Cc: Robert Cogswell; ScottSchneider; krice@co.marin.ca.us; ksears@co.marin.ca.us; sadams@co.marin.ca.us; jarnold@co.marin.ca.us; skinsey@co.marin.ca.us; Brian Spring; dylan simonds; Keith Garriott; ErnestKlock; BobBeaumont; AnthonyLum; bdrlpk@sonic.net; brianarose2@comcast.net; Chuck Oldenburg; Dan Brousseau; Diane Ellsworth; dmamura@comcast.net; drummond@tides.org; Frank Lurz; Gail Taras; Jaime Muniz; Pappa Dessle; Les Lizama; mcrolden@aol.com; Renee Glazier; rick stern; stoddardnh@comcast.net; symba@prodigy.net; Tomas Dessle; Karlyn Ward; II II II; Winston Albert; Wendi Kallins; rick montalvan; madroneparkcircle@yahoogroups.com; hvbeat@googlegroups.com; hearus@googlegroups.com; freespirittours@sbcglobal.net; pwegeforth@yahoo.com; salvador@giblas.com; jm1st@earthlink.net; Sandy Waks; Ray Cook; tracey_ohare@hotmail.com; tstanding@softraid.com; tegesq@aol.com; sarina511@yahoo.com; greg.j.lehman@gmail.com; asbo@msn.com; Constance Birkie; Kimberly Jessup; michaelmooney@yahoo.com; lerichter@hotmail.com; info@homesteadvalley.org; David Ross; Jim Welte; roberthunn@hospitalsafety.biz; wyraga4@att.net; nduzgunes@pacific.edu; mukul.bahatti@yahoo.com; Daniel Brousseau; mm03246@gmail.com; Doug Gelbach; marie porti; alwuthnow@gmail.com; Kristin Cann; Trigg McLeod; Merrill Hunn; duncandrechsel@yahoo.com; Graham/Maverick Graham; cjoerger@gmail.com; Luis Ottley; laura@marinbike.org; wendi@marinbike.org; andy@marinbike.org; Lynn Frazier; Terry Nevin; Kimberly Hughes; bernalites; Paul
Subject: Re: Request to be removed from 94941 email list serve
 

Dear Hanne,
 
Thank you for your thoughtful and articulate email. 
I couldn't agree more... 
Finally there's a safe place to walk, away from speeding traffic.
 
To suggest the sidewalk only benefits families with MHS students is absurd... 
While nothing comes without pros and cons, this is a nice start to a safer "leave-your-car-at-home" avenue.
 
Cheers,
Kimberly Hughes
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Hannelore Barnes
Sent: Jul 25, 2012 12:27 PM
To: HV 94941
Cc: Robert Cogswell , ScottSchneider , krice@co.marin.ca.us, ksears@co.marin.ca.us, sadams@co.marin.ca.us, jarnold@co.marin.ca.us, skinsey@co.marin.ca.us, Brian Spring , dylan simonds , Keith Garriott , ErnestKlock , BobBeaumont , AnthonyLum , bdrlpk@sonic.net, brianarose2@comcast.net, Chuck Oldenburg , Dan Brousseau , Diane Ellsworth , dmamura@comcast.net, drummond@tides.org, Frank Lurz , Gail Taras , Jaime Muniz , Pappa Dessle , Les Lizama , mcrolden@aol.com, Renee Glazier , rick stern , stoddardnh@comcast.net, symba@prodigy.net, Tomas Dessle , Karlyn Ward , II II II , Winston Albert , Wendi Kallins , rick montalvan , madroneparkcircle@yahoogroups.com, hvbeat@googlegroups.com, hearus@googlegroups.com, freespirittours@sbcglobal.net, pwegeforth@yahoo.com, salvador@giblas.com, jm1st@earthlink.net, Sandy Waks , Ray Cook , tracey_ohare@hotmail.com, tstanding@softraid.com, tegesq@aol.com, sarina511@yahoo.com, greg.j.lehman@gmail.com, asbo@msn.com, Constance Birkie , Kimberly Jessup , michaelmooney@yahoo.com, lerichter@hotmail.com, info@homesteadvalley.org, David Ross , Jim Welte , roberthunn@hospitalsafety.biz, wyraga4@att.net, nduzgunes@pacific.edu, mukul.bahatti@yahoo.com, Daniel Brousseau , mm03246@gmail.com, Doug Gelbach , marie porti , alwuthnow@gmail.com, Kristin Cann , Trigg McLeod , Merrill Hunn , duncandrechsel@yahoo.com, Graham/Maverick Graham , cjoerger@gmail.com, Luis Ottley , laura@marinbike.org, wendi@marinbike.org, andy@marinbike.org, Lynn Frazier , Terry Nevin , Kimberly Hughes , bernalites , Paul
Subject: Request to be removed from 94941 email list serve

Mari,
 
Please remove my address from your email list.  
 
