Residents voice storm drain concerns on Magnolia Drive at city council meeting

The City of Richmond, Kentucky, held a commission meeting on April 8, 2025, addressing several community concerns and city management updates. The meeting began with a resident, Ethan Connolly, voicing concerns about persistent storm drain issues on Magnolia Drive, particularly after recent heavy rainfall. Connolly described how the storm drain overflowed during storms, causing significant water accumulation on the street and encroaching into his yard. He noted that both the Public Works department and local police had previously responded to similar incidents, but the problem persists, particularly with drainage from a nearby church parking lot.

Connolly highlighted the need for further investigation into the storm drain's functionality, mentioning that the ground around the drain appears to be deteriorating. City officials acknowledged the issue and committed to having the road department assess the situation, including potential camera inspections to determine the cause of the drainage problems.

Following Connolly's presentation, the city manager provided updates on various administrative matters. He announced the commencement of department budget meetings for the fiscal year 2026, which will take place over the next two weeks. Additionally, he mentioned that a final draft of the personnel policy update is expected to be reviewed by the end of April, with plans to vote on it thereafter.

The city manager also shared that a new city website is set to launch on April 22, aiming to improve public access to information. Furthermore, he reported on the kickoff of a comprehensive five-year planning initiative, which will involve outreach to local stakeholders, including Eastern Kentucky University and the Chamber of Commerce, to form a steering committee. This committee will hold several meetings, along with two public sessions to encourage community participation.

The meeting concluded with a call for community involvement in the upcoming planning processes, emphasizing the importance of public input in shaping the city's future.