Council addresses flooding

With about 20 people in attendance, Steinbach city council spoke in detail about recent flooding, promising to address it as part of a Tuesday council meeting.

While those in attendance were unable to speak, they were encouraged to come back as a delegation in the future.

Council wasted no time in addressing the issue.

Coun. Susan Penner gave the meeting’s opening, a privilege that councillors take turn delivering to start the meeting.

She shared her story of getting flooded, only weeks after they finished the basement renovation from the 2024 flood event.

“Where is the urgency to deal with this from the city’s side?” she asked. “We have areas that continue to flood. This has to be a priority.”

Mayor Earl Funk echoed her sentiments, telling those in attendance that council feels their frustration.

“We hurt for you, we feel for you,” he said.

Funk said council is establishing a climate adaptation plan which will be complete in spring of 2026. It will suggest key projects that will open up federal funding.

City Manager Troy Warkentin also went over the storm, pointing out the amount of rainfall was virtually unprecedented, and reiterating that all pumps worked at full capacity or beyond.

He said some upgrades to the Loewen Boulevard lift station and sewer mains and the Highway 12 sewer main will help address the issue.

Other projects recommended for 2026 include improvements to sewer mains on Millwork Drive and Park Road West and the Park Road West lift station.