Council seeks solution for storm flooding

The council is seeking a way to storm-proof the area of town around High Mile Road, where heavy rains have made it clear that a significant drainage issue exists.

The problem was brought before the council a month ago, when a resident requested attention on the water jumping the curb with no gutter to catch it, which has led to flooding in nearby homes.

He asked if there might be a possibility of adding drainage in the area. Brooks agreed that this is an issue that is also happening in the downtown, perhaps because roofs these days are larger than they used to be.

Public Works Director Mac Erickson was asked to take a look at the area in question – specifically an s-shaped bend near where the road comes out onto Hwy 14.

He reported last week that he had done so, but that there is no simple solution to the drainage problem because it is surrounded by other buildings that would suffer the consequences if water was redirected.

Mayor Paul Brooks pondered the idea of securing an easement from one such landowner and digging a storm sewer; other ideas, such as additional curb, were also considered.

However, in all cases, funding will be problematic.

“Like I say, there’s precious little money but we may be able to go look for [a State Loans and Investments Board grant] or look for some kind of funding,” said Brooks.

The mayor spoke to drainage being a potentially ever-increasing issue throughout town.

“This storm sewer thing is going to blow up and there’s no way to fund it,” he said.

He explained that this is because the city’s hands are relatively tied as to how it uses funds, because proceeds from sewer must be spent on sewer, water on water and so on. Direct distribution from the state is therefore the only pot of money that can be used to match grants to improve the town.

Brooks suggested that a future solution could be to add a surcharge to city bills, similar to the one added to cell phone bills for 911, “so that we would accumulate some money – at least enough to match”.

He said that it would constitute the kind of emergency SLIB is there to fund because “Flooding people out is kind of a serious thing”, but it will still be necessary for the city to find funds for the match.

On the basis that a professional engineer would be visiting from city engineers Trihydro shortly, this particular issue was tabled until the council can hear his opinion.