Residents of some townhomes in southwest Des Moines are asking the city for help in battling the Raccoon River.
Mary Ann Spicer appeared at Monday night's Des Moines City Council meeting, saying that the River Oaks Townhomes on Crescent Avenue east of SW 63rd Street are having problems.
She says the riverbank next to many of the townhomes there is eroding. Without help from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the city, she says, many townhome owners may lose their homes to the eroding ground.
In addition, she says the project has a privately-owned sewer system, and they're asking for help from the city in operating the system or running it on a joint basis with the city.
Audrene Hansen, the president of the River Oaks tenants' association, says every time the Raccoon River floods, it takes more of the riverbank. Right now she says homeowners are worried they'll lose their property unless something is done.
The Des Moines City Council Monday night referred the issue to the city manager to see what action the city can take to help the residents.