While I am pleased to see problem areas like the Ethel corner and the Volunteer Park areas being addressed, revisions are to be expected and have in no way changed my opinion that the sidewalk is a wonderful thing for the neighborhood.  With the exception of 5 people, everyone I personally know in HV is elated to see it installed and working its way up the street.  And the proof is how many people, especially non MHS people, are using it who I have never seen walking on Evergreen before it was installed.  
 
I think you would far better serve your community by focussing your energy on the Miller Streetscape project now and the effects it will have on all ingress and egress points to HV from Miller.
 
Thank you, Hanne
 
  
On Jul 25, 2012, at 11:53 AM, HV 94941 wrote:
 
Petition up to 208 and growing.
 
 
Homestead Valley Post
415.779.4941
 
 
 
 


 
On Jun 22, 2012, at 11:50 AM, Robert Cogswell wrote:
 
As someone who has experienced flooding issues many, many times when I had my business behind Goodman's, I must disagree that the sump pump is a workable solution. In fact, it is further from a workable solution than is responsible to impose on a property owner. Sump pumps only work in the presence of electrical power. The most likely times to be without electric power are also (surprise, surprise!) the times it is most likely that there will be high flood probability, i.e. storm conditions with high rainfall. So, the ONLY solution in this case is a passive system that requires no electro/mechanical component to work. It dosn't take an engineer to know this; any of us who has seen normal extremes of weather will know what I mean. And, Brian, notwithstanding your confidence in the county's staff, your discalimer:
"as best as conditions will allow.", is not sufficient. Those conditions are CAUSED by county tampering, not existing conditions.
To return to my experience, my business property was in the flood plain, I had 2 electric sump pumps at low points inside my structure, and, until the inevitable electricity failures, they worked well to keep flooding inside my structure from rising to the water level outside. I learned to put anything I valued (that I could) up on benches or in the highest places available when heavy storms were forecast because (guess what?!), the electricity ALWAYS failed at least once each heavy winter year!
Evergreen Ave. residents, my heart bleeds for you. The county has drunk the MHS koolaide and we will be the worse for it.
 

From: Brian Spring <bkspring@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Evergreen Sidewalk : Design Error being poured in Concrete, may need to be torn-up and fixed, after the rains.
To: "Schneider, Scott" <SSchneider@marincounty.org>, krice@co.marin.ca.us, ksears@co.marin.ca.us, sadams@co.marin.ca.us, jarnold@co.marin.ca.us, skinsey@co.marin.ca.us
Cc: dylan@dylansimonds.com, saveevergreenave@gmail.com, "Klock, Ernest" <EKlock@marincounty.org>, "Beaumont, Bob" <BBeaumont@marincounty.org>, "Lum, Anthony" <ALum@marincounty.org>, "HV 94941" <hv94941@gmail.com>, bdrlpk@sonic.net, brianarose2@comcast.net, charlessands@aol.com, chuckoldenburg@gmail.com, dan_brousseau@sbcglobal.net, djellsworth@comcast.net, dmamura@comcast.net, drummond@tides.org, frank@franklurz.com, gailtaras@earthlink.net, jaime@sfsailing.com, jdessle@msn.com, les@homesteadvalley.org, mcrolden@aol.com, rglazier106@earthlink.net, rickstern@pacbell.net, stoddardnh@comcast.net, sunauto@pacbell.net, symba@prodigy.net, toooomas@yahoo.com, wardkm@comcast.net, waynedauphine@gmail.com, winston@180com.com, wkallins@igc.org, montalvanent@gmail.com, madroneparkcircle@yahoogroups.com, hvbeat@googlegroups.com, hearus@googlegroups.com, hanne@hannebarnes.com, freespirittours@sbcglobal.net, pwegeforth@yahoo.com, salvador@giblas.com, jm1st@earthlink.net, waksy@earthlink.net, whoray@sonic.net, tracey_ohare@hotmail.com, tstanding@softraid.com, tegesq@aol.com, sarina511@yahoo.com, greg.j.lehman@gmail.com, asbo@msn.com, "Constance Birkie" <cbirkie@comcast.net>, jessupinc@aol.com, michaelmooney@yahoo.com, "Mari Tamburo" <drive@avehicleforchange.org>, lerichter@hotmail.com, info@homesteadvalley.org, david@homesteadvalley.org, "Jim Welte" <jimw@patch.com>, roberthunn@hospitalsafety.biz, wyraga4@att.net, nduzgunes@pacific.edu, mukul.bahatti@yahoo.com, daniel7245@gmail.com, mm03246@gmail.com, "Doug Gelbach" <dgelbach@sbcglobal.net>, porti_evergreen@hotmail.com, alwuthnow@gmail.com, kristincann@hotmail.com, findtrigg@gmail.com, merhunn@sbcglobal.net, duncandrechsel@yahoo.com, himaverick@comcast.net, cjoerger@gmail.com, lottley@marinhorizon.org, laura@marinbike.org, wendi@marinbike.org, andy@marinbike.org, "Lynn Frazier" <lafrazier@comcast.net>, "Terry Nevin" <terrynevin@yahoo.com>, "Kimberly Hughes" <kimberlymh@earthlink.net>, "bernalites" <bernalites@me.com>, "Paul" <virtualy@earthlink.net>
Date: Friday, June 22, 2012, 10:39 AM
HI Scott, Thanks for your reply

