Neosho County Commissioners are still working on addressing a resident’s complaint concerning a recent culvert replacement.
Carol Smith has been present at the past three commission meetings to ask what is going to be done about standing water on her property after a recent culvert replacement. She first brought this matter to the commissioners on June 3. Smith said she has lived on the property for nearly 50 years, and there has never been standing water on her property.
Road and Bridge Director Mike Brown said that, according to historical Google Earth images, water naturally flows in that direction. This is also supported by a topographical map that Brown obtained. In recent years, the failed culvert was blocked, preventing water flow. Commissioner Nick Galemore noted that a hedgerow on the property was removed, which could contribute to the water flow. It was also said a berm on the property that previously diverted water from the field is no longer in place.
During the July 1 meeting, Brown asked the commission how he should proceed, since he said Smith would not communicate with him in his efforts to resolve the matter.
Commissioners and Brown came to a consensus to remove the culvert and divert water through a ditch.
“It’s going to cause us problems in the future,” Brown said of the potential erosion issues.
A formal plan of action should be in place prior to the next meeting.
In other road and bridge news, Brown mentioned the recent collapse of a bridge on Veterans’ Road over the Neosho River. Brown said he believed people may call concerning the replacement of the bridge.
“I do think at some point it needs to be replaced,” Brown said.
The bridge was one project submitted for Road and Bridge Improvement grants. Additional notes have been made on the grant application since the bridge has collapsed, according to Brown. Those grant funds have not yet been awarded this year, Brown said.
“We’ll see what happens,” Brown said. “I think we should let this play out and just go from there.”
Brown said if a modern bridge were installed there, it would take some pressure off the two other bridges over the river.
In regard to the quarry, Brown said the department is making good progress removing overburden at the quarry.
Brown noted that new tires will be needed soon for a 980 Cat quarry machine, which costs $6,000 per tire.
A bid in the amount of $16,350 for a 2016 Ford F-450 ambulance trailer was approved by the commission.
In other road news, Brown said Country Club Road is now open again. There is still loose gravel over the culvert, but there are plans to lay asphalt in the future.
In maintenance issues, Maintenance Director David Burnett said that the samples he received for plumbing upgrades at the jail were much more tamper-resistant than the previous model.
He highlighted that he was replacing ceiling tiles in the Neosho County Courthouse as needed due to age.
In other news, Burnett expressed that he felt the county should not fund additional funds into judicial center building upgrades, such as upgrading interior windows, due to the recent costs of mold remediation and other projects.
Commissioner Gail Klaassen noted that having a court in Chanute was not mandated, but something the county does to benefit the city of Chanute, to reduce the burden of travel.
A motion to approve Burnett’s ability to hire a part-time employee was approved.
County Attorney Tiana McElroy said she believed the main county attorney’s office should be moved to Erie from Chanute. Currently in the Chanute office, McElroy said staff are often having individuals approach them concerning cases or tasks outside of their scope.
“Frankly, it’s a waste of time,” McElroy said Currently, four jury trials are set, and all of those will take place in Erie.
The Neosho River Bridge on Veterans Road was reported collapsed June 26, due to tree damage. Road and Bridge Director Mike Brown says he believes the bridge should be replaced at some point. Courtesy Photos | Neosho County Sheriff’s Office
She said she was concerned that her ability to prosecute these cases would be impacted due to not having a functional office in Erie. Should a full office change not be possible, McElroy said she wishes to make the Erie office functional with a printer and to serve as a comfortable place for victims and witnesses to sit during trial.
McElroy said she was also concerned about confidentiality issues being overheard at the Chanute office. She said both offices would still be used, but she said both offices need to be functional.
Galemore said that he may get with Burnett to determine a layout for McElroy’s office, and it will be discussed further in a future meeting.
The next regular County Commission meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 15, at 2 p.m. at the Neosho County Courthouse. Meetings are also streamed live to YouTube on the Neosho County Commission
