Administrator's Weekly Update

The City of Mexico Beach’s weekly Administrator Update provides updates on city projects, events, answers residents’ questions, and also includes community announcements. The goal is to keep the Mexico Beach community informed and engaged with local government activities on a weekly basis.

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Week of 11/4/24: Addressing Stormwater Management in Mexico Beach: Steps for Progress

This week, we’re focusing on stormwater management in Mexico Beach. We’ve identified eight areas in the city that are most prone to flooding and drainage issues, and on Tuesday, we met with AVCON, our stormwater engineering partner, to review the top two priority areas. Fixing drainage city-wide will be a large undertaking, but we’re committed to making immediate and long-term improvements. Tackling this challenge step-by-step, we aim to make meaningful progress over time.

The full list of locations includes:

• 4th St. from Hwy 98 to Florida Ave.
• Area of 417 Colorado Ave.
• Former Angeline Estates
• 5th and Cathey Ln. to Ditch
• 1st St.
• Pine and Magnolia Aves. to Hwy. 98
• Ends of 39th and 40th

Our Approach: A Three-Tiered Strategy

1. Quick Fixes: Actions we can take now to improve stormwater flow immediately.
2. Moderate-Sized Projects: Projects requiring more detailed engineering, design, and contractor involvement. These will provide insights as we work toward a broader solution.
3. Future Development Standards: Adjustments to our Land Development Code to ensure new construction supports, rather than hinders, proper drainage.

Quick Fixes for Immediate Improvement

• Storm Drain Maintenance: Crews are sweeping the city to clear debris from all storm drain grates, ensuring they’re free from plants and buildup. This will improve water flow during heavy rains, particularly important as wet weather is anticipated soon. If you notice a drain that needs attention, please reach out to let us know!
• Canal Maintenance: We’re starting brush-clearing efforts on the man-made canal along 7th St., cutting back plants on the banks to better understand the canal’s structure and flow. With visibility improved, we can plan any necessary adjustments to increase the canal’s capacity and overall efficiency.

Moderate-Sized Projects: Testing Solutions and Building Expertise

• 4th St. Project: We’ve identified the area from 98th to Florida Ave as a major drainage issue. This project will serve as a test case, giving us valuable insight into the cost and process for moderate-sized drainage improvements. With several similar projects needed, completing this will help us prepare for others.  Much needs to be done prior to any work including engineering and design.
• Drain Pipe Solutions: When canals are at capacity, they can back up into connected storm drains and pipes. AVCON is exploring engineering solutions to address this issue, aiming to implement measures that could be applied at multiple locations across the city.

Future Development Standards for Sustainable Stormwater Management

• Culvert & Swale Requirements: Over time, construction has resulted in a mix of adequate, inadequate, or even nonexistent drainage solutions in some areas. Ensuring new projects address stormwater flow from the outset is essential, so we’re reviewing our code to make sure future work meets our standards.
• Permitting & Inspections: To enforce these standards, we may adjust our permitting and inspection processes, making sure all requirements are met to maintain stormwater flow city-wide.
• Long-Term Planning and Funding: Over the long term, we’ll continue to evaluate projects that address underlying issues, looking into both the scope of work required and potential funding sources.

By taking these steps, we’re committed to improving drainage across Mexico Beach. This three-phase approach will enable us to make immediate improvements, implement sustainable solutions, and set standards for future development that protect our community from stormwater challenges.