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Residents say water-main break flooded basements; city cites statutory immunity and offers neighborhood meeting
Summary
Multiple Grand Rapids residents described severe basement flooding after a June 13 water-main break, reporting thousands in damages and denied claims; Deputy City Attorney Straub cited governmental-immunity limits and suggested private counsel, while the city manager apologized and proposed a neighborhood meeting to explore assistance options outside formal claims.
Several Grand Rapids residents used the commission's public-comment period on Aug. 13 to describe extensive property damage from a June 13 city water-main break and to criticize the city's denial of their claims.
Jane Griffin, who said professional estimates of her household's damage exceed $25,000, said the city's August 23 denial letter stated the city had determined it was "entitled to statutory immunity." "This file is now closed," Griffin said she was told in the letter; she urged the commission to reconsider.
Other residents described similar losses, including…
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