REXBURG – Reconstruction for local improvement districts have caused flooding in older homes, according to the city council public hearing on Jan. 18.
Local improvement districts, otherwise known as LIDs, are areas of the city that can be petitioned by locals for improvement, according to the City of Rexburg’s website.
Part of the LID’s construction process is to raise the sidewalks and roads for new buildings. However, this causes flooding for some homes due to incorrect elevation and poor water drainage.
“This has caused a great burden on us … our garage is 2 inches below the sidewalk,” said Tracy Olsen, a city local and opposer of LID 51. “All of the water will run towards our garage and into our basement. We have to bring in dirt around our house so it won’t fill up our basement.”
Tracy’s husband, Keith Olsen, worked in construction for years. Keith has frequent projects in progress to prevent the basement from flooding.
“If you were to look at my driveway right now, my car is in 4 inches of water,” said Keith with tears of frustration. “I have had to build a dam of snow and ice to stop water from coming into my house because somebody can’t get the elevation right … I’d like to see any one of you guys come and stay at my house and not slip and fall.”
Tracy and her neighbors have relied on Keith’s service efforts to prevent their homes from being flooded. The city has yet to replant the streets on Chad Drive.
“We had only planned on and budgeted for a certain amount of money to do this project,” explained Tracy. “My husband did a lot of the work.”
Rexburg mayor, Jerry Merrill, was already aware of the situation.
“I know there is a problem (in your neighborhood),” said Merrill. “We have had discussions about it internally and are planning on working with you to correct the situation … if that hasn’t been communicated to you, I apologize.”
Rexburg’s Public Works staff member, Justin Beard, added context to the discussion.
“We’re aware that it’s a problem,” Beard explained. “We’ve had several meetings (with Keith) lined up to talk about it. Those meetings were canceled.”
Keith explained that he frequently travels out of town for construction work and that was why the meetings were cancelled.
City council member, Bryanna Johnson, said that she and the other council members were not aware of the flooding on Chad Street.
“I guess I didn’t explain,” admitted Merrill. “I didn’t really see that it was a big deal to get the whole council involved … it’s down on that one end of the street, the rest of it all is fine.”
Council President, Jordan Busby, concluded the hearing.
“I think that if the council is aware of it and the city is aware of it … I think we can move forward.” said Busby.
Isabelle Justice 