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Mayor details status of river flooding projects and calls for county, state cooperation
Summary
Mayor Williams outlined steps the village has taken to reduce flooding, described recent site visits and a report identifying problem bridges, and said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' planned projects stalled after the state declined an 18% cost-share; he urged continued intergovernmental coordination to remove hazards and speed water flow.
Mayor Williams spoke at length about ongoing flood‑mitigation work along the river corridor, summarizing a recent report that identified chronic flooding spots and recommending removal of unused small bridges that trap debris and back water up into neighborhoods.
Williams said volunteers, the village highway department and neighboring municipal crews have removed trees and debris from the river channel where permitted, but that larger projects require funding and intergovernmental cooperation. He said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed engineering studies and designs but federal law requires the state to provide a cost share (described in the meeting as 18 percent). According to the mayor, the state declined to pay that share, halting federal progress on later phases of a planned three‑project sequence.
The mayor described several short‑term measures that could reduce flooding, including removal of two small bridges where ownership has been identified; he said a private landowner offered to remove these structures at no cost and the village would assist, but noted the village currently lacks funding to carry out larger projects. He added that removing choke points and clearing debris should improve local drainage until larger federal projects proceed.
Williams also argued that the economic impact of repeated closures extends beyond individual properties, citing instances when large commercial traffic and supply chains were disrupted by river flooding.
No formal board action was taken during the mayor's remarks; the discussion was presented as an update on ongoing intergovernmental efforts and site assessments, and the mayor asked staff to continue coordination with the county and state to pursue bridge removals and other short‑term work.
The mayor said he will continue to report progress to the board as state or federal decisions change.
