Board pulls Three Oaks Pond park repurposing from action after concerns about using stormwater funds

City staff presented a plan developed by Lanier Engineering to grade, pipe and fill portions of Three Oaks Pond (Pheasant and Meadowlark) so the roughly 1.5‑acre site could be repurposed for community use. Staff said the drainage that previously caused flooding had been diverted and the proposed design would not reintroduce the prior issue.

Several board members raised objections to using stormwater (SPLOST/stormwater) funds for what they characterized as a recreation project rather than a stormwater remediation project. The mayor and other members asked that the city present a prioritization of pending stormwater projects (including Valencia and South Madison) and a clear accounting of available funds before considering Three Oaks Pond for funding. "This is a recreation project," a member said, and several officials agreed to pull the item and ask staff to return with a prioritized list and project status updates.

Staff also noted several other stormwater projects in queue and said some had existing funding; board members requested a monthly update on capital projects to inform future agenda items and avoid perceived commingling of recreation and stormwater funds.