The City of Eustis on a unanimous roll call ratified emergency actions to stabilize a catastrophic culvert collapse at the Spring Ridge Estates homeowners association, approving Resolution 25-97 to authorize emergency entry, procurement and a framework for cost recovery from the HOA.

City Attorney Sasha told the commission the resolution affirms the city manager’s emergency actions under Florida Statute sec. 252.38, preserves eligibility for federal or state assistance if available, and establishes that the city will seek repayment from the HOA’s insurance proceeds and reserves or by a special-assessment mechanism if necessary. She told the commission the emergency steps were taken ‘‘to protect the health and safety of residents and preserve public utilities.’’

Public works and utilities staff described an active, worsening failure that threatened a subdivision force main and the lift station that serves the neighborhood. Rick (City utilities/public works) said crews observed a dam breach and multiple pump failures; he told the commission that acting quickly could keep repairs ‘‘under a half million’’ dollars but that ‘‘if we lose everything, we’re upwards of a million dollars.’’ Rick said a contractor is standing ready and estimated that work could restore access in about two weeks if the city provided immediate authorization.

Chief Michael Swanson and other staff recounted coordinated emergency response after the Oct. 26 rain event, including expanded EOC activation, temporary shelters for displaced residents and concentrated efforts to protect water and sewer infrastructure. Commissioners and residents described multiple road washouts and localized failures revealed as crews progressed with emergency stabilization.

Commission debate focused on the city’s authority to incur emergency costs on private property, the legal structures to avoid an unlawful donation of public funds, and the mechanics of repayment. The city attorney said the proposed agreement would be structured as a secured repayment obligation, with options such as HOA special assessments and non-ad valorem collection mechanisms available if the HOA’s insurance or reserves did not cover expenses.

HOA counsel Nick Donkas and management representative Beverly attended and said the HOA was engaged in the process and exploring insurance and reserve uses. HOA and city representatives agreed that private lending or bank financing could prove cumbersome and slow in the short time window. Several commissioners urged rapid action, and one commissioner said they wanted displaced residents back in their homes ‘‘by Thanksgiving’’ if possible.

Formal action: the commission moved, seconded and approved Resolution 25-97 on roll call, authorizing staff to finalize a reimbursement agreement with the Spring Ridge HOA and to proceed with emergency procurement to protect public utilities and restore access. The city stressed the work is an emergency response, not a transfer of long-term maintenance responsibility.

What happens next: staff said contractors are ready to mobilize and will begin construction once the city finalizes the procurement steps and an HOA agreement is authorized; staff will present the written agreement terms to the commission and provide regular cost and progress updates.