Drainage issues dominate Winfield council discussion

By BROOKS TAYLOR

Mt. Pleasant News

WINFIELD ? Everyone knows it has been a wet summer, but nobody knows it better than some residents living on Winfield?s east side.

Larry and Sue Rodruck, who live on the 200 block of South Huntsberry Street, made their second appearance before the Winfield City Council Monday night. The Rodrucks asked if any progress had been made on solving the flooding problems they and their neighbors have incurred from Mother Nature?s wrath.

?We just wonder what was being done,? asked Larry Rodruck.

?This is not a new problem, it has been happening since 2008,? she said, adding that the couple has had to replace a number of furnaces due to a flooded basement.

Councilman Ryan Rees agreed with the Rodrucks, noting that during heavy rains, he?s seen six to 12 inches of water running across the road.

Mayor Chris Finnell and other city staff said the problem lies with the culverts in the area. Either the culverts are plugged or too small to handle mass quantities of rain.

?The only thing I know to do is to replace the culverts with larger ones,? said Finnell.

Councilwoman Jan Walter said design miscues also factor in.

?Part of it is a design problem, it was not designed correctly,? she remarked. ?With all that water going down the street, there is no way the culverts can handle it.?

Finnell wrapped up the discussion by asking city staff to look into placing new culverts in three areas.

Council members approved the purchase of a security system at City Hall. The system will be purchased from Per Mar Security and include surveillance cameras. Cost of the system will be $1,900, and $81 per month for service.

?The clerk is here by herself and there might come a time when some citizens become threatening,? said Finnell. ?Personally, I think we need to do something. Our employees need safety.?

Council members approved starting nuisance procedures regarding a deteriorating house on North Olive Street. Finnell said he wrestled with the decision because the house is occupied.

?We are taking someone out of their home, but it is not safe to be inhabited,? said Finnell. ?Hopefully, the resident can find somewhere to live.?

The first notice of abating a nuisance was approved Monday night. The homeowner has 90 days to make repairs to the house and also has the right to appeal the decision before the council. If repairs are not made within the time frame given, the house could face demolition.

In staff reports, Claire Matthews, Winfield librarian, said 179 children signed up for the summer reading program and about 40 percent of the group finished. The program cost just over $1,000, but local businesses donated $800 of the cost.

Matthews also informed the council that the Lions Club has donated money for new chairs around the computer stations.

?We are trying to get better WIFI access around the library,? she said, adding that a new library board member and part-time employee are being sought.

City Clerk Angie Oepping reminded the council that nomination papers could be taken out Aug. 24. There will be two council terms and the mayor?s term on the ballot in November.

Leon and Kathy Kuehn discussed a sidewalk problem with the council. The Kuehns said there is about a one-foot elevation difference between the sidewalk and road (road is higher than the sidewalk) at the corner of their property.

?It?s a hazard in the wintertime because you can?t see it,? said Leon Kuehn.

The council directed city staff to look at the problem.

In final comments, Finnell reminded the council about Saturday?s Mudwolf Mayhem. Part of the event is an obstacle course including 23 different obstacles, and as the name suggests, there will be plenty of mud to plow through in addition to the obstacles.

Winfield?s City Council meets again Monday, Sept. 14, at 7 p.m. in City Hall.