Council presses administration for timeline on flood-relief money, orders stormwater audit and seeks resurfacing funds restored

Several councilmembers used the meeting’s closing period to press the administration for faster action on flood-relief funding, demand a written timetable for distribution, and request additional staff work on stormwater maintenance and the city’s resurfacing program.

Councilman Juan Viera asked for a staff report on July 31 that details when the mayor’s proposed $2 million in homeowner assistance for flood victims will become available and how the program will operate. He and others said an earlier $3.2 million appropriation remains constrained by federal rules and excluded many affected middle-income homeowners; the new proposed funding is intended to be more flexible.

Council also directed staff to include a stormwater audit discussion on the July 31 agenda and asked key operations staff to attend. Councilwoman Michelle Hertek asked that department heads provide an equipment-inventory schedule, maintenance activity description and vendor spending summary so council can judge service capacity and gaps.

Separately, the council adopted a motion to ask the administration to present a financial resolution at the July 31 meeting to restore $2.5 million to street resurfacing from the FY2024 allocated fund balance, producing a proposed total of $5 million for resurfacing. Council members emphasized persistent constituent complaints about potholes and road conditions and said paving is a high priority.

In related items, council requested written clarification on the status and funding of a city disability-internship program that has had limited implementation despite earlier appropriations, asking whether funds should move from social-action special funds to the general fund to secure a permanent, city-run internship.