Resident says decades of redirected stormwater has flooded his yard; council asks staff to investigate

Denny Bullig, a longtime Brainerd City employee and resident, told the Brainerd City Council on Aug. 18 that stormwater from nearby streets has been routed into his backyard since changes around 2001, causing damage and loss of property value.

"My concern is I've lost thousands of dollars in value," Bullig said, adding that he and other affected property owners have continued to pay stormwater fees while runoff collects behind his home. He said a Crowing County easement covering part of his lot was described on an older plat as temporary and that past city and county decisions left the drainage unchanged.

Bullig presented a plat, said county engineers had communicated with the city in the past, and asked the council for direction. Council members asked for focused, up-to-date information rather than a decades-long oral history.

Council members moved to have city staff collect Bullig's materials, sit down with him and at least one other council member (and city staff), and return with a factual memo for the full council or the Safety & Public Works committee. The motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.

The council did not take a formal policy vote on remedies at the meeting; instead, staff were directed to gather plats, easement records and engineering notes and to report back so elected officials can consider options, including possible storm-sewer work or changes in maintenance responsibilities.

Next steps: staff will compile Bullig's documentation and meet with him and member(s) of council before returning the matter to an upcoming agenda or to the Safety & Public Works committee for further action.