Highland Heights Officials to Talk to County About Flooding Problems

Highland Heights officials are pushing for the county to honor its commitment to address sewer problems in the city.

Mayor Scott Coleman, Building Commissioner Dale Grabfelder and Service Director Thom Evans have scheduled a meeting with county officials to discuss sewer issues.

Coleman said the county was prepared to fund a project in the Jefferson Drive area last fall, but deemed it to be too expensive after bids came in at $1.5 million. Estimated cost had been $700,000. He said that project would take care of most of the city's basement flooding problems and needs to be addressed by the county.

"It's their sewer system," Coleman said.

The need for sewer work was reinforced at Tuesday's council meeting by residents who experienced basement flooding last week.

Greg Palumbo said several houses on Bishop Road had flooded basements.

"There was a lot of carpet and furniture on treelawns," he said.

Palumbo suggested instituting point of sale inspections as a means to check what is causing the problems, including storm sewers that are improperly hooked up.

Kenny Godnavec said flooding has been a way of life for him since moving to the city nine years ago.

"If any of you had gone through what I've gone through, I can't believe this wouldn't have corrected by now," he told council.

Palumbo and Godnavec both said they have been told it's the city's problem or county's problem, depending who they ask.