Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Cdbg Meadows topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Muskogee council approves CDBG disaster‑recovery applications for Meadows stormwater plan and voluntary buyouts
Summary
The City of Muskogee approved two Community Development Block Grant disaster‑recovery applications to fund a stormwater master‑plan study and a voluntary housing buyout program for The Meadows subdivision stemming from May 2022 flooding; both grants require no mandatory city match.
Muskogee — The City of Muskogee on Dec. 8 approved two Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) disaster‑recovery applications related to flooding in The Meadows neighborhood, authorizing staff to submit a stormwater master‑plan study and a voluntary housing buyout and demolition proposal to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.
At a public hearing, city staff described the two grants as disaster‑recovery funds addressing the May 2022 storm event that heavily affected The Meadows. Staff said the stormwater grant would fund engineering and a mitigation plan — for example bridge redesign and feasibility work such as dredging — but not the construction needed to fully correct flood vulnerabilities. The housing component was described as voluntary; eligibility would be determined by the Department of Commerce under its criteria, not by the city.
"I want to emphasize the word voluntary," City staff presenter Mister Rigney said, describing buyouts as an opt‑in option for eligible homeowners rather than a mandatory program.
Councilors asked whether the city had done a subdivision‑specific study before; staff said previous work included partial master‑drainage projects but not a dedicated Meadows study, and noted the area lies in a floodway and floodplain, which would require extensive engineering. The council closed the public hearing after receiving no public signups and voted to approve the grant applications by roll call.
Why this matters: The engineering study could guide future capital projects and identify where targeted buyouts would most reduce flood risk. The grants were described as 0% city match programs, though staff said the city may offer a voluntary match to strengthen applications. The council approved the applications as presented and did not commit city construction funds at this meeting.
The council did not set specific funding beyond application authorization; the next steps are for staff to finalize the applications and submit materials required by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce for CDBG disaster‑recovery consideration.
