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Commissioner Short opened the
hearing and turned it over to Fulton County Chief Deputy
Engineer, Rod Creager.
Mr. Creager explained the process
as prescribed under ORC Chapter 6131. He presented a PowerPoint
presentation which included a map and pictures of the area of
the proposed improvement and presented his preliminary report:
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 1
0-inch diameter solid plastic outlet tile.
The proposed improvement is petitioned to begin at an existing
catch basin 1274 feet east and 22 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 will proceed
downstream in a southeasterly direction, crossing Township Road
N into Pike Township onto the Ralph and Diane Seidel property,
and then continue 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.
A viewing of the project was conducted by the of County
Commissioners on October 9, 2008 at the site. The first hearing
was conducted in the county commissioner’s office on November
13, 2008.
The original 8-inch clay outlet tile 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 90 acres. The tile has been privately maintained
since its installation.
PROJECT
OBJECTIVES
The primary objective of this project is to install a modern
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 during the 2008 growing season.
Large patches of grass and weeds in nearby fields indicated that
significant crop losses had occurred. 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.
The fields continue to drain poorly.
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 lawn was flooded again this spring.
The tile runs near several trees in the Seidel lawn and through
a wooded area on the Kirkendall property. Pike Township has
tried 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 it appeared that the tile could be lowered if more
cover and tile depth was needed. North Branch of Bad Creek is on
the county ditch maintenance program and does not require
cleaning to give the proposed new tile 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. The new tile
will be installed at least 10 feet to the east of the existing
tile and the existing tile will be connected to the new tile at
each of the new downstream catch basins. A new outlet pipe will
be installed on the existing tile at the ditch. Even though the
capacity of the existing tile is greatly diminished by tree
roots the existing tile will continue to provide some subsurface
drainage in the vicinity of the new solid outlet tile.
Brush and trees will be removed from a 600 foot long
right-of-way through the Kirkendall woods. The strip will be 100
feet in width. One-half acre of brush and trees will be removed.
Five 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 new
10-inch tile at its 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 construction estimate is based on information that
was obtained through aerial photos, field observations and our
engineering survey. The estimated cost for the construction of
the proposed drain and its appurtenances is $29,316.50 including
engineering and administrative costs.
The detailed construction estimate was used to determine the
estimated assessments for each parcel. Upon completion of the
project work plan, actual assessments will be prorated to
reflect the final cost of the work completed.
PROJECT BENEFITS AI4D 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 $89,700.00 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 their 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.
At 10:27 am Commissioner Short
swore everyone in and opened the hearing for testimony from the
landowners for or against the project.
Landowners, Allen Reigsecker, Paul
Reigsecker and Township Trustee, Ted Howard, all stated that
they are for the project.
Commissioner Short read into the
record a verbal objection received via telephone on May 12, 2009
from Mr. Robert McQuillen stating that he feels the costs for
this project are exorbitant.
Commissioner Short closed the
hearing at 10:29 and began deliberations. Commissioner Genter
stated that it is a good project and needs to be done. It was
evident at the view that the field on the north side of the road
needs additional drainage and from the view and pictures
presented, the trees are plugging up the tile that currently
drains the properties. He is in favor of the project.
He further stated that the new
scope of the project will start on the south side of the road
next to the new catch basin that will be installed by the Pike
Township Trustees. Also, a special will be included for the
extra foot of dept to the Petitioners.
Resolution 2009-438
Commissioner’s Finding Amending Former Order, Confirming the
Assessments and Ordering the Letting of the Contracts.
Commissioner Genter made the
motion and Commissioner Short seconded the motion. Motion
carried unanimously.
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