Council Wrapup: Flood concerns, budget and cleaning bids

Several members of the public raised concerns about recent flooding at the Sept. 11 city council meeting. A major issue brought up by several residents was  flooding, specifically in the Randol Mill Road area, which flooded with the recent rains.

Julie Amendola, owner of Trinity River Farm and Equestrian Center on Randol Mill Road, described flooding on her property as nearly catastrophic. At her facility, which she has owned for 13 years, she boards and trains horses, teaches riding lessons to people of all ages, including special-needs individuals, and offers other activities.

Amendola said the flooding was largely the result of rainwater runoff from a nearby development and that it threatens her livelihood.

She said that with the threat of flooding from the Trinity River on the east side, she now has to worry about flooding from both sides.

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“I don’t expect the city to be responsible for Mother Nature,” she said, but “we now have flood potential from two directions.”

Robert Horton, chairman of the Randol Mill Valley Alliance, called for tightening of residential development storm standards for water retention.

“It’s not working,” he said.

City officials addressed the recent flash flooding that resulted in three deaths, including a mother and child who drowned. Also, an elderly man died. All were in their vehicles.

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Officials have said it could have been a 50-to-100-year flood event.

BUDGET VOTE

The council is set to vote on the annual budget at its meeting on Sept. 18.

CLEANING BIDS REJECTED

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The carpets in city buildings will be cleaned, but who will do it remains to be seen.

The city council rejected all bids for carpet cleaning and emergency restoration for all city departments because they were not advertised for 28 days since there was a Minority/Women Business Enterprise goal. The work was originally posted for bidding on July 11, 18 and 25, and reopened on July 30. The purchasing division recommended rejecting all five bids that were received.