[NENA] storm drainage and 1/4 cent tax

[K Cunnar]

Dear NENA Board, Members and Non-Members,

During the winter months, the rain's run off sometimes gets to be quite high along Oakland. If there is inadequate storm drainage systems, then the water pools and evaporates.  This is bad for several reasons.  First, if the water evaporates, then that is less water going into the storm drainage and rain water is a major source of water for New Mexico. Water evaporation is a problem in water conservation.  Second, if  the pools of water do not evaporate or go down a storm drainage and if the weather is cold and freezes, then  there are small cracks where water seeps into the sublevel of asphalt. Once the water seeps into the sublevel of asphalt and the water freezes, then potholes and cracks in the asphalt form.  If the pothole, is not covered up, then that allows water to seep in and create a larger pothole.   The snow
during the winter can melt and the water seeps into the asphalt sublevel where already existing cracks and potholes are creating more potholes and more cracks. Which is why it is imperative to seal and cover each new pothole and crack during every cycle.  If the potholes are not covered, then there is a chance the water can seep into the concrete and crack the concrete.  If this happens, then once the concrete is cracked no matter how many times that the street gets repaved, then the repaved street will only last 3 to 5 years.  A non- cracked concrete foundation will help protect the pavement to last up to 20 years.  I have noticed several cracks in the asphalt in the Cul de Sac.  There is a small ant hole formed in one crack in the asphalt in front of my house.  

The storm drainage system is not adequate in the area.  It would make more sense to add 4% to the 1/4 tax
toward maintaining, rebuilding, redoing storm drainages in all Districts. Storm drainages working adequately will help reduce the chance of flooding, will help keep water from evaporating (which will help conserve water).  With an adequate storm drainage
system, then there is reduced chance of potholes as there would be less flooding. Less flooding means less chance of water seeping into pavement and during times of weather freezing, then less potholes and cracks forming- with adequate storm drainage systems.  With adequate storm
drainage systems there is less need to repair potholes and cracks.  I hope there the money is put back
for road deficiencies and money is given from 1/4 tax to storm drainage systems throughout Albuquerque.
I also hope bike lanes receive additional funding as the Federal guidelines (if passed) will require any new
streets or modified streets (redevelopment) to install bike lanes.  There is located on Eubank between
Paseo Del Norte and Academy a road that constantly gets flooded.  This is happening not just in the NE heights, but also all over Albuquerque!!

I listened to the City Council Meeting on the government video.  It seems ridiculous to hear comments
about storm drainage systems costing millions of dollars, yet no big deal to fund bus shelters at 1.8 million.
For 1.8 million, there could be rebuilt and new storm drainage systems in several districts.  Why isn't the Head of the Storm Drainage department speaking up about the problems in Albuquerque?  Are the Department
heads fearful of loosing their jobs, if going against the Mayor and the Mayor's desire to get the not necessary
street car.  Certainly, there are needs in Albuquerque (lack of healthcare, lack of patient services for people living with cancer, lack of funding for research on medicine etc..)  but when the nightly news reports on flooding, flooding in the streets (can cause disease) , sink holes, potholes or on how businesses loose revenue every time the City has neglected to maintain regular maintenance on city streets to the point of now the entire street needs to be repaved, is ridiculous on how much Transit is getting to fund people on
how to ride the bus.  

I believe that the City Council needs to invite Roland from the Storm Drainage to speak and John from 
City Municipal.  Also, Bike ABQ. Before any more discussion on 1/4 cent tax.  Storm drainage and 1/4 cent
tax go hand in hand.  The golden opportunity to cover basic essentials such as, adequate storm drainage
systems is there in the upcoming 1/4 cent tax.  If you drive your car in flooded streets, then your car can
stall out.  If the weather outside freezes, then the water in the streets that has seeped into the sublevel
of asphalt can create potholes and cracks in pavement.  Petroleum is the raw material used to make
asphalt.  It is very expensive to repave city streets.  Simply, ignoring the needs of the city streets to accommodate a politician that has been in office for over 20 years achieve a Marty Chavez Street car
is ridiculous and inexcusable.  

With the pictures taken on Eubank of the car accident where several accidents have been as evidence
of the streets median, well why not spend the money to expand the tight corridor and help keep insurance
rates down for people?  It would seem that by expanding the entrance to the business that the City
would reduce the amount of car accidents in that area.  Why isn't the police reports with obvious structural
and road deficiencies being forwarded by APD to Municipal for repair?  It would seem that would 
be admitting that the City is liable for lack of concern over street funding for road deficiencies.  

The 1/4 cent tax is a golden opportunity to fund the projects that cost millions of dollars such as, the storm
drainage system.  

In the future, the Federal legislation might require (if passed) all cities to install bike lanes in city streets.
If concrete was laid where existing bike lanes go, (to separate the bike from car lane), then the storm
drainage systems would need to be moved, too.  

The 1/4 cent tax is planning of Albuquerque future, so storm drainage and pothole and crack maintenance and bike lanes are a big part of the future need for funding.  It is ridiculous that Transit and Leland have
been the only groups allowed to present.  

The City Council needs to recognize the obvious oppression of Mayor Chavez on his own flock- in getting
the road numbers lowered in not presenting the correct funding needs for road repairs etc...  I believe
that the City Council needs to invite Storm Drainage Department head to City Council meeting for a full
report.  Please don't buy into the argument even if from the Head of Storm Drainage that there is adequate
funding for storm drainage.  All you need to do is turn on the nightly news (after rain storms, etc.) to know
that is not true!!!


KC





-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://noreste.org/pipermail/members_noreste.org/attachments/20080904/d1a4978c/attachment.html