Even as the Alba City Council discussed ways to alleviate some flooding issues around the city, Mother Nature brought another deluge to the city Monday night, no doubt exacerbating an already bad situation.

“There are a lot of issues with drainage,” Public Works Director Paul Kelbe said, adding that it’s not just the drainage ditches, and the issues aren’t just the city’s.

In one area where the city has cleaned out ditches, the drainage runs onto state highway right-of-way, and appeals to the state have gone unanswered.

The council reiterated that it is the property owner’s responsibility to maintain property up to the pavement, which includes ditches.

Vegetation, trash and other items in ditches do impede some drainage.

One area of concern mentioned was from Luther to Hopkins to Orchard Streets and another at Kirby and Mockingbird.

The council was shown photos of some of the flooding, and Council member Tammy Kikpatrick named one residence that had flooded three times.

The council questioned whether the city can charge property owners for the work if the city comes in and clears drainage ditches which are not being maintained.

Kelbe also noted there is only so much that can be done when heavy rains occur as they have multiple times this year.

The matter will come up again at the July meeting after the matter can be researched.

The council discussed the upcoming street improvement project, which resulted in a question about heavy equipment traveling along Kirby St. after coming off Country Road 1670 and whether the city could initiate a weight restriction to help preserve the street.

The council addressed how vacation pay is awarded and voted to allow new employees to access that paid time off after the 90-day probationary period, rather than waiting a full year.

They also plan to discuss increasing the vacation time awarded in five-year increments at the July council meeting.

The council approved the transfer of the Family Community Center from the disbanded Alba Ladies Club to the city.

The Alba Economic Development Corp. plans to discuss ways to manage the facility.

The council also approved a plan by the EDC  to construct an open-air pavilion in the city park and a $14,000 expense by the EDC to install mobile radio repeaters in the city police cars.