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Residents urge council to appoint stormwater appeals board after sinkhole complaint; petitioner seeks expedited review
Summary
During public comment a resident said a sinkhole on private property is worsening and requested the stormwater-appeals board described in the stormwater ordinance be appointed; the complainant asked council to ensure appointments are not stacked by ward and to begin hearings in April.
Multiple speakers used the public-comment period at the March 3 council meeting to ask the council to act on stormwater complaints and to appoint the appeals board described in the city’s stormwater ordinance.
Ernestine "Queen" Pittman spoke for resident Willie Jackson about a sinkhole at 2424 Greenwood Circle. Pittman cited the stormwater management ordinance language on administrative appeals and judicial review, saying the ordinance contemplated an appeals board appointed by the mayor and council to hear disputes about Department of Public Works determinations. She urged council to appoint residents to serve as an appeals board within 45 days, and to ensure appointees come from across wards so appointments aren’t concentrated in a single ward.
Pittman said the sinkhole is growing and asked that the council provide a timely appointment and hearing. She also noted the city’s charter and procedural expectations for the city manager’s budget presentation in April, connecting a desire for clearer council roles with operational-level decisions.
Nut graf: A resident’s appeal at public comment asked the council to activate an appeals board provided for in the stormwater ordinance and to begin hearings within the ordinance’s 45-day timeline; the council did not take a formal vote on the request during the meeting but acknowledged the concern and indicated staff will follow up.
Ending
Council members acknowledged the complaint and discussed next steps for staff and legal review; the council asked staff to look into the ordinance language and related procedures and to report back.
