to apply, and so certainly that would be reviewed, and be analyzed on a case-by-case basis >> so failure to have filed a claim in and of itself is not a bar? >> correct. >> whoa, whoa, it has been a bar in other instances and one woman didn't file a claim, and was hit in the head and the city attorney denied her claim and i'm not sure. it may be different, because this seems like an administrative request. >> this is structured as a grant program. and is not a "claim" per se. >> i see. okay. well, that resolves it. >> one of the things that we request in the application, in the grant is to request proof of flooding. >> is from a deadline for this? >> treasan it's an ongoing

program and we're working with dbi with the backflow preventers that need to be approved by dbi and we'll be working with dbi to process the applications. >> that gets to my second eligibility question, for backflow prevents, your guidelines say it has to be up to code. what are we protecting ourselvess or the property owner against there? >> we just simply, if the property owner is not currently up to code, and therefore, there would be costs associated with coming up to code, we do not want to bear those costs. and so, if the property owner is currently not up to code, we would assume beyond them bringing it to code first. in other words,, the reimbursability would be good for everything from code-forward, but the owner would be responsible for bringing their property up to code to that date.

>> if you were up to code when you built your house, you are not longer up to code for a new structure. and if somebody is applying for a backflow preventer, are they basically subjecting themselves to bring their home up to all new current codes? >> i think we better talk to counsel on that. >> and part is how we choose to word it. i fully support the idea that we shouldn't be paying for a homeowner's code improvement work under this program. on the other hand, i would hate to have that be phrased in a way that is so broad, that you basically create a disincentive to do what we want people to do which is flood-proof their homes. >> the codes are only related to the piping system and entering into our system and

dbi will solely look at the drainage system in the household up to the property line to make sure that that is up to code. >> and if it is not, the expense is borne by the homeowner? >> the expense is borne by the homeowner, up to the point of bringing it up to code and beyond that, the expense is borne by house as a reimbursible. >> if they were not up to code, would it make the backflow preventer in effective? >> dbi, if they are going to issue a performance would need to issue a permit that states that the building is up to code. so dbii will not issue a permit unless the entire improvement meets current code. >> if all you are doing is putting in a backflow preventer, that is the extent of the improvement. >> good afternoon, tommy moala

assistant general manager for wastewater. it's really outside of their facility, so what we want to be able to do with this particular one on the sidewalk, next to our trap, we want to be able to infect it inspect it over time. >> that makes absolute sense and your guidelines say it has to be installed in such a way that you have access to it, but the phrase that says, "the property is up to code prior though any modifications." that is a sweeping statement. and i'm concerned that it's far too broad. >> it is too broad. >> i think the intention there is that the property needs to be up to code with respect to the installation of backflow preventers. so there are certain cases -- >> well it should be very specific. >> yes. >> commissioner moran's concerns are real. >> that is an excellent point. >> thank you. these haven't been posted on

the website yet and we'll make the modifications, but our intent was the code issue was only related to backflow preventers and if a backflow preventer was already required by code to be there and it's not there, the puc would not be paying for that improvement. but if there was additional problems, and the backflow preventers are installed, according to code, we would pay for additional improvements with respect to backflow preventers with the grant program. >> i would prefer to see the language before it's posted and i am sure commissioner moran would. >> does this need to have any action at board? is there an ordinance associated with it? >> yes, the action of the board is to authorize the general manager to execute -- oh, the board of supervisors? >> board of supervisors, yes >> not to our understanding. >> okay. >> there is an internal. >> okay. so we don't have to worry about the wording of an ordinance going forward.

if it's clear that we are not paying for code enforcement, and there is a cap on the doctor amount of any improvement. so you can't go overboard, anyway, those two should be sufficient without saying that the property has to be up to code. i think that phrasing is very problematic and we should remove it. >> let's look at the language. who is drafting it? counsel or? >> the language that was included in the documents? >> the language that we're referencing now? >> is that in the resolution? >> that particular part is not in the resolution, it's in the guideline documents. >> so this is basically our own internal documents as to what qualifies? >> i don't have a problem with

it was a two-star michelin restaurant moved after december, which was not our most severe flood, let me tell you. a simple solution, i thought of and talked to my neighbors about is to take my parking lot and just fill it in and raise it up, so that instead of being 2' down from the sidewalk, it's maybe 10-12" above and the water simply won't go in and probably cost $40,000 and take a week. so it is an idea. i actually sent a rough

