Stormwater fee funded sinkhole repair on Trenton Way, staff says

Staff described how stormwater fees visible on water bills fund inspections and repairs after severe weather, and detailed a recent sinkhole repair on Trenton Way. A staff member said residents who spot possible stormwater problems should call 311 or the utility hotline referenced in the segment for direction.

According to a staff speaker, when a weather event or homeowner report indicates a problem, residents "call it in to 855 rain" and an inspector is dispatched to assess the situation. The staff member said the inspector used a camera to examine the storm pipe, located utilities, removed the damaged section and replaced it with HP storm pipe; crews then backfilled the excavation and prepared the area for new sod. The staff member said an inspection team systematically inspects storm piping on a five-year cycle and will proactively repair degrading pipe to prevent sinkholes.

The staff member explained the funding source: "Your storm fee you'll see on the bottom of your water bill, that's what's going directly to this. It pays for our equipment, for the gas, pays for the trucks, it pays for the pipe that we're putting in the ground." The segment also advised that if 311 determines the issue is not stormwater-related, callers will be directed to the appropriate agency or number.

No formal votes or policy changes were discussed in the segment. The remarks were informational, describing routine inspection cycles, a recent repair on Trenton Way following a hurricane, and how stormwater fees are applied to equipment, materials and labor for repairs.

Residents with concerns about standing water, sinkholes or collapsed ground were directed to call 311 for guidance or the hotline referenced in the segment.