Monday, April 29, 2013

Recent Rains Wash Out Claypool Bridge Approach

Recent rains have washed out the Claypool Bridge approach east of Grant City and the county is in the process of figuring out if they can get disaster money to repair it. One day of rain dumped five inches on the area and raised river levels up to near the edge of the banks. More rains are forecast for later this week and temperatures are forecast to be in the 30's and 40's. Emergency Management Director Pat Kobbe said that there was a hazard mitigation grant out there for bridges that are recurring problems; however, she said that the process would take over a year. Most of the damage this time affected the eastern portion of the state; Worth and Mercer counties were the two westernmost counties in the state that have sent in damage reports.

Jack Baker came to discuss details of the Old 169 road closure north of Grant City involving the transfer of lands.

J.W. Harding came in to request work on road 252 between Grant City and Allendale and 179 east of Denver. In general, roads have to have 450 tons per mile to have sufficient gravel base; landowners and interested parties can take out emergency rock at $150/load to build up roads so that they can reach the 450 ton threshold so that they can receive tax rock. Emergency rock is delivered in load lots, meaning that landowners cannot purchase $75 for half a load of emergency rock. Landowners can put on 3" rock if necessary. Landowners can also take out CART during designated time periods and the county will match a certain portion; the county advertises signup periods for that. Last year, the county matched 70% of CART money. The county will have Jim Fletchall look at the two roads in question. In general, it is not county policy to gravel roads that are gated shut by landowners.

Economic Developer Tammy Ueligger reported that five vendors showed up for the Gardener's Expo on Saturday. She asked the commissioners for direction on what they wanted to do. She said that she was planning to do another buy local campaign. She reported that she had received four applications from students interested in summer work programs. She said that it would cost an estimated $7,200 to fix the outside wall of the Francom Building; this price tag does not include any work that needs to be done on the roof.

The Nodaway County line road west of Sheridan has a tube out on Alder Avenue. It washed out sometime last week. The county will check into whether it is their responsibility or Independence Township's responsibility to fix the tube. Under the agreement between the two parties, the county is responsible for part of the road and the township is responsible for part of the road.

The commission granted permission for the Worth County Fire Auxiliary to hold their Worth County Smokeoff on August 9th and 10th on the Courtyard and in the streets. They also granted permission for use of the restrooms. The Auxiliary will use the city's utilities and will shut down the square on August 9th. They will not use the Gazebo; they will be bringing their own stage. 

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