Holly Springs to Fix Flooding Problem

is prepared to spend $40,000 to $45,000 to replace the stormwater structure running under the driveway at 3743 Holly Springs Pkwy.

The City Council voted 4-0 Monday night to put the project out to bid after interim Community Development Director Nancy Moon explained the recurring flooding at the home, the eroding structure with the risk of collapse, and the danger that the damage could spread to Holly Springs Parkway itself if corrective action isn’t taken.

The driveway provides the only access to the house, and city personnel have had to rescue the couple who live there several times, including during the flood of September 2009, Moon said.

The city will pay for the work, including replacing the storm pipes and shoring up the structure, with $14,864.54 left from a grant to address the 2009 flood, $15,184.42 left from the 2010 stormwater utility fund, and the balance coming from the 2011 budget for that fund.

That was one of 12 action items on the council’s agenda, all of which passed 4-0, including:

• An annual $1,870 maintenance contract with Premier Indoor Comfort Systems of Ball Ground to service the city’s heating and air-conditioning systems twice a year. Downing said the maintenance will save the city from occasional breakdowns and other minor issues. and , both of Canton, came in with higher bids.
• Midyear budget amendments of $87,501 in the general fund, $16,450 in the parks and recreation fund, $10,000 in the capital grant fund, and $244,840 in the SPLOST III fund.
• A permit for a liquor store operated by Downtown Hickory Flat at 6115 Hickory Flat Hwy.
• A permit for the South Cherokee 10-and-under Eagles to hold a fundraising 5K run at Harmony on the Lakes the morning of Oct. 1.

The council also celebrated two awards for city excellence, handed out two awards to the top employees of the second quarter, and declared this Saturday Support Our Seniors Day in the city:

• Judge Darrell Caudill, who with Judge James Tillman Payne Jr. regularly presides at , delivered a plaque to the city from the state Council of Municipal Court Judges. The award, given in July in Savannah, recognizes the city’s Municipal Court for program innovation and for the creation of software that improves the efficiency and productivity of the court.
• Finance Director Rob Logan announced that the city received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association for the second consecutive year for its 2011 budget.
• Jennifer Stanley, who works in community development, is the city’s Employee of the Quarter for the second quarter.
• Police Officer Jamie Wilson is the Officer of the Quarter for the second quarter.
• The council passed the Support Our Seniors Day proclamation to support the Cherokee County Volunteer Aging Council, which is holding its annual gala and auction at 6:30 Saturday night at the at the Bluffs in Canton. Tickets are $75 each or $135 per couple. Holly Springs donated two auction prizes, a lunch with the mayor and police chief and a police ride-along.