$5.00 or an IPAD touch for $4.00. Total BS. I Can’t believe that evil has reached its crescendo on a site like this, but apparently it has. I just hope their Mexican cartel dirt bags don’t come kill me for my post.Damn you punk dirt bags forever BEEZID

“After two years,the total collection should have been around one million dollars. It is now six years,so six million dollars. ($6,000,000.00)”

I’m going to change that to – “It is now six years, and the fees should have generated between 3 and 5 million dollars.”

And originally, this fee was to address pollutants in storm water runoff. I think every citizen would love to see a break-down of exactly how much money has been generated over the last six years, and exactly what it has been used for.

Would like to comment, since this is the only article I could find by another citizen.

“The city needs to do something about storm drainage to keep our streets and homes and businesses from flooding!” – TRUE

But,in order to make those improvements, the city needs money. – NOT TRUE

I say this based on the following: (And take note, Sept. 2008)

“Other directors said the proceeds from the lease of Muskogee Regional Medical Center to Capella Healthcare have been earning interest for more than a year and has grown significantly — it totals about $114 million today. ( Published September 16, 2008)”

It’s amazing how this all started with the following:

**February 23, 2005 •• 566 words •• ID: 50060914
Phoenix Staff Writer Muskogee residents could soon find a $2 increase on their monthly water bills if the Muskogee City Council approves an ordinance Monday to create a storm water management program. The fee increase, unanimously approved by the Muskogee Finance Committee on Tuesday, would be used to fund programs to reduce the quantity of pollutants picked up by storm water before it enters area waterways.**

Note the last sentence, “would be used to fund programs to reduce the quantity of pollutants picked up by storm water before it enters area waterways.”

If I remember correctly, around the same time, if not the same article, pollutants were described as – lawn chemicals, automobile drippings, pet droppings, etc. right down to cigarette butts.

Here we are going on six plus years and the ‘quantity of pollutants’ has become ‘quantity of water’. We’re now trying to figure out how ‘stormwater fees’ can control flooding, not pollutants.

On the city of Muskogee website, it is clearly stated:

“The service charge is to manage programs to reduce or eliminate the pollution of storm water. It has been demonstrated scientifically that runoff and pollution from a property increases as the amount of impervious surface area on that property increases.”

“The utility fee enables the City to meet its responsibilities to mange the storm drain system more closely, study the contents of storm water, seek out and eliminate illicit connections and illegal dumping, enforce codes more strictly, and educate citizens.”

“The pollution potential is actually much greater when it has not rained in a long time because pollutants can build up on all impervious surfaces. In any storm, the initial runoff, or first flush, is the most contaminated. Contrary to what some people believe, storm water charges are not based upon rainfall. Costs are incurred to reduce pollution. Rainwater is simply the carrier that transports the pollutants to open waterways.”

“Disposing of wastes properly, using the minimum amount of chemicals on your yard, and keeping your car well-maintained can reduce the amount of pollution that you add to storm water runoff.”

“The storm water charge supports programs to reduce or eliminate the pollution of storm water caused by residents and businesses.”

Where does it say this ‘service charge’ is to be used to build holding ponds?

Also stated on the city’s website:

To address some of the immediate needs of the citizenry with flooding, the Public Works Department, specifically under Storm Water Maintainance clearly states:

The Storm Water Maintenance Division ensures drainage systems of public right-of-way and improved drainage systems accepted by the City are free of uncontrolled growth and blockages. Included among the activities performed are:

1. Cleaning and reshaping of drainage ditches

That sentence alone can alleviate a lot of the flooding problems in Muskogee.

Earlier I related to a Phoenix story dated February 23, 2005, dealing with combatting pollutants in storm water runoff.

As of February 14, 2005, there were 15,523 occupied housing units in Muskogee.

At $2.00 a month, this comes to $32,000. per month; and 372,000 dollars a year. In two years, this is 744,000 dollars, which does not include businesses. Business water rates increased $4.00 to $12.00 per month according to the size of the water line coming into the business.

After two years, the total collection should have been around one million dollars. It is now six years, so six million dollars. ($6,000,000.00)

How has this money been used to combat pollutants in stormwater run-off?

Also, since all this started (2005), here are a couple articles from the Phoenix:

March 27, 2005 The city of Muskogee’s annual audit report for 2004 is expected to contain about $5 million worth of good news. Gary Parker, of Moffitt Parker & Co., said the city’s net operating revenue was up about $5 million over the previous year, due “almost entirely” to a $4.3 million increase in net assets. Mayor Hershel McBride said he was pleased to hear about the improvement in the city’s finances.

