Storm Lake’s Drainage District No. 13 remains at a standstill as city and county leaders clash over how to fix a collapsed tile near Expansion Boulevard.
The Storm Lake Drainage District Trustees met Monday night, holding a public hearing on the proposed project that includes three plans developed by Beck Engineering:
- A $655,000 repair that includes maintenance and manhole installations;
- A $1.5 million improvement designed for a 2-inch drainage coefficient;
- And a $2.4 million upgrade, recommended in Beck Engineering’s report, aimed at handling peak rainfall events.
City Manager Keri Navratil says this is the city’s first time handling a drainage district complaint.
Dave Schmitz, representing Tyson Foods, said the company only asked for a simple fix, which is what led to the proposed project.
However, trustees say the district is governed by state drainage law—not city storm water rules.
Drainage District Attorney Ryan Buske said the trustees have three options: repair, improvement—or give the district back to the county.
Buena Vista County Drainage Engineer Brian Blomme warned the city’s preferred plan could saddle some landowners with assessments as high as $13,000 per acre.
Business owners expressed frustration over the lack of clear communication.
During the weekly Buena Vista County Board of Supervisors meeting yesterday morning, Blomme noted that the drainage trustees did not discuss the remonstrance document he previously prepared, which is a legal challenge that could halt the project if enough landowners sign on.
Blomme also questioned whether landowners were properly informed of their right to file written objections prior to Monday evening’s public hearing.
The board of supervisors remains opposed to the city’s plan and is pushing for a good-faith meeting between engineers and attorneys before the next hearing, tentatively set for Dec. 1.
