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Residents urge drainage upgrades; task force asks staff to follow up
Summary
Public commenters and task force members pressed staff to prioritize drainage projects in neighborhood budgets and mitigation planning after presentations noting flood risk; staff said the town has a current drainage plan and Gavin will coordinate follow‑up.
Thomas Barnwell Jr. and other residents used the public‑comment period to ask the task force to press the town to budget for drainage improvements in neighborhoods that have experienced chronic flooding. "Please... make sure that this year's budget, as well as next year's budget, will be addressing drainage in every community that each of you represent," Barnwell said, citing specific neighborhoods including Grasslawn and Spanish Row.
Louise Mille Cohen and other commenters thanked staff for programs and urged the task force to ensure communications reach residents at home and through churches. In response, the Chair asked Sharonica Gavin to discuss a strategy and data so the group could understand the scope of drainage needs and consider a potential letter or position to support neighborhood drainage funding. A task force member noted the town already maintains a current drainage plan and suggested staff piggyback on existing work to identify priority projects.
Why this matters: residents argued drainage is a precondition for other neighborhood improvements and mitigation work; task force members sought data‑driven next steps to pursue budget or grant support.
Next steps: Gavin will review relevant data and staff will discuss a strategy for raising the matter with council and in grant applications.
