Supervisors OK buying property to help stop Foster Park flooding

This article was originally published by Ojai Valley News.

A $3.5 million project to alleviate destructive flooding in a small community near Foster Park took significant steps forward this week.

On Tuesday, Sept. 10, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors approved plans to purchase a 1.5-acre property in Camp Chaffee, along Coyote Creek; demolish structures located on the property; and construct a pilot channel to direct storm flow through the project area.

Following a public hearing, supervisors voted to consummate the sale of the Dennis and Susan Ryder property for $1.3 million and authorize the unconditional waiver and release of the Ryder’s claim for damages against the county.

The family had filed the $1.4 million tort claim contending that the severity of flooding caused by the January and February storms of 2023 was at least partly due to negligence by the county, a claim rejected by county officials.

Purchase of the property and release of the damage claim passed by a 5-0 vote, with no speakers for or against the action during the public hearing portion of the meeting.

In a second unanimous vote, supervisors approved plans and specifications for the Coyote Creek pilot-channel project, expected to cost an estimated $1.8 million. The project involves clearing debris along more than 3,000 feet of creek, removing about 21,000 cubic yards of material, and building a 1- to 3-foot-deep, 25-foot-wide pilot channel.

Plans to demolish a home and other structures on the Ryder property at a cost of $395,000 were also approved unanimously.

Funding for the Coyote Creek Pilot Channel Project is coming from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the California Office of Emergency Services, the Ventura County Community Foundation, and the Watershed Protection District, with a required funding match by the county.

On a fourth 5-0 vote, supervisors also approved a $2.9 million loan from the county general fund to the Ventura County Public Works Agency-Watershed Protection for cash flow until the NRCS grant is received, to complete the purchase of the Ryder property and construct the Coyote Creek pilot channel.

Escrow on the Ryder property was expected to close within 30 days, said Joan Araujo, director of central services with VCPWA. Demolition of the home and construction of the pilot channel need to be completed before the arrival of the rainy season, with work expected to begin before Oct. 31, according to Watershed Protection District Director Jeff Palmer.

The former general manager of the Ojai Valley Sanitary District, Palmer was making his first presentation before the board.