Management of Cordilleras Creek still in question in Redwood City

Since then, residents have implored local leaders to help property owners address the creek and conditions that lead to flooding. Specifically, residents have asked that the city provide support in clearing out large debris like tree trunks that could keep the stream from flowing properly.

“If they got those folks to all agree that they could bring public works equipment in on private property to move debris that should satisfy the issue,” said Greg Biles, a resident involved in advocating for city support maintaining the creek.

That request is a complicated one to meet. While residents may lack access to the type of heavy equipment needed to remove large debris, city officials have argued they lack the legal authority to enter private property to conduct work.

Deputy City Manager Jennifer Yamaguma reiterated in an email statement that residents living along the privately owned creek are responsible for clearing debris and litter from the waterway, preventing it from flooding, but also noted the city is in active discussions with other local agencies to figure out ways to assist property owners.

“We hope to collaborate on community outreach efforts to encourage preventative mitigation measures by residents and businesses and will continue to explore opportunities to build on our existing efforts to support our communities,” Yamaguma said.

Arthur Wilkie, a spokesperson for the Sequoia Union High School District, confirmed the district is “considering partnering with the city on that matter.” Redwood High School also abuts the creek.

San Carlos Mayor John Dugan said the city would be open to hearing proposals for a potential partnership but noted the only offer staff has received was one that would relinquish responsibility for maintaining three creek culverts to Redwood City in exchange for a fee.

San Carlos officials are not interested in that type of agreement, preferring instead to retain oversight of its culverts, and no other proposals addressing maintenance on private property have been put forward, Dugan said. He noted the city also already has a robust creek maintenance program including informational material it provides to residents who are responsible for maintaining their portion of creeks and help hauling away what debris is collected.

“We’re open to considering any reasonable proposals put forward but maintaining our creeks is something we take very seriously and we’ll always keep that responsibility because it’s too serious of a matter for us to relinquish,” Dugan said. “We are not comfortable with being relieved of that responsibility. We owe that to our citizens to retain that responsibility and uphold that standard.”

The creek has performed well during recent heavy showers, Dugan and Biles both said, which Dugan credited to a recent bridge replacement project by Caltrans. But to ensure long-term success of the creek, Biles said it’s important jurisdictions land on some form of an agreement that would allow for public works teams to enter private properties to remove larger debris.

Biles said residents initially expected the agreement to have gone through but were told by an unnamed city official that San Carlos would not sign onto the multi-agency agreement without being provided further details as to why not. Residents had also asked to view a draft of the proposal but have yet to receive a copy, he said.

Residents were ultimately told to contact San Carlos officials themselves, specifically Dugan and Vice Mayor Sara McDowell, to discuss the issue further. While discussions have largely been held at the staff level, Redwood City Councilmember Chris Sturken said he and Dugan are expected to meet this week.

Sturken shared optimism about developing some form of an agreement all parties would be happy with while also acknowledging that factors that could keep jurisdictions from wanting to take on more creek responsibilities. Doing so could be expensive and forming a joint powers authority essentially means a city agrees to tax itself, he said.

Still, Sturken highlighted the benefits of such an agreement. By pooling resources, the agencies could accomplish more involved projects without one having to foot the bill.

“I think it would have a greater impact in terms of what kind of infrastructural improvements and restoration efforts we can do in the creek. We have to have all property owners in agreement to change the entire creek,” Sturken said. “I’m hopeful. I’m optimistic.”