I appreciate your efforts, and the difficulty of having to deal with construction problems, "found conditions" and scheduling restrictions.    I am sure that the revised plan will adequately deal with the drainage issues, as best as conditions will allow.

I do lament the loss of an elegant solution to the thorny drainage issue.   Having a catch basin, and storm drain was a solution that very adequately addressed the problem, in a modern, civilized manner.   The only solution now available to you, sump-pumping water up and into the gutter, is a viable alternative.   A storm drain presented a better solution, because the water would be able to drain by gravity, a better alternative than relying on electric sump pumps.

Again, thanks to you and Anthony for your efforts.

best,
Brian Spring
cell:  415 497-2880
email:  bkspring@gmail.com
 
On Fri, Jun 22, 2012 at 9:21 AM, Schneider, Scott <SSchneider@marincounty.org> wrote:
Mr. Spring,
The County is confident that the new curb and gutter will have sufficient capacity to handle the 25-year storm flows.  The piped drainage system was proposed to deal with water ponding on Mr. Reck's property.  We are working with Mr. Reck on alternative solutions to the ponding issue.
 
Scott
 
 
 
 
<image001.jpg>
.   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .
 
Scott Schneider, P.E.
ASSOCIATE CIVIL ENGINEER

County of Marin
Department of Public Works
3501 Civic Center Drive, Suite 404
San Rafael, CA 94903
415 473-4362 T
415 473-3724 F
CRS Dial 711

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
 
From: Brian Spring [mailto:bkspring@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, June 21, 2012 12:52 PM
To: Rice, Katie; Sears, Kathrin; Adams, Susan; Arnold, Judy; Kinsey, Steven
Cc: Schneider, Scott; Beaumont, Bob
Subject: Evergreen Sidewalk : Design Error being poured in Concrete, may need to be torn-up and fixed, after the rains.
 
Hi All

At the community construction meeting on June 7th, i, as a civil/structural engineer, was particularly interested to see how the designer solved the drainage problem between Linden and Ethel.   The designer had a catch-basin in front of Paul and Nancey's house (125 Evergreen), which connected to a new storm-drain, which drained to the Ethel street culvert.    I considered that an adequate solution, and had voiced that opinion previously.   Thus, i voiced support for the project.

I found out this morning that, due to conflicts with water and gas lines, the catch basin and storm drain had been eliminated from the project.    The proper solution to a very real problem has been eliminated.    The engineer on site, Anthony, told me that the street-gutter will be adequate.   I am sure is will be adequate for normal rainfalls.   I am also sure that Paul and Nancey's property will bear the burden when we get the heavy deluges, which we regularly get here during the winter storms.   

The contractor is installing the sidewalk, curb and gutter, without installing the catch-basin and storm drain.    This will result in quite a cost savings now, perhaps $10,000.   However, i have seen more than one project, altered during construction, which became a problem.   The jurisdiction later needs to revist the design decision, and correct the error, spending non-budgeted monies at a later time.

I believe this is a serious error in judgement at this time, done in order to expediate the project, and stay on schedule.   We, the tax payers, will probably be footing an additional larger bill (say about $100,000), when the known problem needs to be remedied, by installing the catch-basin and storm drain, as designed.

I am not in favor of building a flaw into a relatively well designed project.   If the error is not resolved now, the residents of the valley will live with it forever.

thanks for your time,
Brian Spring
cell:  415 497-2880
email:  bkspring@gmail.com
 
 
 
 

Open Letter to Constance Birke

From: Charles Sands <charlessands@aol.com>
Date: July 27, 2012 10:25:52 PM PDT

Subject: Fwd: Request to be removed from 94941 email list serve

For publication in reponse to your neighbor at 254 Evergreen  Ave.

