Putting the pieces together after the June 20 council meeting.
Update: Stormwater Management in Hoover
June 20, 2022 during the council meeting, Mr. Lyda indicated that the council would consider something related to flooding and stormwater infrastructure that was brought before the council. It was unclear but possible this meant brought by city staff rather than by residents. Anyone can make the city aware of flooding or stormwater infrastructure at any time by contacting city staff or using My Hoover Connect.
Mr. Rice stated that there were 399 private claims from Oct. 6, previously Mr. Lyda has stated 390. Recently in the Hoover Sun, Mr. Reeves (the city engineer) stated there were 550. Mr. Rice stated that all 399 claims have not been brought to the council because all were on private property. He added that everything that has been analyzed is on private property. Why these numbers vary is unclear. Mr. Rice also stated that $400,000 was allocated for outside engineers, the previous number was $309,740. Mr. Lyda concluded by saying all claims from Oct. 6 have been analyzed and no more have “public purpose” as those are on private property. Thus, it seems the city has completed (or approved) all work related to Oct. 6.
However, there are at least three projects to repair or upgrade stormwater infrastructure that are on-going. These were brought to the city as a result of Oct. 6, and very recently funded by resolution for repair. So, it is possible that more work can and will be done with the proper motivation. The total budgeted for those three repairs or upgrades is more than $500,000.Resolution No. 5633-17
From Oct. 12, 2021 Mr. Rice made a variety of statements regarding the claims (the 390 or 399).
Dec. 6, Mr. Rice stated that the outside engineers were not there to prepare individual reports for every homeowner.
Dec. 20 Mr. Rice stated that homeowners who asked whether the problem was private or public would get information back from the engineer's reports.
January 3, 2022 Mr. Rice reiterated the point that property owners who asked for a determination would get one from the city engineers and attorneys.
Mr Shaw clarified by stating that all 390 cases were unique and the city was best to follow the process which was a case-by-case basis. (January 3, 2022)
So, don’t give up hope, this is a shifting landscape.
June 20, 2022, Mr. Posey stated that the contract awarded to Schoel Engineering at the last meeting was for extra engineering help. Implying that this might help residents. Mr. Rice corrected him saying the purpose was for help with FEMA and the flood management program.
At the June 6, 2022 council meeting the council approved $44,000 to Schoel Engineering to assist city engineers. Will this help flood victims or is the purpose to complete paperwork for the city? (no) In the fall of 2021 the city proposed $390,740 for outside engineers to assist; what benefit have you seen from this expenditure? The $44,000 is to pay Schoel until the end of the fiscal year (Sept) to work on FEMA flood maps and related work.