Dear Resident,
Our City’s efforts to address sea level rise, stormwater and flooding are not a simple task. Raising 60 miles of streets and installing a new pump system is both expensive and disruptive. In order to ensure our efforts are not misguided and your tax dollars not misspent, the City had two separate groups review our program with a view to making sure we are getting this right.
Both studies confirmed that our program was credible and necessary to preserve the integrity and value of our properties. But both studies also made suggestions as to how we could do this better. Additionally, we have discovered ways to improve our program from our own experiences in the projects we have already undertaken.
I believe a government that doesn’t challenge its assumptions, learn from its history, and embrace criticism does a disservice to its residents. Our City staff — from our Manager Jimmy Morales to all those responsible for implementing these projects — feel the same way. They are excited about improving our efforts and incorporating these suggestions.
We are fully committed to continuing this program. The seas are still rising, the rain events are intensifying, and if we do nothing or simply kick this can down the road, we will put our homes and properties in peril. This isn’t “pausing” our program, it’s a reorientation. We have simply done what any mature government should do, which is seek the most informed perspectives possible and incorporate them into our plans so our residents and businesses receive the benefit of the best available thinking.