Ms Birkie,
 
Sure nice to read your below email citing what you believe .
 
 However I believe an at ADA compliant at grade pervious 4'-0" asphalt pathway WITHOUT a 6" high concrete curb, a raise impervious concrete sidewalk,  ADA ramps with domed  ADA warning mats, 29 driveway curb and steps or steep ramps down to front entry walks lower than new sidewalk would have been a lot better.
 
And I suppose the folks on the South side of Evergreen Ave. who now have to step down from MHS' raised sidewalk to their at grade entry walkway and have to drive up, across and down MHS' raised sidewalk are not happy but will simply "Grinn and Barette" as human beings do when faced with a lousy deal.
 
As for the new sidewalk "greatly improving the "serious drainage problem" of dumping roadway pollutants into Reed Creek I suggest you take a look at the unfiltered new street drain at Melrose Ave. a Reed Creek and the 2 new unfiltered storm water concrete pipes that dump new volumes of  polluted storm water runoff directly into the Ethel Ave. drainage ditch then Reed Creek,
 
I prefer a pervious asphalt pathway rather than an impervious concrete pathway because it absorbs storm water and paving  the  existing gravel paved on-street parking strip with  pervious asphalt  not impervious asphalt as the County will do for the same reason.
 
Marin County Stream Keepers and S.P.A.W.N. (endangered salmon protection groups) prefer   pervious asphalt  paving for the same reason.
 
A 14 day Oct. 2011 traffic count on Evergreen Ave. showed that MHS traffic to  have increased local traffic on Evergreen Ave. more than 100% since 2005 between 8:00 and 9:00 AM. endangering the safety of MHS children walking to school
 
Unlike MHS drivers I avoid driving up or down Evergreen Ave. as respect residential neighborhoods.
 
As an architect urban designer, after 2 years of daily reading folk's pro and con sidewalk  venting, rants, name calling emails I still have no concept or idea of what the 29 folks directly effected by the sidewalk in front of their homes would have liked to see happen on Evergreen Ave.
 
What if they didn't want a sidewalk. Well maybe MHS should have bought a $60,000 9 passenger SUV to shuttle fewer than 20 communing children to school from MHS' Whole Foods park and walk parking lot.
 
I offered 2 alternative design concepts for consideration by email and on HEARUS which received no pro or con comments. I'm not bothered by that.
 
1)was to make Evergreen one way west with a: 12' travel lane; 4'-0" bike lane; 8'-0" parking lanes paved with pervious asphalt or gravel and;9'-0" landscaped tree lined pedestrian strip on each side with an at grade (not a raised sidewalk with ADA ramps, curb cuts requiring new steps down to existing entry walks) pervious 4'0" ADA compliant pathway as at Muir Woods National Park.
2)An at grade (not a raised sidewalk with ADA ramps, curb cuts requiring new steps down to existing entry walks)pervious 4'0" ADA compliant pathway as at Muir Woods National Park.
 
Frankly it is not the role of an architect urban designe to do other than pose design concepts for a neighborhood for it to accept or reject. And acceptance or rejection of a posed design concept is of no importance as its part of the process of to assist a neighborhood in coming to terms with an developing its own unique design concept.
 
Only Keith proposed an alternative which  also included a bike way.
 
Why was that ?  Well as Mari has written the process was flawed. Normally neighborhood folks are brought together at in neighborhood work shops to meet. discuss and decide what they want or don't want. It didn't happen. Why is anyone's guess.
 
After all to have or not have a sidewalk is and should have been decided by the effected/impacted folks and not by folks who aren't effected/impacted by MHS' sidewalk. It didn't happen.
 
 At the Nov. 2011 Mill Valley Recreation Center MHS' sidewalk meeting the folks were promised the opportunity to vote pro or con MHS' sidewalk  their elected representative v 
 
I've not received one email or comment on HEARUS from a parent or parents of Park School, MV Middle School or Tamalpais High School voicing a pro or con sidewalk opinion.
 
Why is that ?? After all the MHS' sidewalk SR2S application for $900,000 were granted based on MHS citing support from the Mill  Valley School District.
 
Perhaps very few if any Park School, MV Middle School or Tamalpais High School parents were or are concerned for the safety of their children walking to school or maybe its simply to far to walk so they bike or go by vehicle. Who knows ? No one asked.
 
 
I am surprised by the seeming inability of soma folks to describe an idea, concept pro or con a sidewalk objectively so they stoop down to an uncivil, impolite, gutter level to express their pent up anger and perhaps frustration resorting to derogatory name calling and even implied threats of physical violence.
 
Of all my professional career experiences in designing and building AIA national award winning urban renewal developments, new towns and planned unit developments these past two years have been a classic example in how not to bring a neighborhood together in order that the neighborhoods decides for its self what it wants.
 
