ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — Flooding problems in various areas of the city could be alleviated as smoke testing done by the Public Works Department has revealed 110 locations where storm water is seeping through pipes.

At Tuesday evening’s Robertsdale City Council meeting, City Engineer Greg Smith explained to the council there are 24 basins in the city’s sewer system and they just finished testing the one causing the most trouble.

“Some of these problems are a matter of broken pipes or exposed pipes left over from torn down buildings or vacant buildings and some are on private property. We found 10 places in Styron’s Trailer Park and seven around Ard’s Printing where some homes had been torn down. We sent out letters to those affected and they have 30 days to get the repairs done,” Smith said.

Depending on the severity of the problem, Smith said if it is a small leak, the homeowner could make the repair and if it is more extensive, a plumber may have to repair it. If the leak in in the mane or around the manhole, the city will make the repairs.

“We have had many people call in to tell us they are taking care of the problems and we hope to have them complete by this week. Once they are done, we can move on to other areas like the Circle Drive station. These repairs are really going to help us on rainy days and we are making good progress with it, “ Smith said.

Other projects Smith updated the council on were:

- 2009 Sidewalk Grant: ALDOT (Alabama Department of Transportation) sent the plans to the FHA (Federal Highway Administration) for final approval. The project would go from Hilltop Drive to Robertsdale High School and the final step would be to select a consultant to inspect the site. Total cost would be around $400,000 with a 75/25 match. Smith said they would tear out the existing sidewalk at Robertsdale Elementary School and replace it with the new one.

-”Safe Routes to School” grant: plans have gone to ALDOT and Smith hopes to be able to start the bidding in March and start the construction next summer

In other council business:

- A motion was passed to surplus a 2005 mower not being used by the utility department. Scott Gilbert, public works director, said it was bought to cut the baseball fields but is really for use on golf courses and they need to get one they will be able to use for the baseball fields.

- A motion was passed to donate $1,500 to the Robertsdale Youth Football program. David Stephens said registration would be on Saturday, July 23 and 30 at City Hall. They will have six teams this year and practices begin in August.

-A motion was made to give the Women’s Care Medical Center two free days at the Baldwin County Coliseum and Fairgrounds on July 21 and 22 for their Pro Revolution 2011 Banquet

Robertsdale Police Chief Brad Kendrick said it was a quiet Fourth of July weekend with no incidents or injuries and everything went well with the city fireworks celebration at Garrett Park on Monday night.