Several urgency ordinances related to the Carr Fire were passed by the Redding City Council Tuesday night.
As Redding moves to cleanup mode City Manager Barry Tippin asked the council to continue with the declaration of a local emergency. The Federal Emergency Management Agency will reimburse funds the city has paid out in the wake of the Carr Fire, but only if certain requirements are met. One is the declaration of an emergency, which allows cleanup efforts to begin without a vote by the council for each item. Tippin told the council the city sustained considerable damage to its trail system including to four bridges.
“There’s a lot of hazards with trees and erosion control,” Tippin said. “We’re working with Cal OES and FEMA for them to recognize them as an immediate need so we can actually go and hire contractors forthwith and get that work done prior to any rain falling and get the system open.”
Public Works Director Chuck Aukland said that contaminants could be entering the sewage system at properties where homes were destroyed, especially once cleanup begins. He asked the council for $500,000 to cap the sewage line at each lot preventing contaminants from entering the system.
“Large amounts of debris can plug up sewer mains it can clog up our pump stations and those can lead to what is called sanitary sewer overflows that is the manholes back up get into the street and potentially into streams and rivers,” he said.
Auckland said that work must be done prior to property owners having their lots cleared which will begin as soon as Cal OES gives the clearance. That work can be done for free by the state, or a property owner can have it done privately. But according to an ordinance passed Tuesday night, it must be signed off by the city in order to insure uniformity.
Tippin said cleanup information will be posted on the city’s website by Friday with informational meetings to be held as soon as next week.