 
 
 
Charles Sands
charlessands@aol.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Constance Birkie <cbirkie@comcast.net>
To: 'Charles Sands' <charlessands@aol.com>
Sent: Thu, Jul 26, 2012 11:23 am
Subject: FW: Request to be removed from 94941 email list serve

 
 
From: Constance Birkie [mailto:cbirkie@comcast.net]
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2012 10:40 AM
To: 'Kimberly Hughes'; 'Hannelore Barnes'; 'HV 94941'
Cc: 'Robert Cogswell'; 'ScottSchneider'; 'krice@co.marin.ca.us'; 'ksears@co.marin.ca.us'; 'sadams@co.marin.ca.us'; 'jarnold@co.marin.ca.us'; 'skinsey@co.marin.ca.us'; 'Brian Spring'; 'dylan simonds'; 'Keith Garriott'; 'ErnestKlock'; 'BobBeaumont'; 'AnthonyLum'; 'bdrlpk@sonic.net'; 'brianarose2@comcast.net'; 'Chuck Oldenburg'; 'Dan Brousseau'; 'Diane Ellsworth'; 'dmamura@comcast.net'; 'drummond@tides.org'; 'Frank Lurz'; 'Gail Taras'; 'Jaime Muniz'; 'Pappa Dessle'; 'Les Lizama'; 'mcrolden@aol.com'; 'Renee Glazier'; 'rick stern'; 'stoddardnh@comcast.net'; 'symba@prodigy.net'; 'Tomas Dessle'; 'Karlyn Ward'; 'II II II'; 'Winston Albert'; 'Wendi Kallins'; 'rick montalvan'; 'madroneparkcircle@yahoogroups.com'; 'hvbeat@googlegroups.com'; 'hearus@googlegroups.com'; 'freespirittours@sbcglobal.net'; 'pwegeforth@yahoo.com'; 'salvador@giblas.com'; 'jm1st@earthlink.net'; 'Sandy Waks'; 'Ray Cook'; 'tracey_ohare@hotmail.com'; 'tstanding@softraid.com'; 'tegesq@aol.com'; 'sarina511@yahoo.com'; 'greg.j.lehman@gmail.com'; 'asbo@msn.com'; 'Kimberly Jessup'; 'michaelmooney@yahoo.com'; 'lerichter@hotmail.com'; 'info@homesteadvalley.org'; 'David Ross'; 'Jim Welte'; 'roberthunn@hospitalsafety.biz'; 'wyraga4@att.net'; 'nduzgunes@pacific.edu'; 'mukul.bahatti@yahoo.com'; 'Daniel Brousseau'; 'mm03246@gmail.com'; 'Doug Gelbach'; 'marie porti'; 'alwuthnow@gmail.com'; 'Kristin Cann'; 'Trigg McLeod'; 'Merrill Hunn'; 'duncandrechsel@yahoo.com'; 'Graham/Maverick Graham'; 'cjoerger@gmail.com'; 'Luis Ottley'; 'laura@marinbike.org'; 'wendi@marinbike.org'; 'andy@marinbike.org'; 'Lynn Frazier'; 'Terry Nevin'; 'bernalites'; 'Paul'
Subject: RE: Request to be removed from 94941 email list serve
 
Take me off the Email list.   I have had enough of this angry and hateful and baseless trash.
The sidewalk is a safe and handsome improvement to Evergreen.    Already walkers, dog walkers,  baby strollers,  groups of children, handicapped wheelers,  are using the finished parts of it.  It is a fine enhancement to the neighborhood regardless of the school.  I like the school and appreciate the wonderful improvements they have made to that blighted site.  I enjoy taking my grandchildren up to play in the school yard.  During the school year,  I like to see groups of children walking in the morning and afternoon. (Note that during the midday the foot traffic on Evergreen of  residents and visitors/hikers is continual and heavy.)   I also understand that nearly all parents of young children are driving them to school,  and that since young children need safety car seats,  many young families need SUVs.  (Note the traffic around Old Mill,  Park, and Edna Maguire Schools during arrival and departure times.)
                More than 20 years ago I researched and wrote the grant from the State Department of Urban Streams Renewal to improve the drainage to the meadow  and make it useful for the Community Center and School.  I worked closely with the State Department of Fish and Game to make sure we were doing the right thing.  The issue of harming the salmon  in Reed Creek is totally fallacious.  The new construction for the sidewalk has greatly improved several serious drainage problems of dump during heavy rainfall of exotics such as rubber and oil from the road directly into Reed Creek.
                Charlie Sands,   you live on upper North Ferndale.  Stay off of Evergreen.  Stay off of Montford and away from the school.  Go down La Vern.  We don't need you and your extra traffic speeding down our street.     Constance Birkie,  254 Evergreen.
 
