City manager and attorney will be addressing the issues
By Barb Pert Templeton
Financial relief for a handful of Marine City residents whose homes flooded following a major rainstorm in July is in the works.
River Street resident Ray Ward brought the issue up during public comments at the commission’s Sept. 4 meeting.
When Marine City Manager Michael Reaves was contacted via email after the meeting, he explained what happened in July. He said at least five residential homes and one business filed claims. Other impacted residences did not file claims, he added.
Asked what exactly occurred in July, Reaves explained that a significant rainstorm on July 11 and 12 in the city produced a large amount of rain quickly that subsequently had the city’s lift stations and Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) working at capacity to process the deluge. “During the night from 7-11 to 7-12 in the early a.m. multiple homes and at least one business had raw sewage back up into their homes or businesses,” Reaves wrote. “These homes and businesses suffered damages, some of which appears significant. In any case – this is not an event we want our residents to have to endure.”
Reaves further noted that the operators of the city’s WWTP falls to Fleis & Vandenbrink – who are responsible for the plants operation to negate any potential issues from the event.
“F&V Ops is claiming an equipment failure is one of the causes; whereas the city believes there are other mitigating circumstances that F&V may have failed to navigate,” Reaves said. “This and other points of contention are currently being discussed or debated.”
Resident asks for help
During public comments Raymond Ward, who lives on River Street in Marine City, spoke and asked the commission to empower the city attorney to help push F&V, forward to settle with the five residents/businesses who were impacted by flood on July 12.
Marine City resident Raymond Ward addressed the Marine City Commission during public comments at a Sept. 4 meeting.
Ward said he had to go out and purchase a new washer and dryer and subsequently will have to take out a small loan to deal with the water in his home.
He said he measured almost three and a half feet of water in his basement at one point and when he measured it another time the level was about thirty and a half inches deep.
“We’re struggling a little bit,” Ward said.
He said it’s like everything has stopped, his mitigation company won’t do anything else and right now he’s $20,000 to $25,000 in the hole with them. Ward said his sump/sewer back up rider insurance was good for $9,000 so at least he had that much.
“At the end of the day I don’t blame the city,” Ward said. “I don’t understand, really, right now. exactly the nuances between F&V and the city as to oversight. I invite them (F&V) to come to my home and look around, I’ve been really transparent with everybody, I don’t have anything to hide,” Ward said.
He also noted that he just retired and his income has fallen off on top of everything else.
“What I’m asking you guys as commissioners is to empower Mike (City Manager Michael Reaves) to work with the city attorney a little more aggressively…to make something move forward here,” Ward said. ‘I’m spooked that this is going to drag out into some litigation hell.”
Ward said what he’s asking the commission to do is remind F&V who their customers are, in this case the city, and remind them that there are real people at the other end of it.
Ward concluded his comments by stating that Reaves has been great and has made himself available to hear his concerns.
Reaves and Hendrick respond
Marine City Manager Michael Reaves.
During his report to the commission Reaves said he heard Ward and agreed with his assessment of things. In fact, he plans to seek a closed session with the city attorney at the next commission meeting to discuss things.
“I feel for them, they have legitimate concerns and they have legitimate reasons behind their concerns; it’s hasn’t gone as smooth as I would like,” Reaves said. “It’s a process and with attorneys and insurance companies there’s not a lot of wiggle room.”
Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Hendrick used her public comments to thank Ward for coming to the commission meeting. She said she visited his home and it’s not something she’d want to deal with at all.
“I know everybody up here really feels for you and you’ve been so pleasant but still most people wouldn’t be quite so patient as you are,” Hendrick said. “I’m really hopeful that we get some answers soon for you and the rest of the people there.”
She said it’s an unfortunate process but they need to cross their fingers that something comes through soon. When Reaves was asked vie email after the meeting who is responsible for providing relief to those affected by the incident he said “at this point the city’s insurance carrier has denied the claim and by law, the city has immunity”
Reaves went on to state that the city has asked F&V Ops to have their insurance company open a claim.
“At this point F&V Ops is also denying the claim. We are in discussions with both insurance carriers for the city and F&V, as well as the F&V Principles / Management, and their attorneys regarding this issue,” Reaves said.
Meanwhile, from the city’s perspective he said, “our first and major concern is making our residents and business owner whole – taking care of their damaged homes. Some of the damages have not yet been addressed, which is extremely unfortunate.”
City Attorney Robert Davis and Commissioner Sean O’Brien were absent from the Sept. 4 commission meeting.
