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Resident urges Medina to act on failing lake outlet after near-fatal incident
Summary
A Medina resident told council that two teens were pulled into a failing lake outlet and urged the city to reinstate a repair plan and provide engineering and financing support, citing a 2005 ordinance that she says promised city responsibility for maintenance; the resident requested a Forest Meadows–style repayment assessment option.
At the city council meeting July 13, resident Jessica Carris described a near-fatal incident at a small lake behind the community pool on Guilford Drive in which two teenagers were pulled into a rusted drain and swept through the dam. Carris said neighbors narrowly prevented further loss of life and urged the city to act.
“My teenager was one of the two people that were pulled down into the drain when they were trying to clear debris, and the drain rusted and gave way,” Carris told council, identifying herself and giving her address. She said she has documentation of prior city assurances, including a 2004 request and a 2005 ordinance (cited in her remarks as ordinance 12-705) that she said promised the city would be responsible for maintenance and repair.
Carris said the parcel containing the outlet is owned by the community pool and that homeowners lack a mechanism to fund major repairs. She asked council to reinstate a plan similar to one used for Forest Meadows, in which homeowners would repay the city through a 20-year property assessment while the city provided engineering oversight and ensured safe repairs.
“Three people almost died,” Carris said, urging the council to act and asking for engineering assistance and financing because neighbors lack the resources or legal authority to undertake major dam repairs themselves. She said the city’s storm sewer system ties into the lake outlet and warned that improper repairs could compromise county wastewater infrastructure.
Council members did not adopt a formal motion in response during the public-comment segment; the matter was discussed in public comment and referenced later as an infrastructure and stormwater concern for which residents seek partnership. Council will decide next steps through staff follow-up processes and administrative channels.