From: Kimberly Hughes [mailto:kimberlymh@earthlink.net]
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2012 7:52 AM
To: Hannelore Barnes; HV 94941
Cc: Robert Cogswell; ScottSchneider; krice@co.marin.ca.us; ksears@co.marin.ca.us; sadams@co.marin.ca.us; jarnold@co.marin.ca.us; skinsey@co.marin.ca.us; Brian Spring; dylan simonds; Keith Garriott; ErnestKlock; BobBeaumont; AnthonyLum; bdrlpk@sonic.net; brianarose2@comcast.net; Chuck Oldenburg; Dan Brousseau; Diane Ellsworth; dmamura@comcast.net; drummond@tides.org; Frank Lurz; Gail Taras; Jaime Muniz; Pappa Dessle; Les Lizama; mcrolden@aol.com; Renee Glazier; rick stern; stoddardnh@comcast.net; symba@prodigy.net; Tomas Dessle; Karlyn Ward; II II II; Winston Albert; Wendi Kallins; rick montalvan; madroneparkcircle@yahoogroups.com; hvbeat@googlegroups.com; hearus@googlegroups.com; freespirittours@sbcglobal.net; pwegeforth@yahoo.com; salvador@giblas.com; jm1st@earthlink.net; Sandy Waks; Ray Cook; tracey_ohare@hotmail.com; tstanding@softraid.com; tegesq@aol.com; sarina511@yahoo.com; greg.j.lehman@gmail.com; asbo@msn.com; Constance Birkie; Kimberly Jessup; michaelmooney@yahoo.com; lerichter@hotmail.com; info@homesteadvalley.org; David Ross; Jim Welte; roberthunn@hospitalsafety.biz; wyraga4@att.net; nduzgunes@pacific.edu; mukul.bahatti@yahoo.com; Daniel Brousseau; mm03246@gmail.com; Doug Gelbach; marie porti; alwuthnow@gmail.com; Kristin Cann; Trigg McLeod; Merrill Hunn; duncandrechsel@yahoo.com; Graham/Maverick Graham; cjoerger@gmail.com; Luis Ottley; laura@marinbike.org; wendi@marinbike.org; andy@marinbike.org; Lynn Frazier; Terry Nevin; Kimberly Hughes; bernalites; Paul
Subject: Re: Request to be removed from 94941 email list serve
 

Dear Hanne,
 
Thank you for your thoughtful and articulate email. 
I couldn't agree more... 
Finally there's a safe place to walk, away from speeding traffic.
 
To suggest the sidewalk only benefits families with MHS students is absurd... 
While nothing comes without pros and cons, this is a nice start to a safer "leave-your-car-at-home" avenue.
 
Cheers,
Kimberly Hughes
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Hannelore Barnes
Sent: Jul 25, 2012 12:27 PM
To: HV 94941
Cc: Robert Cogswell , ScottSchneider , krice@co.marin.ca.us, ksears@co.marin.ca.us, sadams@co.marin.ca.us, jarnold@co.marin.ca.us, skinsey@co.marin.ca.us, Brian Spring , dylan simonds , Keith Garriott , ErnestKlock , BobBeaumont , AnthonyLum , bdrlpk@sonic.net, brianarose2@comcast.net, Chuck Oldenburg , Dan Brousseau , Diane Ellsworth , dmamura@comcast.net, drummond@tides.org, Frank Lurz , Gail Taras , Jaime Muniz , Pappa Dessle , Les Lizama , mcrolden@aol.com, Renee Glazier , rick stern , stoddardnh@comcast.net, symba@prodigy.net, Tomas Dessle , Karlyn Ward , II II II , Winston Albert , Wendi Kallins , rick montalvan , madroneparkcircle@yahoogroups.com, hvbeat@googlegroups.com, hearus@googlegroups.com, freespirittours@sbcglobal.net, pwegeforth@yahoo.com, salvador@giblas.com, jm1st@earthlink.net, Sandy Waks , Ray Cook , tracey_ohare@hotmail.com, tstanding@softraid.com, tegesq@aol.com, sarina511@yahoo.com, greg.j.lehman@gmail.com, asbo@msn.com, Constance Birkie , Kimberly Jessup , michaelmooney@yahoo.com, lerichter@hotmail.com, info@homesteadvalley.org, David Ross , Jim Welte , roberthunn@hospitalsafety.biz, wyraga4@att.net, nduzgunes@pacific.edu, mukul.bahatti@yahoo.com, Daniel Brousseau , mm03246@gmail.com, Doug Gelbach , marie porti , alwuthnow@gmail.com, Kristin Cann , Trigg McLeod , Merrill Hunn , duncandrechsel@yahoo.com, Graham/Maverick Graham , cjoerger@gmail.com, Luis Ottley , laura@marinbike.org, wendi@marinbike.org, andy@marinbike.org, Lynn Frazier , Terry Nevin , Kimberly Hughes , bernalites , Paul
Subject: Request to be removed from 94941 email list serve

Mari,
 
Please remove my address from your email list.  
 