June 9, 2005 The city’s budget committee has completed its budget proposal for fiscal year 2006. Background: The city’s budget has fluctuated very little in the past couple of years, partially due to a slow economy, but the budget committee predicts a gain of nearly $1 million in revenue for 2006.

Money, money everywhere, but none for addressing flooding or runoff. Oh, but don’t forget, we got trollies.

Published November 07, 2007 12:29 am –

Officials approve land purchase to fix flooding

By D. E. Smoot
Phoenix Staff Writer

“. . .the 4.68-acre tract would cost the city $48,000 plus the amount owed for 2007 ad valorem taxes and closing costs. An Aug. 28 appraisal of the property, located between North Anthony Street and David Lane about 200 feet south of Dayton Street, valued the land at $47,000.” (It was purchased).

“A preliminary survey conducted by Holloway Updike and Bellen, a Muskogee engineering firm, states the “the site is of adequate size and location for use as a stormwater detention basin.” The estimated cost of what is being called the Belmont Street Drainage Project is $750,000, according to Jay Updike, president of the engineering firm.”

It’s now four years later, and nothing has been done. Will it still be $750,000?

June 21, 2007
Blankenship also saw water “like rapids rushing” Wednesday morning in the vicinity of North David Lane, Elliott Street and North Anthony Street.

Published November 03, 2007 11:45 pm -

“Over the last 12 years, Raymond Sewell has had stormwater lap at his front steps and seep into the garage of his home at Anthony and Callahan streets.” (12 years – 1995)

Published August 24, 2008 11:55 pm –

“A plan to address stormwater drainage problems in that area was proposed originally in 1988. The plan, Stewart said, was designed to mitigate the additional stormwater runoff caused by the Albertson’s store development and the York Street widening project.

The city purchased property and established a special drainage fee to help pay for the land and future construction, Stewart said.” (1988)

“Stewart acknowledged problems with flooding have been experienced citywide. He said, however, stormwater drainage problems on the city’s east side seem to be more pervasive.”

Okay, to me it doesn’t seem to be a lack of money, but rather a back burner type of problem; it’s not raining now. But, I will agree that the runoff fees needed adjusting. And, that brings us to the question of apartment complexes.

Does an apartment complex pay by the square footage or by the number of units times $2.00 a month like homeowners. On the Muskogee Chamber of Commerce website, there were thirty-three apartment complexes. That’s a lot of would-be homeowners.

And we should make sure all the vacant properties like Cole Grain are paying their fair share.

Here’s a little something to make sure we all understand what this long-winded post is about”

Past newspaper articles

Flooding Heavy Downpours since May 2007

Storms cause flooding, power outages Tuesday, May 08, 2007

Rising water levels leave businesses dry Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Storms leave many without electricity Thursday, June 21, 2007

Big rain leaves flooding Sunday, June 24, 2007

Area gets record number of rain days Thursday, June 28, 2007

Readers capture Muskogee deluge Saturday, July 07, 2007

Flood issues raised Thursday, July 12, 2007

Henry includes Muskogee in disaster declaration Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Officials: County may not get federal aid for storm damage Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Residents may get storm damage relief Friday, September 07, 2007

Heavy rains wreak havoc with county roads Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Muskogee County eligible for disaster assistance Saturday, October 06, 2007

Flood hits parts of Muskogee Tuesday, October 09, 2007

Officials say $3M would fix flooding problem Saturday, November 03, 2007

Officials approve land purchase to fix flooding Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Sirens sound, but no major damage reported Wednesday, January 09, 2008

Heavy rains flood county roadways, caution urged Monday, March 03, 2008

Floods are recurring problem Monday, March 03, 2008

Rain wreaks havoc on area Wednesday, March 19, 2008

County to seek aid after floods Tuesday, March 25, 2008

FLASH FLOOD WARNING Monday, March 31, 2008

Storms batter area Tuesday, April 01, 2008

Storms wreak havoc, causing closings Thursday, April 10, 2008

Overnight rain closes roads, schools Thursday, April 10, 2008

Governor declares state of emergency Friday, April 11, 2008

THE PEOPLE SPEAK: Flooding, damage makes street dangerous Saturday, April 19, 2008

High waters stop traffic Sunday, April 20, 2008

County to get help with storm damage Tuesday, May 06, 2008

County gets fair share of disaster aid Thursday, May 15, 2008

Can’t ignore Main Street Monday, May 19, 2008

Storm creates more flooding woes Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Early storm causes flooding, damage Friday, June 20, 2008