Palm Coast committee votes to sunset itself; resident raises costly driveway culvert concern

The Palm Coast City committee voted to sunset the group and heard public comment Tuesday evening about residential drainage problems that left some homeowners facing costly culvert replacements.

James Evans, who said he lives in the neighborhood the group called the “R Section,” told the committee the city had told him his driveway culvert had deteriorated and that he had until May to replace it. "I'm probably in for $10,000 here," Evans said, describing standing water that he said backs up on his neighbor's lot and would not be solved by replacing only his pipe.

Committee members and staff explained the city's approach to culvert notices. A staff speaker described a three‑tier inspection practice: courtesy notices prompt reinspection after 365 days to monitor deterioration, while a 'red' designation for a collapsed culvert that blocks flow triggers a 90‑day replacement requirement. "If it's a red, which means the culvert has completely collapsed ... that gives you 90 days to replace that," the staff speaker said.

A committee representative identified herself as Lynn Stevens and outlined potential financial help through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, noting income limits apply and that accepted repairs are treated as a forgivable loan secured by a lien. Stevens said the program can cover safety repairs and described an annual forgiveness schedule under the loan terms; other speakers in the meeting expressed different recollections about whether forgiveness completes after five or ten years, and Stevens said staff would confirm the precise terms.

Staff also confirmed the city has begun approving high‑density polyethylene (HDPE) composite culvert pipe for new construction and cautioned that round HDPE pipe can require different elevations than oval aluminized corrugated metal pipe, sometimes creating a hump in shallow swales.

Committee members told residents they would follow up with code enforcement and the named staff contact (Gabriel) to verify individual notices and next steps. Lynn Stevens offered to take the resident’s contact information and to follow up directly.

Votes at a glance - Motion to approve minutes: motion made and seconded; members answered 'Aye' and the chair closed the vote (record shows affirmative responses). - Motion to sunset the committee: motion made, members answered 'Aye' and the chair closed the vote; the motion carried. - Motion to adjourn: motion made and seconded; members answered 'Aye' and the meeting adjourned.

The meeting closed after brief additional public remarks and thanks to staff for ongoing programs such as the infill‑lot closures and the city 'dirt giveaway.' Staff said they will follow up with the homeowners who raised drainage concerns.