Flooding issues in Circle Drive area brought before Franklin City Council

Severe thunderstorms and rain in late April caused extreme flooding in much of the city, and a resident of the Circle Drive area approached the Franklin City Council for help Tuesday.
Stephanie Calhoun said the three streets in the area were closed because of the rainfall. She said her property is very high, but the water covered half the yard.
Public Works Director Jeremy Smith said Calhoun’s neighborhood drains to the Yokely Canal. Not long ago, a 42-inch drain pipe was installed from King Street to Stadium Drive that empties into the large drainage ditch on the other side of Franklin High School where a 60-inch culvert exists.
Smith said there are 24-inch lines in the area of Hospital Avenue and in one case, one pipe was set about 10 inches higher than the one it drained into. His crews are working on correcting that issue. Tree roots and debris are also contributing to flow problems.
“Once we finish that it should help them out,” Smith said.
He expects that work to be completed within a few weeks.
Calhoun said city employees have always been helpful when the neighborhood experiences problems and complimented the crews. She said the area is prone to issues even in lighter rain events.
She also said residences are experiencing sewer problems and suspects there are roots in the lines.
Utilities Director Bernard Daniels said he suspects terra cotta lines from the residences to the city line may be at play. He said he would have the city’s lines inspected and consult with property owners.
Calhoun also asked for repairs on Clay Street, where her mother lives, and a spot where the street was dug up to replace a “pipe” was never resurfaced. Mayor Raymond Harris said he would work toward including Clay Street on upcoming street repairs across the city.
Also Tuesday, Dale Robicheaux, a Beth Drive resident, was among signees of a letter to the city thanking elected officials and employees with the upkeep of public property in the area of Hazelwood Subdivision. He noted that residents keep their property in order and clean, and the city is always available when called upon.
In other business, Fire Chief Chuck Bourgeois reported that a $144,000 wind-proofing project at the fire station was completed by Acadiane Renovations. The roof was equipped with structural clips, extra screws installed, new doors installed and glass was covered with protective barriers. The doors and barriers can withstand 150-mph winds.
The concrete slab was also repaired behind the fire station. Interior and exterior light fixtures were replaced and the interior of the station was remodeled.
Bourgeois also acknowledged his personnel and neighboring departments involved in fighting the fire at the former Peck’s Motel last week.
Also Tuesday, in response to complaints from residents about discoloration and smell in city water, Daniels reported that water in a city water tower “stratified,” a condition where the water is not chlorinated because of high heat. Daniels said the older water towers fill water and distribute water from the tank bottom, and explained that stratification occurs when only the lower section of the tank circulates.
The council also:
—Approved an allocation of $1,500 to a Summer Enrichment Program to be held at Franklin High School June 1 to July 2 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is open to pre-K through sixth graders and centers on improving math, reading, problem-solving, critical thinking and conflict resolution skills. For more information contact Laquanda Gray at 985-381-9390.
—Approved resolutions lifting the ban on noise and fireworks for the Relay for Life event May 30, and requesting permission from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to place sugar kettles on the boulevard along Main Street.
—Approved an ordinance assessing an additional $10 fee on all traffic, misdemeanor and code proceedings at Franklin City Court to go toward a “judicial building fund.”
The next citywide cleanup will be June 13 at 8 a.m. with volunteers gathering at the Stage parking lot.