Council seeks answers after child fell into uncovered storm sewer; asks for stormwater-code update

During "other matters," council members asked when proposed changes to stormwater code (section 505) would be brought forward for public hearing. The discussion gained urgency when a council member reported a recent incident in High Ridge in which a child walking home from school fell into an uncovered storm sewer and dropped about 23 feet to the bottom; the child had surgery, council members said.

Council members asked staff to identify the owner responsible for the storm drain lids and to coordinate with the local fire district. "There was a young boy walking home from school and fell in the storm sewer... He had surgery today," a council member said. The chair pledged to track down ownership and notify the fire department and asked for location details so staff could investigate and report back.

No formal action was taken at the meeting beyond requests for staff follow-up; councilmembers said the public-works director or stormwater manager would be asked to provide updates when available.