By ELIZABETH SINCLAIR
The sidewalks surrounding Lake DeFuniak are 4.5 feet underwater. The information came from Preble-Rish’s Cliff Knauer at the DeFuniak Springs City Council’s April 25 meeting. How to lower the lake level was addressed, as was why the lake is so high.
Knauer stated that Pine Street, coming off Circle Drive was the highest elevation to draw the water from the lake to Bruce Creek. Northwest Florida Water Management District (NWFWMD) would provide, through a loan, a 10-inch diesel pump drawing 1,500 gallons a minute. The city would pay for fuel and approximately 600 feet of discharge pipe. NWFWMD would have to approve costs and draw-down elevation. There would need to be a drainage easement from the school district, an impact study on the Bruce Creek drawing basin.
Very real concerns are how the drainage could create problems with traffic on Circle Drive and noise mitigation; the pump will be loud and a rough estimate of the drainage time is 51 days. Other than a survey, residents in the area have not been contacted for their thoughts and opinions. This was verified by Phyllis Phallen, a member of the audience whose driveway is entered from Pine Street.
Mayor Bob Campbell asked Knauer if the docks were in jeopardy of “pulling out.” Knauer said it was possible. Finance Director Joe Brown said FEMA would be the agency to pay for the docks and lights.
City resident and businessman Dennis Ray approached the podium and asked the council, rhetorically, what the cause of the high water was, what factors or changes have occurred for the water to get so high, citing the possibility of the close school construction. Councilman Kermit Wright noted the increased height of Lake Stanley.
Campbell asked if any other government agencies could have input into the high level of the lake. Knauer said the United States Geo Survey works groundwater modeling and some flood elevation data. A topographic survey using piezometers to map groundwater flow could be done. Piezometers measure the pressure of groundwater and Knauer said it would depend on how much money the city would entertain.
Knauer concluded his presentation by saying his company, Preble-Rish, had merged with a larger company and is now Dewberry/Preble-Rish.
Other agenda topics included:
Interim City Manager introducing Craig Drake as the new public works director;
Creation of a drone ordinance;
Mayoral proclamations honoring corrections officers and National Nurses’ Day;
Approval of special events permit for Peddler’s Alley on May 7 and Oct. 1, 2016;
A report by Jack Owen and input by Terry Dawkins, member of the Airport Advisory Committee, regarding a proposed tenant at the city airport with approval by the council to earmark $2,500 for a study regarding further information.
Robert McKnight , grant writer for the Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood grant and historic district reported that the $48,000 grant to improve the hall will come July 1, 2016. The two year project will need require advertising a request for quotes for an architect. Plans need to be made to end reservations for hall use while work is done.