Council approves CDBG-DR applications for Meadows stormwater study and voluntary housing buyouts

Council members voted Dec. 8 to authorize two Community Development Block Grant — Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR 2022) applications aimed at mitigating flood damage in the Meadows subdivision after the May 2022 storm.

City staff member Mister Rigby told the council the applications seek funds for (1) a stormwater master-plan study to hire engineering services to design larger fixes — including bridge redesigns and feasibility work such as dredging to improve flow — and (2) a voluntary housing buyout and demolition program for eligible properties. Rigby emphasized the word “voluntary,” saying the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and CDBG program will determine which houses meet eligibility criteria based on grant rules, not the city.

Councilors asked about prior studies and engineering complexity. Staff said the city has done drainage-related work historically but has not performed a subdivision-focused master study for The Meadows; the area lies in a floodway and floodplain, which will require significant engineering. Rigby said both grants require a 0% city match, though the city may offer a voluntary match to strengthen an application.

After public-question exchanges and council discussion, Councilor Dan Hall moved for approval. The motion passed on roll call; the recorded votes were all in favor.

Next steps: city staff will complete the required public-hearing checklist and submit the applications to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce as part of Muskogee’s CDBG-DR 2022 package. The grants, if awarded, are intended to fund planning and buyouts; physical mitigation work would require additional funding and engineering design beyond the grant’s planning scope.