While I am pleased to see problem areas like the Ethel corner and the Volunteer Park areas being addressed, revisions are to be expected and have in no way changed my opinion that the sidewalk is a wonderful thing for the neighborhood.  With the exception of 5 people, everyone I personally know in HV is elated to see it installed and working its way up the street.  And the proof is how many people, especially non MHS people, are using it who I have never seen walking on Evergreen before it was installed.  
 
I think you would far better serve your community by focussing your energy on the Miller Streetscape project now and the effects it will have on all ingress and egress points to HV from Miller.
 
Thank you, Hanne
 
  
On Jul 25, 2012, at 11:53 AM, HV 94941 wrote:
 
Petition up to 208 and growing.
 
 
Homestead Valley Post
415.779.4941
 
 
 
 


 
On Jun 22, 2012, at 11:50 AM, Robert Cogswell wrote:
 
As someone who has experienced flooding issues many, many times when I had my business behind Goodman's, I must disagree that the sump pump is a workable solution. In fact, it is further from a workable solution than is responsible to impose on a property owner. Sump pumps only work in the presence of electrical power. The most likely times to be without electric power are also (surprise, surprise!) the times it is most likely that there will be high flood probability, i.e. storm conditions with high rainfall. So, the ONLY solution in this case is a passive system that requires no electro/mechanical component to work. It dosn't take an engineer to know this; any of us who has seen normal extremes of weather will know what I mean. And, Brian, notwithstanding your confidence in the county's staff, your discalimer:
"as best as conditions will allow.", is not sufficient. Those conditions are CAUSED by county tampering, not existing conditions.
To return to my experience, my business property was in the flood plain, I had 2 electric sump pumps at low points inside my structure, and, until the inevitable electricity failures, they worked well to keep flooding inside my structure from rising to the water level outside. I learned to put anything I valued (that I could) up on benches or in the highest places available when heavy storms were forecast because (guess what?!), the electricity ALWAYS failed at least once each heavy winter year!
Evergreen Ave. residents, my heart bleeds for you. The county has drunk the MHS koolaide and we will be the worse for it.
 

From: Brian Spring <bkspring@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Evergreen Sidewalk : Design Error being poured in Concrete, may need to be torn-up and fixed, after the rains.
To: "Schneider, Scott" <SSchneider@marincounty.org>, krice@co.marin.ca.us, ksears@co.marin.ca.us, sadams@co.marin.ca.us, jarnold@co.marin.ca.us, skinsey@co.marin.ca.us
Cc: dylan@dylansimonds.com, saveevergreenave@gmail.com, "Klock, Ernest" <EKlock@marincounty.org>, "Beaumont, Bob" <BBeaumont@marincounty.org>, "Lum, Anthony" <ALum@marincounty.org>, "HV 94941" <hv94941@gmail.com>, bdrlpk@sonic.net, brianarose2@comcast.net, charlessands@aol.com, chuckoldenburg@gmail.com, dan_brousseau@sbcglobal.net, djellsworth@comcast.net, dmamura@comcast.net, drummond@tides.org, frank@franklurz.com, gailtaras@earthlink.net, jaime@sfsailing.com, jdessle@msn.com, les@homesteadvalley.org, mcrolden@aol.com, rglazier106@earthlink.net, rickstern@pacbell.net, stoddardnh@comcast.net, sunauto@pacbell.net, symba@prodigy.net, toooomas@yahoo.com, wardkm@comcast.net, waynedauphine@gmail.com, winston@180com.com, wkallins@igc.org, montalvanent@gmail.com, madroneparkcircle@yahoogroups.com, hvbeat@googlegroups.com, hearus@googlegroups.com, hanne@hannebarnes.com, freespirittours@sbcglobal.net, pwegeforth@yahoo.com, salvador@giblas.com, jm1st@earthlink.net, waksy@earthlink.net, whoray@sonic.net, tracey_ohare@hotmail.com, tstanding@softraid.com, tegesq@aol.com, sarina511@yahoo.com, greg.j.lehman@gmail.com, asbo@msn.com, "Constance Birkie" <cbirkie@comcast.net>, jessupinc@aol.com, michaelmooney@yahoo.com, "Mari Tamburo" <drive@avehicleforchange.org>, lerichter@hotmail.com, info@homesteadvalley.org, david@homesteadvalley.org, "Jim Welte" <jimw@patch.com>, roberthunn@hospitalsafety.biz, wyraga4@att.net, nduzgunes@pacific.edu, mukul.bahatti@yahoo.com, daniel7245@gmail.com, mm03246@gmail.com, "Doug Gelbach" <dgelbach@sbcglobal.net>, porti_evergreen@hotmail.com, alwuthnow@gmail.com, kristincann@hotmail.com, findtrigg@gmail.com, merhunn@sbcglobal.net, duncandrechsel@yahoo.com, himaverick@comcast.net, cjoerger@gmail.com, lottley@marinhorizon.org, laura@marinbike.org, wendi@marinbike.org, andy@marinbike.org, "Lynn Frazier" <lafrazier@comcast.net>, "Terry Nevin" <terrynevin@yahoo.com>, "Kimberly Hughes" <kimberlymh@earthlink.net>, "bernalites" <bernalites@me.com>, "Paul" <virtualy@earthlink.net>
Date: Friday, June 22, 2012, 10:39 AM
HI Scott, Thanks for your reply

