Even during the current dry spell in Monroe County, water was still on the minds of Columbia officials during last Tuesday’s meeting of the Columbia City Council.

Following discussion during the Aug. 19 meeting, aldermen approved an amendment to city code which added language to final construction plats regarding water drainage systems when submitted to the Monroe County Clerk’s Office.

As Columbia City Administrator Doug Brimm explained, the amendment is meant to lessen liability on the city and keep developers responsible for engineering plans designed to reduce the impact of water runoff.

He further noted the language will address the practice of constructing water drainage systems which differ from those on the approved plans – something Brimm said has happened recently in the city.

A major factor in the city’s recent water concerns was the flooding which accompanied a July storm, although one resident was on hand to state he has experienced construction-related flooding on his property for over a year.

Carl Woodcock spoke during public comment about a problem he has at his home near the intersection of North Briegel and East Rauch streets involving what he described as an incorrectly installed drain pipe.

He shared pictures with aldermen of his basement, which Woodcock says has been inundated with water several times in the past few years during heavy rain.

“My viewpoint is, the city put this pipe in the wrong way by leaving a large berm there… a year and a half ago,” Woodcock stated as a reason for the repeated flooding of his home’s basement. “Does that mean I should be paid back for all my damages?” 

Woodcock’s son-in-law was also in attendance, and offered a different perspective on the matter.

“To watch (Woodcock) battle this year over year and to still have the problem, to see him have things ruined, to have to help my mother-in-law dry out her old wedding photos, trying to save things that mean a lot… It’s time to stop looking at the problems. It’s time to fix them. We’ve put some band-aids on them, but I don’t feel like it’s being addressed properly,” he said.

In response to Woodcock’s situation, the city has conducted a study of the drainage system using engineering firm Gonzalez Companies LLC.

The findings of the study were up for discussion during the Sept. 3 meeting.

Brimm said the city is “working with Gonzalez (Companies) to find the best approach to address those issues which have now been encountered and observed,” referring specifically to the issues described by Woodcock in regard to drainage.

In other business, aldermen approved a resolution which now makes vaping at school a city ordinance violation.

According to the agenda item report, the city was contacted by the Columbia school district through Columbia Police Department School Resource Officer Tyler McWhorter to “encourage the city to adopt an ordinance prohibiting the possession of alternative nicotine products by minors.”

McWhorter addressed the council, noting that use of electronic nicotine devices has become “rampant,” and one way to combat the use of such devices at the school is making it an ordinance violation. 

McWhorter mentioned the City of Waterloo has a similar system in place to address the same issue in Waterloo schools. 

At Columbia High School, McWhorter said the current system often results in students being suspended out of school, although “being in the (school) building” is ultimately best for students. 

McWhorter said making possession or use of alternative nicotine products a citable offense would be a better deterrent as well as a way to avoid forced school absences.

Brimm explained that Columbia City Attorney Terry Bruckert would act as prosecuting attorney for the municipality rather than having it sent to the Monroe County State’s Attorney.

The punishment would be a fine of $100 up to $750, although Brimm said there would be a push to implement community service rather than a monetary fine, especially for first-time offenders.

Ward II Alderman Michael Lawlor agreed with the community service aspect, speculating that some students who have affluent parents would be able to pay the fine and not be deterred from further violations.

Lawlor added the idea of being seen by classmates cleaning trash off sidewalks, for example, might carry more weight with potential offenders.

The ordinance was approved unanimously.

In other city business, the long-awaited Creekside Park project is almost ready for construction according to Columbia Engineer Chris Smith, who spoke to residents last Wednesday during a standing room only public information meeting at City Hall.

Smith told the Republic-Times he hopes to launch construction late this fall, although the project will likely be ongoing through next summer. He added the entire schedule is weather dependent.

Creekside Park will be on a 17-acre tract located along Rueck Road, situated between the Creekside and Wilson Hills subdivisions.

Plans include a two-acre lake, off-street parking, picnic pavilion, playspace and walking trail.

The park has been in the works for over a decade. 

The city had secured a $400,000 grant for the park in 2019, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced the city to forego that funding due to impractical time limitations.

Smith applied for and was awarded a new $600,000 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grant in 2023 with a possible Transportation Alternative Grant also in the works.  

The next meeting of the Columbia City Council is Monday, Sept. 16, beginning at 7 p.m. at City Hall.

The meetings are also livestreamed through the city’s Facebook page, City of Columbia, IL – Government.