proposal to stephanie harrison, is that right? have i got the name? and got a response. so anyway, that is kind of an idea. the temporary barrier doesn't work because these things happen so fast, you wouldn't be able to react quickly and run out there. we have to have the parking lot open all the time. so we wouldn't be able to run out there fast enough to put the barrier in place, you if any? know? >> do you don't think this technology will help you? >> no, because we would have to have it off for ten hours of the day and most of the floods have happened during business hours, coincidentally and they won't be there and they happen real fast and they are gone real quick >> so this program would not be helpful to you then? >> i don't know if it covers the idea of raising the level of the parking lot, which would solve -- it would protect --

they get much more damage than i get. i get cars flooded and we have to take the computers out and dry them out. >> oh, boy. >> it's an idea, anyway. i'm glad to hear about the sistern. i think it's a great idea to have under the park. >> commissioner? >> yes. i am going to ask emilio a question. so it sounds like and thank you so much, because it sounds like one of your main concerns is the water in the other restaurants down below and not so much your business and we really appreciate your consideration. i mean, there are a couple of things that he raised that i'm curious about. are people even in their homes going to -- if they apply and they get a $6,000 flood barrier, and they are at the office, or they are in the room with a child or something, are they going to be able to realistically run to their front door and install

this barrier? i hadn't really through the through the mechanics. >> there are two components, one is the backflow preventer, which is at the lowest point and the first point of entry in most cases. so that works by itself, without any trigger. the second one, which is the doorways, actually is at a point that comes over over the curb and onto the property before it penetrates into the doorway. so there are two levels of storm, the first one, it doesn't quite hit the streets and the second one hits the streets and rides over the curb. also while this gentleman was discussing a localized issue of a heavy storm that hits the parking lot and runs off, the real issues that we're dealing with both on the short-term and long-term are the fact that the hydrology of this area is such that the entire sewer gets full, and starts to come up

through the catch basins themselves and over the sidewalk. so changing the slope of a parking lot will have zero effect on the system, which the entire system is full. and so localized flow, as i said, may create some very small issues of perhaps accelerated flow, but our real challenge is when the sewer system backs up. again, the backflow preventer is the first opportunity to create safeguards. the second is going to be detection. and so yes, if somebody is at work, then no, they are not going to get home in time. but if they know a storm is coming, and put them up before they leave, they are very easy to handle, in particular the pedestrian doorways. they are not all that different, then if you have ever ridden the f line and a disabled passenger wants to ride the f line. the operator has to pull up next to the ramp and because

the vehicles are historic, they lay the ramp between them and they are that mobile and easy to handle the. the commissioner doors are not as easy to handle, but there will be somebody there department of public works the days. these are technologies that exist elsewhere. the city of selma has used this and one vendor is working in the san diego area to protect public properties, including the stadium in san diego. so we are talking about technologies that do work on other properties, and again, it is at this point our best effort to create an immediate barrier for the coming winter. >> great, thank you. >> all right. yes, did you want to respond? >> yes. [ inaudible ] the restaurants would use those barriers on folsom street, but they do no

good at all if it's flooding down through the parking lot. so each location has specific, you know >> each location would have to have a front and back technology? >> yes. from both folsom and 17th it slopes down and all the backyards are 2 feet below and they need protection at folsom street, at their entrance, as well as something on my parking lot, too. >> i think the best thing is to wait and see if they apply for this assistance. >> exactly. >> and figure out the best route. >> great. >> thank you for your interest and your concern for others. uncommon these days. any other questions? the chair will entertain the roll call on the motion. it's already been first and seconded. all those in favor, signify by saying aye? >> aye. >> opposed? motion carries. public comments on matters to be discussed in closed session?

none? i need a motion. >> so moved. >> all right. to exert attorney-client privilege and donna will read the closed motions. >> closed session item 12 conference with legal counsel, anticipated litigation as plaintiff. item 13, conference with legal counsel, existing litigation. pacific gas & electric versus city and county of san francisco. item 14, threat to public services or facilities, consultation with agency chief of security. >> okay. who is going to

>> hi. welcome to san francisco. stay safe and exploring how you can stay in your home safely after an earthquake. let's look at common earthquake myths. >> we are here at the urban center on mission street in san francisco. we have 3 guest today. we have david

constructional engineer and bill harvey. i want to talk about urban myths. what do you think about earthquakes, can you tell if they are coming in advance? >> he's sleeping during those earthquakes? >> have you noticed him take any special? >> no. he sleeps right through them. there is no truth that i'm aware of with harvey that dogs are aware of an impending earthquake. >> you hear the myth all the time. suppose the dog helps you get up, is it going to help you do something >> i hear they are aware of small vibrations. but yes, i read extensively that dogs cannot realize earthquakes.

