Several residents who live along the Cedar Creek drainage system told commissioners on July 17 they have suffered property damage after the ditch eroded and gabion baskets that stabilize the bank failed.
Resident Jim Cowger described cracked floors and other damage to his home and presented documents to the clerk showing an estimated cost for underpinning and repairs. “This is neglect at its finest,” he said. Neighbors Gloria Settlemeyer and others described decades of deterioration, overgrowth, and prior temporary fills that washed out during recent rains; one resident said heavy rain had washed away material that staff had placed only days earlier.
City Manager and staff responded that public‑works crews had inspected the ditch (including a drone inspection conducted in March), removed overgrowth to restore conveyance, and that the city has made progress identifying funding: staff said the city has obtained an award from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for gabion repair (staff cited $890,000 for specific gabion repairs and said the city’s broader HMGP ask for gabion projects totaled several million dollars). The manager said staff will meet with property owners for longer‑term solutions and pursue additional funding sources.
Staff asked residents to contact the city manager’s office to arrange site visits; commissioners said the issue will be discussed further in budget workshops.
Ending: Residents requested permanent piping of the channel as a long‑term fix; staff said they would continue inspections, discuss long‑term options, and pursue HMGP and other funding to repair gabions and stabilize banks.