Cleves moves to meet Ohio EPA after MS4 citation; residents press for repairs to Coleman Woods detention ponds

Mayor Chuck Burkhley told the Village of Cleves Council that the village was cited by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency for failing to notify the agency after withdrawing from the Hamilton County stormwater district and must file a draft stormwater plan by April 1, 2025.

The citation traces to the village—s withdrawal from the county stormwater district in 2014, Burkhley said, and the village did not apply for the MS4 (municipal separate storm sewer system) permit required for communities that discharge stormwater. "I did meet with Choice 1 Engineering and the Ohio EPA in late March 2024. And they were very helpful," Burkhley said during his State of the Village remarks.

Why it matters: without an MS4 permit and an approved stormwater management plan, the village faces continuing requirements from Ohio EPA and must address deferred maintenance on catch basins, detention ponds and outfalls. Burkhley said the village now is working with engineer Jeff Vatter and Ohio EPA representative Michelle Flaniger to address deficiencies and finalize a plan; Council adopted an ordinance later in the meeting that accepts the Hamilton County Stormwater District rules and was recorded as an emergency adoption (Ordinance 10-2025).

Council and staff described the practical consequences for residents. The mayor said the village has not charged a stormwater fee since 2014, so routine maintenance has come from the general fund. He identified multiple maintenance shortfalls: catch basins that needed replacement, detention ponds that are holding water when they should not, and silt-clogged channels. Burkhley gave a specific example: the village replaced six catch basins last year at roughly $4,000 each.

Several residents described experience with erosion and failing detention infrastructure in the Coleman Woods / Golden Woods area. A resident who identified himself as Joe said the detention basin behind his neighborhood has been clogged and dangerous for years: "I've been asking for help for probably 19 years," he said during public comment. Council and staff described six detention ponds in Golden Woods, four of which the mayor said were retaining water; the mayor also said the ponds are located on about 17 residential parcels and that those homeowners face an uncertain maintenance burden.

Options discussed: Burkhley and Village Administrator Justin Haidig said the next steps include completing the MS4 plan, working with JMA (the village—s prior engineer) and the Ohio EPA, and then determining whether local stormwater assessments, a homeowners association or other funding mechanism will be necessary to pay for ongoing maintenance. "We're going to have to reassess what the annual contribution is for stormwater assessment," Haidig said; he said a public session will be scheduled after the plan is adopted so residents can comment on funding and maintenance options.

What the council did: Council adopted Ordinance 10-2025, an ordinance adopting and accepting the rules and regulations of the Hamilton County Stormwater District, by roll-call vote (see "Votes at a glance" for the formal tally). Burkhley said filing the plan and report with Ohio EPA by April 1 is only the first step and that actual maintenance of ponds and channels will be a long-term effort.

The village administrator and council members asked residents with site-specific concerns to attend the upcoming public session on the stormwater plan so the village can collect local information to include in the MS4 program.

Ending: Council members and staff told residents they recognize the problem and that the village will hold further public meetings once the MS4 submission and the village—s draft plan are finalized. The mayor urged affected homeowners and other residents to attend the forthcoming public session to help shape funding and maintenance decisions.