>> today is a spectacular day in san francisco and sometimes people would say this is earthquake weather. is this earthquake weather? >> no. not that i have heard of. no such thing. >> there is no such thing. >> we are talking about the weather in a daily or weekly cycle. there is no relationship. i have heard it's hot or cold weather or rain. i'm not sure which is the myth. >> how about time of day? >> yes. it happens when it's least convenient. when it happens people say we were lucky and when they don't. it's terrible timing. it's never a good time for an earthquake. >> but we are going to have one. >> how about the ground swallowing people into the

ground? >> like the earth that collapsed? it's not like the tv shows. >> the earth does move and it bumps up and you get a ground fracture but it's not something that opens up and sucks you up into haddes. >> it's not going anywhere. we are going to have a lot of damage, but this myth that california is going to the ocean is not real. >> southern california is moving north. it's coming up from the south to the north. >> you would have to invest the

million year cycle, not weeks or years. maybe millions of years from now, part of los angeles will be in the bay area. >> for better or worse. >> yes. >> this is a tough question. >> those other ones weren't tough. >> this is a really easy challenge. are the smaller ones less stress? >> yes. the amount released in small earthquakes is that they are so small in you need many of those. >> i think would you probably have to have maybe hundreds of magnitude earthquakes of 4.7. >> so small earthquakes are not making our lives better in the future?

>> not anyway that you can count on. >> i have heard that buildings in san francisco are on rollers and isolated? >> it's not true. it's a conventional foundation like almost all the circumstances buildings in san francisco. >> the trans-america was built way before. it's a pretty conventional foundation design. >> i have heard about this thing called the triangle of life and up you are supposed to go to the edge of your bed to save yourself. is there anything of value to that ? >> yes, if you are in your room. you should drop, cover and hold onto something. if you are in school, same thing, kitchen same thing. if you happen to be in your bed, and

you rollover your bed, it's not a bad place to be. >> the reality is when we have a major earthquake the ground shaking so pronounced that you are not going to be able to get up and go anywhere. you are pretty much staying where you are when that earthquake hits. you are not going to be able to stand up and run with gravity. >> you want to get under the door frame but you are not moving to great distances. >> where can i buy a richter scale? >> mr. richter is selling it. we are going to put a plug in for cold hardware. they are not available. it's a rather complex. >> in fact we don't even use the richter scale anymore. we use a moment magnitude. the richter scale was early technology.

>> probably a myth that i hear most often is my building is just fine in the loma prieta earthquake so everything is fine. is that true ? >> loma prieta was different. the ground acceleration here was quite moderate and the duration was moderate. so anyone that believes they survived a big earthquake and their building has been tested is sadly mistaken. >> we are planning for the bigger earthquake closer to san francisco and a fault totally independent. >> much stronger than the loma prieta earthquake. >> so people who were here in '89 they should say 3 times as strong and twice as long and that will give them more of an

occasion of the earthquake we would have. 10 percent isn't really the threshold of damage. when you triple it you cross that line. it's much more damage in earthquake. >> i want to thank you, harvey, thanks pat for out to bring tha someone special. welcome to corona height located in the height of the cast strow district the eye kong bay bridge and on towards the east bay. cone oi shakes park is one the city's best kept secrets on lake twin peaks it's hardly crowded on a day any day you will run into a new lolls and hop on a bus to get there without any parking worries and lolls bring

their four-legged fronds run freely with other dogs and a small touch of grass for the small dogs and wild flowers carpet the grasslands keep on the look out nor hawks and ot >> clerk of the committee is derrick evans and i'd like to give a thanks to the ones working or projector. thank you for broadcasting this. >> please