THOMASVILLE — Thomasville City Council deflected a barb that came their way in connection with construction of an apartment complex off Smith Avenue.

Steve Sykes, city manager/utilities superintendent, said a city building department employee had been accused of having a conflict of interest in construction of the apartment complex because of being a relative of someone instrumental in the project.

Sykes said the employee is not a relative of anyone associated with the project. Her surname and that of someone associated with the complex are pronounced alike but have entirely different spellings, Sykes told city council members at a Wednesday workshop.

Council member Max Beverly said the person making the accusations should apologize to the employee.

Residents of a neighborhood adjacent to the complex are complaining to the city about silt-filled water runoff from the project going onto their lawns. Property owners have expressed dissatisfaction with the city’s response to their concerns.

Jerry Pionessa, assistant city manager/city engineer, said the city approved apartment construction plans in October 2016.

Morgan Bailey, spokesman for property owners with complaints, purchased her Rachel Lane house in December 2016, Pionessa said, adding that Bailey first mentioned the water flow onto her yard in January 2017.

Pionessa relayed ensuing apartment complex-related problems to council members, explaining that in July he issued a letter to the builder that said problems must be corrected before the development could be occupied.

As construction continues, much of the runoff will be directed into the development’s retention pond, Sykes said, adding that it is the builder’s responsibility not to cause harm to surrounding property owners. If the situation is corrected to meet city requirements and problems continue, civil action by property owners might be considered, he added.

Neighborhood residents have complained about construction workers urinating in public and in plain view of homeowners.

Mark Harmon, city chief building official, said he told residents that if they see workers urinating at the site to call police.

“We have tried to correct problems as they occur,” Harmon told the council.

Sykes said he has been asked why the city does not obtain a stop-work order on the project until problems end.

“My initial reaction is that it might be a tall order to pull off,” Tim Sanders, city attorney, said at the workshop.

Sykes said residents could get a lawyer to request a stop-work order.

“I think it’s important that water always flowed through the yards,” Sykes said.

A nursery used to be at the site where the $15 million apartment project is being built. Sykes said water flowed through the area when the nursery was there, but trees and grass prevented water, dirt and silt from leaving the site.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820