City Council Member M.J. Khan met with members of the Floodway Coalition on March 5th to discuss changes to Ordinance 19-43 which prohibits substantially improving or building on property in the floodway. Council Member Khan, as the newly appointed Chairman of the Flooding and Drainage Committee, was invited to listen to members' complaints about how the floodway ordinance lowers their property values, and the inability to sell property in the floodway. Floodway Coalition members want the ordinance revised to allow for compensating property owners and to eliminate the no build restrictions.

The Council Member said that he was unaware of the implications for property owners when he voted for the ordinance. He says he should have looked into the ordinance further but "hindsight is 20/20." "I still do not know if I have all the scope of the problem. But I am open to solutions." Coalition members point to the city's poor drainage and infrastructure design as the reason for flooding, and that the city council needs to look at improving street drainage. Property owners in the floodway say they are unfairly carrying the burden for the city's flooding problems.

Council Member Khan agreed that better design may be a solution, but said he needs to consult with engineers and stakeholders before any changes in the ordinance can be made. Coalition members want to have working sessions and more dialog with the committee and Khan agreed. "We want to keep the information flowing." he said, "and I am willing to come to more meetings like this." He says he can make no promises but will be "open and accessible."