Damage to flooded roads in county tops $300,000
By Lori Berglund Daily Freeman-Journal EditorIt wasn't the summer work schedule that Hamilton County Secondary Roads had planned, but it's coming together and wrapping up nonetheless.
Supervisors on Tuesday heard from Engineer Danny Waide that damage caused by the flood of 2008 has caused an estimated $335,000 in damage to Hamilton County's rural road system.
Thankfully, county crews have now virtually wrapped up hauling rock and making basic repairs to the many wash-outs created when the floodwaters rushed through the county. Crews will now be moving on to clean up of debris left behind by the high water.
Supervisor David Young said county officials are optimistic that FEMA will pick up 75 percent of the cost of the damage.
"It's been challenging," Young said of the enormous extra workload created for county crews in the flood, but he commended and thanked employees for their service.
Supervisors on Tuesday also visited with Iowa Sen. Rich Olive and communicated to him many of their concerns from the past legislative session, as well as goals for the future.
"We're pleased to see him," Young said of the legislator's visit.
Supervisors used the occasion to talk about state funding for ongoing road and bridge repairs. In the last session, Young noted, the state provided some but not all of what Iowa's 99 counties are seeking to make needed repairs to aging roads and bridges.
Other concerns addressed included mental health funding, the expansion of the collective bargaining rights, and the smoking ban. County concerns on the smoking ban were not on the ban itself, but rather on how it amounts to an "unfunded" mandate for public heath, as well as local police and sheriff, Young said.
Getting back to Secondary Roads' issues, supervisors learned of a plan to recycle a large culvert taken from the Ag Partners project and use it to replace a small bridge on Rosendale Drive. Whenever possible, the county uses less-expensive culverts to replace small bridges. And, since this is a low-travelled road it is a cost-efficient way to keep the road open without undue expense, Young noted.
Supervisors also received a petition for a study on a Drainage Ditch 186. A study will be conducted by MHF Engineering, after which a public hearing will be set.
In other action, supervisors approved letters of support for conservation and recreation projects in the South Hamilton area. The projects include a campground renovation at Little Wall Lake and the Jewell trail project. However, at this time supervisors are not committing any county tax dollars to either project.
Contact Lori Berglund at editor@freemanjournal.net
