Russell council discusses flooding, approves raises

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June 22, 2009

By KATIE BRANDENBURG The Daily Independent Mon Jun 22, 2009, 10:30 PM EDT

RUSSELL — The Russell City Council discussed drainage issues after heavy rains in the area two weeks ago.

The council also approved the 2009-10 budget and a new compensation scale for city employees.

Two people addressed the council about drainage issues during a section of the meeting open to the audience. Both issues are ongoing problems made worse by heavy rains.

Mayor Bill Hopkins promised to come to both properties to inspect them and see what can be done, but no solutions were proposed.

Dr. Sanjiv Gupta of Russell said the basement of his house has flooded about three times since he bought the house on Sparrow Court eight years ago. It flooded most recently two weeks ago after heavy rains.

He said the problem comes from the city not clearing or cleaning drains, which caused water to back up into his pipes.

“We know that we are stuck there and we are hurting really bad financially, emotionally and physically,” Gupta said.

He said the flooding had caused damage to his basement as well as mold growth.

Gupta said he hoped the city could do something to protect his house.

Council member Dave Kersey said the problem might stem from a drainage ditch that used to exist behind Gupta’s home but was filled in during the construction of another house.

Hopkins said he would look into the situation, but the city might be limited in its response because some of the problems might stem from private property owned by individuals or the Russell Independent School District.

Gupta said, while he felt council members listened to him, he didn’t feel he got a concrete response from them about a solution.

Dr. Juett Cooper of Russell said drainage at a house across the street from his on Verna Drive is causing flooding. Water runs across the street and into his lawn because the house was constructed in a bowl-shaped area and there are springs under it.

The problem has prevented him from insuring a landscaping project, he said.

It also causes an area on the road where vehicles can easily hydroplane and wreck, he said.

“It’s causing us a lot of problems and it’s a danger to the community in my opinion,” Cooper said.

Hopkins also promised to inspect Cooper’s property.

After hearing from the audience, the council passed the city’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year unanimously. The 2009-10 budget estimates total revenues will be about $3.8 million. The city expects to have $35,179.78 in excess funds at the end of the fiscal year.

The budget goes into effect on July 1 and didn’t change after its first reading on June 8.

The council also unanimously approved a 3.2 percent raise for all city employees.

KATIE BRANDENBURG can be reached at kbrandenburg@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2657.

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