I appreciate your efforts, and the difficulty of having to deal with construction problems, "found conditions" and scheduling restrictions.    I am sure that the revised plan will adequately deal with the drainage issues, as best as conditions will allow.

I do lament the loss of an elegant solution to the thorny drainage issue.   Having a catch basin, and storm drain was a solution that very adequately addressed the problem, in a modern, civilized manner.   The only solution now available to you, sump-pumping water up and into the gutter, is a viable alternative.   A storm drain presented a better solution, because the water would be able to drain by gravity, a better alternative than relying on electric sump pumps.

Again, thanks to you and Anthony for your efforts.

best,
Brian Spring
cell:  415 497-2880
email:  bkspring@gmail.com
 
On Fri, Jun 22, 2012 at 9:21 AM, Schneider, Scott <SSchneider@marincounty.org> wrote:
Mr. Spring,
The County is confident that the new curb and gutter will have sufficient capacity to handle the 25-year storm flows.  The piped drainage system was proposed to deal with water ponding on Mr. Reck's property.  We are working with Mr. Reck on alternative solutions to the ponding issue.
 
Scott
 
 
 
 
<image001.jpg>
.   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .
 
Scott Schneider, P.E.
ASSOCIATE CIVIL ENGINEER

County of Marin
Department of Public Works
3501 Civic Center Drive, Suite 404
San Rafael, CA 94903
415 473-4362 T
415 473-3724 F
CRS Dial 711

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
 
From: Brian Spring [mailto:bkspring@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, June 21, 2012 12:52 PM
To: Rice, Katie; Sears, Kathrin; Adams, Susan; Arnold, Judy; Kinsey, Steven
Cc: Schneider, Scott; Beaumont, Bob
Subject: Evergreen Sidewalk : Design Error being poured in Concrete, may need to be torn-up and fixed, after the rains.
 
Hi All

At the community construction meeting on June 7th, i, as a civil/structural engineer, was particularly interested to see how the designer solved the drainage problem between Linden and Ethel.   The designer had a catch-basin in front of Paul and Nancey's house (125 Evergreen), which connected to a new storm-drain, which drained to the Ethel street culvert.    I considered that an adequate solution, and had voiced that opinion previously.   Thus, i voiced support for the project.

I found out this morning that, due to conflicts with water and gas lines, the catch basin and storm drain had been eliminated from the project.    The proper solution to a very real problem has been eliminated.    The engineer on site, Anthony, told me that the street-gutter will be adequate.   I am sure is will be adequate for normal rainfalls.   I am also sure that Paul and Nancey's property will bear the burden when we get the heavy deluges, which we regularly get here during the winter storms.   

The contractor is installing the sidewalk, curb and gutter, without installing the catch-basin and storm drain.    This will result in quite a cost savings now, perhaps $10,000.   However, i have seen more than one project, altered during construction, which became a problem.   The jurisdiction later needs to revist the design decision, and correct the error, spending non-budgeted monies at a later time.

I believe this is a serious error in judgement at this time, done in order to expediate the project, and stay on schedule.   We, the tax payers, will probably be footing an additional larger bill (say about $100,000), when the known problem needs to be remedied, by installing the catch-basin and storm drain, as designed.

I am not in favor of building a flaw into a relatively well designed project.   If the error is not resolved now, the residents of the valley will live with it forever.

thanks for your time,
Brian Spring
cell:  415 497-2880
email:  bkspring@gmail.com