Rock Island Today

Village of Rapids Committee of the Whole met June 26.

Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:

President Mire called the Emergency meeting of the Committee of the Whole to order at 6:30 pm.

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call: Clark, Fowler, Rankin, Robertson, Mire and Schneider entered meeting at 6:34 pm.

Absent: Fiems.

Graham Lee- Village Attorney, Ryan Bump, Clerk Missy Housenga, Julie Doty, Deedie Legler, Randy Kline, Dough Rogers, Russell Kinkade, Judy Clark, Chris and Cathy Kinkade, Bradley and Haley Kline, Brianne and Ben Barber, Julie Wildermuth, Dave and Jann Wilson, Ryan Goss, Mike and Becki Winger, Paul Holland, Sarah Ford

This emergency meeting was called to discuss 13th and 14th Streets flooding and the events that took place on June 20th and 21st, 2018. Mire thanked everyone in attendance for coming. Mire also thanked Ryan Goss, the Rapids City Fire Protection District and Public Works Director Ryan Bump for clean-up efforts along the flooded areas on June 20th and 21st, 2018. Mire explained the ongoing issues with flooding along 13th and 14th Streets and the impact on the residents within the area. Mire along with Trustee Rankin, Representative McCombie and a Representative from IDOT have walked the area to identify a way to try to rectify the situation. All members of the Board were given pictures Mrs. Wilson took of the flooding that occurred on June 20th, 2018. Mire opened the conversation to the Board Members.

Clark stated he felt the creek bed needed to be cleaned out and clean out drainage tube. Fowler agreed with Clark, adding to make the creek deeper and wider so the water has more room to flow through.

Rankin thinks the Village needs to identify the cause of the silting, in addition feels a steel damn located in the creek is blocking water flow therefore not allowing the silt to flow freely. Rankin also feels the creek needs to be dredged to remedy the some of the flooding.

Robertson had nothing to add.

Schneider noted this issue has been discussed several times; explaining he has been told by previous legal counsel maintenance of the creek is the homeowner’s responsibility as it is on their property. Schneider noted he feels we need to understand the condition of the current drainage system and flow pattern verses the original flow design.

Mire then opened the floor to public comment.

14th Street resident Julie Wildermuth addressed the Board. She feels identifying the current status of the retention ponds is required to see if they are full and therefore not effective. Wildermuth noted she also feels the drainage culvers under 14th Street have filled in with silt and are no longer effective.

David Wilson a resident of 14th Street explained he takes a direct hit every time the creek overflows. Wilson explained the issues have exaggerated over the last 5 years since they have lived at their home. Wilson thanked the Board as he saw very little debris coming down the creek, therefore the word has gotten out not to dump into the creek. When dumping occurs debris comes down the creek clogging the culver. Wilson stated knows there is a problem with sedimentation and getting easement rights to get the creek taken care of but appreciates the conversation.

Julie Doty, resident of 14th Street, explained she has lived at her home for 46 years, furthermore explaining within the past 4-5 years sand is being left behind after flooding occurs. Doty would like to have the status of the retention ponds that were to have been installed when the new addition was developed checked.

Mire noted a project to replace culverts and clean out and reestablishing the ditches has been recently awarded along 4th Avenue and 13th and 14th Streets to aid in disbursement of water. The resolve for the flooding would be process that will take multiple years. The discussion of the creek and responsibility has been an ongoing talk amongst several sitting Boards and Attorneys in the past. Mire pointed out the resolution is a two sided partnership and commitment from residents living in the affected areas and the Village. Mire asked the Board to consider a multi-point plan to try to resolve the issues. One, have a look at the retention ponds. Two, re-establish the creek by cleaning out silted areas and clearing trees.

Three, the Village would need to obtain temporary 30 foot easement rights from the residents to complete this action. The entire project is dependent upon costs, once research and easement rights have been granted and costs have been identified by outside firms the Board will convene to determine the next step. Finally, once the Village portion of the project is complete it would then be the property owners’ responsibility to maintain the refurbished condition of the creek; this may be enforced via a newly adopted ordinance per Board discretion. Mire also noted landscaping would not be replaced; seeding for grass would be completed to restore yard quality. Contractors would be requested to address concerns of accessory buildings, landscaping and recreational equipment within the easement areas when giving bids for the project.

Attorney Lee inquired on the helpfulness of the State with analyzing the area. Lee would like to have the study of the creek and ponds done first to identify the best process to resolve the issue. Lee also noted this is a fix for the issue and not an adoption of the responsibility of the creek.

Mire answered Lee’s question, commenting the State is only willing to take care of the portion of Route 84 that is connected to the creek and drainage areas. Mire also noted a study was done by Shive Hattery in 2000, but things have changed in flow and silting since then.

Through discussion Robertson expressed he feels the cause of silting needs to be identified prior to cleaning out the creek bed.

Clark motioned to approve to secure a 30 foot easement rights on each side of the creek on a temporary basis from each property owner, allow an investigation of sources of the flooding along the creek, to allow the investigation and review of drainage plans of the creek, pricing of associated fixes to the creek, and allow investigation of retention ponds and associated fixes. Schneider seconded. All present voted yes. Motion carries.

Wildermuth thanked and commended the Board for addressing the issue with a positive and open outlook. Wildermuth appreciated the gesture of a notice of this meeting. Doty mentioned Carl Palmer was the Village engineer when the retention pond and subdivision was being established.

Bump will reach out to Palmer.

President Mire thanked everyone for their attendance opened the meeting.

Having no further business to conduct at this time Robertson motioned to adjourn this Committee of the Whole Meeting. Rankin Seconded. President Mire adjourned by consensus of the Board at 7:26 pm.

http://www.rapidscity.us/minutes/20180626cow.pdf