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Easement negotiations to advance for 17th Oklahoma Street drainage; owner attorney to coordinate
Summary
Councilors said they will pursue an easement for a downstream property that has blocked drainage on 17th Oklahoma Street; staff and attorneys will coordinate with the owner who is reportedly in Texas to finalize agreements and decide whether solutions will be temporary or permanent.
Councilors discussed long-running drainage problems on 17th Oklahoma Street and directed staff to advance easement negotiations after confirming the downstream property owner can be reached and represented by counsel.
The chair summarized that the downstream drain remained plugged and that previous efforts over several years had not fully solved the issue. A council member reported that the owner (a woman living in Texas) was present recently and that the council’s attorney and the owner’s attorney (Trevor Henson) will coordinate with staff (Chase) to execute easement paperwork.
Council members debated whether a temporary fix or a permanent easement is appropriate. Staff and the mayor warned that temporary measures might require repeated maintenance and recommended permanent drainage easements to reduce recurring work. The council directed staff to have attorneys contact each other and advance the agreement process.
Staff also described site cleanup steps already taken—tree cutting, brush clearing and removal of debris—and noted some work will require skid-steer or other equipment to clear remaining obstructions. The council did not adopt a formal motion to fund construction at this meeting; the next steps are legal coordination and execution of easement documentation before any physical works are scheduled.
