How should Geneva deal with flooding? Council debates answer with fingers pointed at storm-water system, town developments

Elected leaders in the city of Geneva want to take action to address flooding that happened after recent heavy rains.

A discussion about possible solutions to prevent future flooding occurred at last week’s Geneva City Council meeting.

City Manager Amie Hendrix acknowledged the significant impact of the storm on downtown, including damage to green infrastructure installed during the Downtown Revitalization Project.

While repairs are expected there, the broader issue remains clear: When heavy rain falls – certain portions of the city are prone to flooding.

City officials are now considering ways to mitigate water damage in homes throughout the city. At-Large Councilor Frank Gaglianese III suggested that development outside city limits could be affecting storm-water runoff and recommended a discussion with the town of Geneva. Ward 2 Councilor Bill Pealer Jr. questioned whether the city’s storm-water system can handle the capacity during heavy storms.

Town officials who spoke with the Finger Lakes Times pushed back against the notion that development outside the city was causing stormwater issues there. While he expressed willingness to work with the city if they move toward a solution- most of the effort will be on City Council to find a fix.

No action was taken and the topic is expected to come up at a future meeting.

Staff Report

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