City council to tackle flood-related issues

The City Council this week is slated to formally act on several flood-recovery matters, some of which a council majority has approved in principle at recent meetings.

The council is expected to:

• Revise Greg Eyerly's job description so the city's flood-recovery director reports directly to the City Council and not, as now, to City Manager Jim Prosser.

Mayor Ron Corbett and some council members want Eyerly directly under the council to free Prosser up to concentrate on job growth in the community as he also runs the day-to-day operation of the city.

• Establish a flood-recovery “advocate” position and have that employee report directly to the City Council.

• Award a $7.73 million contract to D.W. Zinser Co. of Walford for the demolition of most of the buildings at the flood-and-fire-damaged former Sinclair meatpacking plant site.

• Steer some local-option sales tax revenue to landlords to help pay for the renovation of their flood-damaged properties. Landlords have had access to federal funds, but many have chosen not to participate in the federal disaster program because they say the strings attached to the money is too onerous.

The council also will discuss the creation of a hardship program for flood victims in which the city would advance victims awaiting a property buyout up to $10,000.

In addition, the council plans to discuss the future of the flood-damaged former library site on First Street SE.