VIENNA - Vienna City Council announced a plan Thursday to reduce flooding in the city.
The meeting began with a report by City Councilman Paul Thornton stating the city's funds are solvent. The meeting quickly progressed to talk of problem spots subjected to flooding in areas of the city.
The West Virginia Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council approved Vienna's application for financing for the rehabilitation of the city's 12th Street pump station on Sept. 6. City Recorder Randy Rapp said the pump station has not been improved since the 1980s, and was built in the '50s.
Rapp said the station will be completely renovated, a $1.64 million project. The city can undertake the project without a cost increase on water or sewer rates to residents.
"We are working with a camera system and hope to scan all existing water and sewer lines and find out where the trouble spots are," said Rapp.
Rapp said the renovated sewer plant should allow the city minimal upkeep for the next 30 to 40 years.
The city will begin to map out flooding areas, where water lies on streets and in areas of town. The project will include checking fire hydrants and replacing them if they aren't working, Rapp said.
The city will open bids today for paving 40th Street. The outcome will determine the paving and installing of a water retention system on 40th Street.
"When the street (40th) is paved the new asphalt should divert all the water to where we want it to go, instead of taking its own path," Rapp said.
Another flooding area that will be looked at is the playground behind Vienna Elementary School. The project should slow the water and take care of flooding at the end of Ninth Street, city officials said.
Residents expressed concern at the meeting about other areas of the city that become flooded. Rapp said the city would consider all the problem areas.
Rapp said by diverting the water and having the retention system in the ground, before paving the road, excess water would not overwhelm the streets. The 41st Street drain is one of the newest in the city, and should be able to handle additional water runoff, he said.
Vienna resident Kathy Stoltz reminded the council members of her invitation for them to attend the League of Women Voters' Meet the Candidates event on Oct. 9.
The election will take place Nov. 6, with early voting between Oct. 30 and Nov. 3 at the city building.
