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KIRKSVILLE, MO -- The City of Kirksville held their second, and final, storm water solutions open house on Tuesday. 92 citizens gathered at the Telecommunications Resource Center on South Franklin Street to voice their concerns regarding storm drainage issues.  The main issues discussed included a storm water managements plan and potential solutions for eight main problem areas.  

“The eight known problem areas have turned into 21 individual projects” said City Engineer Carl Brooks.  “The engineer has come up with some alternative solutions as to what could be done.  These are not final by any means but it is a start to the process.”

Brooks said some of the solutions included hard piping which would convey the storm water, building retaining ponds which would slow down the amount of water, and using rain guards.

“I think even though the storm was not welcome” said Brooks, “it was timely, and obviously, it will help bring attention.”

Kirksville is using $2.24 million in bonds issued through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to address storm drainage issues.  With help from a consulting firm, the city has identified eight priority areas most prone to flooding when it rains.

Kirksville Public Works Director John Backwater said most of the projects will start in spring 2011, however some smaller projects may start in the fall.