Residents press commission on stormwater hazards; staff outlines gabion repairs and follow-up

During the citizen-input period several Dunedin residents urged faster responses to recurring stormwater problems.

Key complaints: Laura Wesley (1161 Palm Boulevard) told the commission she slipped in an accumulation of sludge at her driveway after repeated, unresolved overland drainage and asked for a storm drain; she said she had documented the issue in emails to staff dating to July and threatened possible legal action if it remained unaddressed. Jim Cowger (2092 Valley Drive) described ongoing soil loss, bulging gabion baskets and standing water in Briar Creek that he says is destabilizing his property; he said he has trucked in dirt to temporarily shore his yard and that his claim is in mediation.

Staff response: Sue Bartlett, Public Works Director, and engineering staff reported on inspections and interim repairs. Bartlett said engineering, maintenance and risk-management staff have evaluated the Briar Creek gabion system, performed cleaning on the creek where appropriate, and prioritized a list of gabion sites for repair. She said some gabion baskets have failed in places and engineering is pursuing appropriate repairs; risk-management is evaluating claims for damaged private property. Bartlett also said staff found overland flow that enters properties in the area and restored sod at a cleaned-out access — and that the creek was flowing but had localized debris and bulging gabion baskets that warrant repair.

Outcome and next steps: City staff told the commission they will follow up with the individuals who spoke, will continue prioritizing gabion repairs across the system, and will coordinate additional outreach to homeowners in the affected areas. The commission asked staff to reach back to Ms. Wesley promptly and to provide an update to the commission on prioritized gabion repairs.