Edgewater City’s engineer is under investigation after being accused of intentionally flooding homes

EDGEWATER, Fla – Edgewater’s city engineer is under investigation after citizens accused him of intentionally allowing their homes to flood.

They believe this was retaliation for speaking out about problems in the city in the past. Kimberly Penny is one of the people accusing Randy Coslow of intentionally flooding her home.

“That didn’t have to happen.”

Penny has spent the last few days tearing out baseboards and drywall, ventilating her flooded house, trying to manage work and care for her disabled daughter, and arguing with city engineer Randy Coslow.

“There are taxpaying citizens who are afraid to live in their homes because a city official is taking action against them.”

That’s the accusation, but Penny isn’t the only one making it.

“I am moving to fire Randy Coslow. “Can I get a second?” Chuck Martin said at Monday’s Edgewater City Council meeting.

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At a City Council meeting, Edgewater residents shared stories of flooding they said was preventable and caused intentionally by city engineer Randy Coslow.

“The complaints that they feel like they’ve been targeted are very concerning,” said Edgewater District 1 Councilwoman Charlotte Gillis. “And I think for complete transparency we should hire a third-party firm to investigate .”

What convinced the council? An example is Bond Street, where Donna McDavid lives.

The city confirmed to FOX 35 that while it had pumps in place to prevent flooding on Bond Street, it stopped pumping before the storm.

“What kind of person in their right mind would put pumps on but not use them and allow 30 homes to be flooded?” McDavid said.

On Kumquat Drive, where Penny lives, Coslow’s crews would have covered a gate before the storm, preventing runoff.

“I am a parent. I’m doing my job. I take care of my house. I pay my taxes. I do everything the way I’m supposed to do it. And I can’t get him to do any part of it.” Penny said. “And it’s just not fair anymore. He’s not coming to help me. He’s not coming to fix my house. He’s coming Not even to repair the city.”

The city has not yet said who will investigate city engineer Randy Coslow. Meanwhile, people are cleaning up their flooded houses.

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