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Commissioner Barnaby opened the
hearing and swore in all those that wish to give testimony.
Paul Riegsecker and Allen Riegsecker were sworn in.
The hearing was then turned over to
Rod Creager, Chief Deputy Engineer. Mr. Creager briefly
explained the petition process and presented an overhead view of
the watershed. He explained the prayer of the petition and
presented photos taken of the improvement area as he presented
his report as follows:
PROJECT INITIATION
This drainage improvement was initiated through a single county
drainage petition filed by Mr. Allen Riegsecker and others on
August 29, 2008. The petition calls for the replacement of an
existing 8-inch clay outlet tile with a new 10-inch diameter
solid plastic outlet tile.
The proposed improvement is
petitioned to begin approximately 1270 feet east and 25 feet
north of the southeast corner of Section 30, T-9-S, R-3-E, in
Royalton Township, Fulton County, Ohio. From that point the
improvement is to proceed downstream in a southeasterly
direction, crossing Township Road N into Pike Township onto the
Ralph and Diane Seidel property, and then continuing to the
southeast across the Kirkendall property following the existing
outlet to the open channel of the North Branch of Bad Creek.
Catch basins, junction structures, and other appurtenances will
be installed as required.
A viewing of the project was
conducted by the Board of County Commissioners on October 9,
2008 at the site.
This tile outlet was installed
privately several years ago and there are no records of past
improvements. Topographic maps and records from adjacent
projects indicate that the watershed for this proposed
improvement is approximately 87 acres. The tile has been
privately maintained since its installation.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
The primary objective of this project is to install a modem
agricultural drainage outlet to replace the existing clay outlet
tile that has become an ongoing maintenance problem.
PROBLEMS OBSERVED
There was no flooding on the day of the viewing but there was
visible evidence that flooding had been a problem this past
growing season. Large patches of grass and weeds in nearby
fields indicated that significant crop losses had occurred this
season. Mr. Riegsecker pointed out that his fields north of Road
N were flooded for several days after a major rain event in
early July and that his crop loss was significant when the
existing tile failed to drain the area.
Dead turf grass in the Seidel lawn
on the south side of Road N was another indication that the area
had been flooded for an extended period of time.
The tile runs near several trees in
the Seidel lawn and through a wooded area on the Kirkendall
property. Pike Township has fried to keep the outlet open over
the past two years without long term success. At first it was
suspected that the road crossover was obstructed but it was
later determined that the outlet was not working because it was
obstructed by tree roots downstream from Road N near the woods.
The existing tile has three feet of
freeboard at North Branch of Bad Creek and could be lowered if
more cover and tile depth are needed. North Branch is on the
county ditch maintenance program and does not require cleaning
to give the proposed new the an adequate outlet.
WORK PROPOSED
The work plan for this project calls for the replacement of the
existing clay tile with approximately 1180 feet of 10-inch solid
corrugated plastic drainage tubing from the North Branch of Bad
Creek upstream across Kirkendall, Seidel and Road N terminating
about twenty-five feet north of Road N. The tile will be
specified to be delivered in 520 foot rolls to minimize joints.
Brush and trees will be removed
from a 600 foot long right-of-way through the Kirkendall woods.
The strip will be sixty feet in width. Just under an acre of
brush and trees will be removed.
Four catch basins are proposed to
replace the existing catch basins on either side of Township
Road N, at or near the Seidel-Kirkendall property line and in
the Kirkendall woods where the drain from the Kirkendall house
lot enters the tile line. These basins will serve as junction
structures and observation locations where the tile can be
monitored. If necessary, the basins will also serve as access
points for tile cleaning in the future.
An outlet pipe with animal guard
will be placed on the tile at the lower terminus. Rock channel
protection will also be provided at the outlet.
Traffic control and incidentals
items associated with the construction of the new drainage
outlet are also included in the work plan.
A temporary construction easement will be established along the
line of the improvement.
CONSTRUCTION ESTIMATE
The attached preliminary construction estimate is based on
information that was obtained through aerial photos and field
observations. The estimated cost for the construction of the
proposed drain and its appurtenances is $28,972.72 including
engineering and administrative costs.
The final detailed construction
estimate, based upon a complete engineering survey will be used
to determine the estimated assessments for each parcel.
Assessments will be considered at the final hearing on this
proposed improvement. Upon completion of the project work plan,
actual assessments will be prorated to reflect the final cost of
the work completed.
PROJECT BENEFITS AND ESTIMATED
ASSESSMENTS
Assessments for the proposed improvement will be based on the
benefits received from the drainage improvements. The type and
quantity of drainage runoff contributed by each parcel will be a
consideration. The location of a parcel relative to the location
of the work may also be considered.
It is expected that the benefits
derived from the proposed improvement over the estimated 50-year
useful life of the tile will be greater $87,000.00 and will
exceed the estimated project costs. House lot and the township
right-of-way will be assessed at a higher rate than agricultural
land. Woods and pasture land will be assessed at a lower rate
than tillable land.
Rural residential properties will
benefit from improved drainage by increasing or maintaining
theft property values. According to local real estate sources,
as a general rule, properties suffering from standing water
throughout their entire yards are often judged to be devalued as
much as 20% to 30%. Properties with some standing water could be
devalued as much as 10% to 20%. Areas that suffer even the
stigma of standing water could be devalued by 5% to 10%.
MAINTENANCE
The Ohio Revised Code requires that all drainage improvement
projects be placed on a permanent maintenance program.
Maintenance activity is limited to the maintenance of the items
originally constructed. Maintenance is paid for by periodic
ditch maintenance assessments to the parcels in the watershed.
The amount of the maintenance assessment is in proportion to the
original ditch assessment for each parcel.
The revised code provides for the
right of access to drainage lines and open ditches to perform
maintenance activities. The permanent maintenance access
easement for the improvement will be fifty feet in width
centered on the line of the storm sewer. The maintenance access
easement width along the open ditch is twenty-five in width
measured from the top of the open ditch bank.
APPARENT FAVORABLE FACTORS
1. Periodic flooding will be reduced.
2. Crop yields will be improved.
3. Property values will be improved or protected.
4. Erosion control measures at the open ditch will reduce
erosion and protect the open channel from deterioration.
5. The outlet will be placed on permanent maintenance that will
insure that the drain can be kept clean and free flowing and
will protect the investment in this proposed improvement.
APPARENT UNFAVORABLE FACTORS
1. Temporary lawn and landscaping damage can be expected during
construction.
2. Periodic production loss and inconvenience may result from
future maintenance activity.
PROJECT FEASIBILITY
This project work plan is feasible and can be economically
completed through the drainage improvement petition process.
Commissioner Barnaby asked for
testimony. None was given. The hearing was closed at 10:35:17
a.m.
After deliberation,
the Board finds that the proposed improvement petitioned for is
necessary and will be conducive to the public welfare, and it is
reasonably certain that the cost thereof will be less than the
benefits. This decision will be reviewed at the final hearing
on this matter.
The County Engineer
is directed to cause to be made the necessary survey for the
proposed improvement, plans for the structures, maps showing the
location of the land proposed to be assessed, and profiles
showing the cutting and gradient of the improvement, and make an
estimate of the cost of the construction of the improvement;
which shall include actual construction cost, the cost of
engineering, and the cost of notices, publication and other
incidental expenses; and set proper construction stakes, and
perform such other duties as required by Section 6131.14 of the
Revised Code of Ohio;
Commissioner Genter
made the motion to find for the improvement and Commissioner
Barnaby seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. |
