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Cloverdale resident concerned about flooding
CLOVERDALE -- A town resident went before the council with his concern over flooding in his backyard, even after a minimal rainfall.
Brandon Tancak purchased a house on South Lafayette Street near Roosevelt Street about a 18 months ago and has been experiencing trouble with severe flooding ever since.
"I don't want anyone getting hurt," he said about his two small children and the pond, which forms in his backyard from any accumulated rainfall.
Tancak, who has experience with municipal sewer plants, stated he felt crumbled clay tile from a 12-inch pipe running under SR 42 could be the source of the flooding along Roosevelt. He explained he and his neighbors have installed 15- to 24-inch storm sewer pipes, with the exception of one who installed a 12-inch pipe, leaving the older clay-tiled pipe under the roadway powerless to keep up.
He said he contacted former utility manager Don Guthrie a few times, but nothing was ever done and the water eventually drained from his yard. Tancak offered to make a televised video of the damaged pipe to help determine the exact culprit at no cost.
"If we determine the issue, will the town do something?" he asked.
Town attorney Allan Yackey said the town couldn't do anything about the situation because it doesn't have the money. He said the town has been trying to get a federal grant for the storm water problem, but it has "hit a wall."
The town initially applied for a $1-million storm water grant but was unsuccessful. It is now applying for a $630,000 grant with 20 percent from the town not required by the initial grant.
"Don't ask me to explain it," he said about the grant issue.
Yackey also suggested Tancak use some of his sources to help solve the flooding and storm drain issue.
"I try to solve things practically, as a town attorney," Yackey said.
Another resident approached the council regarding his water bill. Bob Fish, who resides in Stardust Hills, said his water bill has risen nearly 25 percent in the past few months.
"I'm not the only one," he said. "It's all along my street."
Council president Cathy Tipton asked interim utility manager Rich Saucerman to check into the situation Wednesday morning. She also told Fish the utility clerk Melissa Boldman would run a usage report and give him a call.
Interim clerk-treasurer Cathleen Monaco reported she has been busy sorting bills from May to the present, among other tasks in need of immediate attention.
Don Gedert with the Redevelopment Commission told the council progress has been made with the pipeline moving out of the area.
"They have been doing a good job," he said of Rockies Express Pipeline.
However Gedert said he couldn't vouch for a date as to when the company would be completely moved.