Resident raises flooding concerns at Pinehurst; board directs engineer to inspect

Resident Shari Perkins told the River Ridge Community Development District Board on July 23 that one week after a street drain was plugged, drainage problems persist at the Pinehurst monument area and water has been “nearly 1 foot above the drain.” She said another resident, Fred Kronke, reported a retention pond draining between River 8 and River 9 appears non-functional and is ponding close to the drain.

District Engineer John Baker explained the inlet that had been plugged previously stopped water from being pushed through the pipe; with no downstream outlet, he said the result is effectively “a very tiny pond in a pipe.” Baker told the board a further engineering study is likely needed to determine a permanent fix and asked staff and residents to provide photos and video to document flooding instances.

The board asked Ms. Perkins to provide video evidence and directed CDD staff to have the District Engineer view the drainage firsthand. Chuck Adams (District Manager) said MRI Construction plugged the end of one pipe and staff will correct the meeting financials to reflect that only one pipe was plugged, not two. An estimate from MRI Construction (Estimate #C060-24) for $10,692.88 to install a Type 9 inlet top intended to keep debris from blocking the structure was presented and will remain on the agenda while staff seeks a second proposal.

The board did not take a formal vote to approve construction work at the meeting; instead staff were directed to collect evidence, pursue additional proposals, and report back with engineering recommendations at a future meeting.