Board pulls 3 Oaks Pond park conversion from action after questions about funding and priorities

City staff presented a design to grade and pipe 3 Oaks Pond (at Pheasant and Meadowlark) to repurpose an acre‑and‑a‑half detention pond for community use after earlier drainage work diverted inflow to a nearby lake. The design was prepared by Lanier Engineering and staff said the conversion would allow the area to be used for community activities.

Several commissioners pushed back on using stormwater funds for what they called a recreation or amenity project. One commissioner said the item is effectively a recreation project rather than a drainage fix and voiced opposition to funding it from stormwater resources while other flooding problems remain in Valencia and South Madison. Staff acknowledged the concern and agreed to pull the item and return with a prioritized list of stormwater capital projects, funding availability and schedule updates for other projects.

Staff also described other pending stormwater projects (Shannon Pond, Valencia, Allison and Madison, Old Dawson/North Doublegate) and said the pond conversion would be considered within the larger prioritization of stormwater capital work. The board asked staff for a monthly capital-project update so commissioners can better track project stages and funding.