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Extracted from Consolidated Report
This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings 3 findings
F1
Page 50
potable water for households
F2
Page 50
gray water for agriculture
F3
tertiary water for landscape P. The use of purple pipe identifies tertiary water. Q. Prior land usage is a direct source of water contamination. R. The County requires tests to identify potential soil and groundwater contamination. S. For individual wells, the requirements for a draw-down test (pump test) has changed from .5 to 1.0 gallons per minute, under pressure. Wells, yielding less than 5 gallons per minute, require use of a 2,000 gallon storage tank. T. Most County Planning personnel are not knowledgeable in long-term water issues and potential water shortages. U. An Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is a valuable tool to preserve and protect water resources. V. Running water to obtain hot water is a costly waste of energy and millions of gallons of water each year. CONCLUSIONS A. Availability of water is a major issue. Experts in the field concur that lack of water is a great concern. B. The development of future water supplies will require additional means of water treatment, storage and delivery systems. C. Residential, commercial and public use of water should be balanced. D. Agriculture requires less water per acre consumption than subdivisions and provides recharge for aquifers. E. The long-term impact of preserving agricultural land may require constraints on urban growth. F. Fresno County Zoning Ordinances pertaining to water use should be reviewed since forty-year-old plans are still in use. G. Fresno County currently has a Water Advisory Committee overseeing water issues. H. Development of additional recharge basins will assist in the replenishment of aquifers. I. Pre-existing water contamination is a concern for redevelopment or in-fill projects. J. Additional water reservoirs are necessary to store mountain water run-off. K The implementation of meters and tiered pricing of water usage will encourage conservation. L. Water treatment plants with three stages would assist recharge and the purification of potable, tertiary and gray water. M. A knowledge of water planning is necessary for Planning Department personnel. N. Environmental Impact Reports (EIR) are useful and necessary tools to preserve and protect water resources. O. The present test standards for minimum gallons per minute is an insufficient volume for water supply requirements of a residence. P. The use of on-demand hot water recirculation systems would save millions of gallons of water and reduce costs. Q. The current Residential Building Code does not require on-demand hot water recirculation systems.
Recommendations 29
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R1Page 50There is considerable traffic congestion on the streets of Fresno near freeway intersections and during rush hours.
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R2Page 50Traffic signals on most high traffic city streets are not synchronized for efficient flow of traffic.
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R3Page 50Traffic flow problems are the most serious in areas of the city where there are no effective expressways or freeway systems designed to move heavy traffic.
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R4Page 50Fresno is currently installing a centrally controlled, synchronized traffic system along major arteries.
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R5Page 50The synchronized traffic system is being installed in six phases. The first three phases are funded.
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R6Page 50The synchronized traffic system is being installed on streets with significant traffic flow.
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R7Page 50Fresno has over four hundred traffic signals within the city and maintains another 200 in other Fresno County cities.
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R8Page 50Only forty of the over four hundred city traffic signals are connected to the Traffic Operation Center (TOC): • not all traffic signals will be connected to the TOC • the TOC is currently not fully operational 37
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R9Page 50The majority of the signaled intersections in Fresno have programming capability: • sixty-five percent of signals are activated and capable of detecting traffic at the intersection • approximately twenty percent of signals are technologically advanced and programmable and are designed to be coordinated with other intersections • fifteen percent are incapable of being programmed (fixed time/electromechanical) • the cost to upgrade the specific functions of signals is $250,000 per signal
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R10Page 51The City Traffic Engineering Section will respond to citizen suggestions on improving traffic flow at “problem” intersections.
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R11Page 51The City Traffic Operations Center is currently composed of a manager and two 0.80 full-time equivalent staff.
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R12Page 51The City Traffic Engineering Section has one quarter-time position that works on timing of signals.
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R13Page 51The City Traffic Engineering Section spends two-thirds or more of its time responding to new development projects as opposed to traffic infrastructure projects: • developers may request traffic signals to enhance traffic flow into their businesses and developments • developers are required to pay for new signals they request be installed • a new signal that does not meet the requirements of the Traffic Engineering Section must be approved by the City Council
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R14Page 51Traffic signals in Fresno are currently under two different divisions. The Traffic Engineering Section implements the planning, placement and timing of signals. The Street Maintenance Division installs and maintains signals.
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R15Page 51The City of Fresno is conducting a search to employ a licensed Traffic Engineer to manage the TOC. TRAFFIC FLOW/CONGESTION CONCLUSIONS
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R22Page 49The Fresno County Board of Supervisors: • direct the Water Advisory Committee to be more diligent in overseeing the sale and use of water • develop and implement a tiered system of water pricing for the use of potable, tertiary and gray water • require the installation of double water meters in all future developments • require developers to demonstrate availability of an adequate water supply for all future developments • require performance bonds from developers for the assurance of future water supplies to their projects • require developers to set aside land to be used for re-charge basins 35
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R23Page 49The Fresno County Planning Commission require documented evidence of availability of water supply that complies with County policy before approving any new development.
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R24Page 49Temperance Flat be developed as a reservoir for snowmelt and foothill run-off.
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R25Page 49Tertiary water from all water treatment plants be used.
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R26Page 49Draw-down test (pump test) standards be raised to a minimum of 5 gallons per minute, not under pressure, for 48 hours.
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R27Page 49An immediate building moratorium be implemented until proven water sources are located, developed and preserved.
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R28Page 49The County Residential Building Code require an on-demand hot water recirculating system be installed in all new residential construction.
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R29Page 49The Fresno County Zoning Ordinances pertaining to water use be reviewed 36 TRAFFIC FLOW/CONGESTION INTRODUCTION Fresno is rapidly becoming a large urban city experiencing increasing traffic flow and congestion problems. The 2004/2005 Fresno County Grand Jury (FCGJ) interviewed experts in the field of traffic control and governmental leaders about these problems and possible solutions. The FCGJ strongly believes that it is time our city leaders address this problem before it becomes unmanageable. TRAFFIC FLOW/CONGESTION FINDINGS
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R30Page 52Hire additional personnel to accomplish its responsibilities.
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R31Page 52Require developers to mitigate traffic problems caused by their development projects.
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R32Page 52Address current and future traffic flow and congestion problems on streets not included in the current synchronized traffic system program.
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R33Page 52Install and upgrade technically advanced signals capable of being coordinated with those at other intersections.
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R34Page 52Devise and implement a definitive plan for the completion of the TOC.
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R35Page 52Request funding be provided by the Fresno City Council for the remaining phases of the synchronized traffic control system. BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND DISTRICTS COMMITTEES INTRODUCTION The 2004/2005 Fresno County Grand Jury gathered information about the various City and County Boards, Commissions, and Districts. Past Grand Jury reports were also reviewed. Citizens’ complaints prompted this Committee to concentrate its time and efforts on the Lighting and Maintenance Districts of the City of Fresno. For many years an issue regarding common landscaping in some neighborhoods and the problem of keeping pace with the rising costs of needed maintenance has existed. To date no solution has emerged to accommodate those neighborhoods caught in the dilemma. Sprinklers are not working, weeds are not being sprayed or removed. Many complaints from the affected homeowners have resulted and continue to be a bone of contention because services paid for are not performed or not completed in a timely manner. Our goal has been to first sort out the various historical issues. Secondly, to make recommendations for the work and funding of these special maintenance districts to keep pace with the maintenance needs of the homeowners. 40