The lone action item on the agenda for Monday’s City Council meeting is discussion of flooding issues in the Iron Creek subdivision, but some Iron Creek residents likely will be looking for more than just discussion.
For about 10 years, Iron Creek residents have complained about flooding in the wakes of heavy rains.
In those 10 years, flooding and drainage problems have plagued the Iron Creek community, which is a part of the city. Iron Creek’s flooding and drainage problems have been blamed on ill-designed drainage ditches, beaver dams and the clogged Mitchell Branch on the south side of U.S. Highway 264. City public-works crews have done some work over the years, helping alleviate the problem.
City officials have informed Iron Creek residents some causes of the problem are out of the city’s jurisdiction and purview.
“One of the things that we need to do is go back and get all the historical data that we’ve had,” Councilman Bobby Roberson said Thursday. “I think, thanks to the city manager, we’ve contacted the (U.S. Army) Corps of Engineers. … They’re looking at all the different approaches to solving that problem or at least minimizing the flooding issues in Iron Creek. You know, we’ve been dealing with it off and on for 10 years. I think it’s time for the city to actually step up and do what we need to do to help those folks out in that subdivision.”
Roberson said City Manager Josh Kay met with Corps of Engineers representatives Thursday afternoon.
Iron Creek resident Charles Daniels appeared before the council during its July 23 meeting to once again complain about the flooding problem.
“I’m here to talk about Iron Creek again. It’s getting worse. It’s not getting no better. We need some help, and we’re not getting any help,” Daniels told the council then.
The flooding poses safety hazards and damages property, including vehicles, Daniels said.
“If there’s not going to be anything done — we’re at your guys’ mercy,” Daniels said then.