City Council considers fixing drainage issue

HARTINGTON — Two Hartington streets could see some major improvements next year under a proposal currently being considered by the Hartington City Council.

Nathan Boone, a senior project manager with JEO consulting, Lincoln, met with the City Council Monday to share ideas about how to fix some current drainage problems along Madison Avenue from Main Street to Capitol Street.

Work to repair similar problems on south Broadway from Franklin to Court streets was also discussed.

Boone was here in August and looked at Madison Avenue from Main Street to Capitol Street.

This would be similar to the downtown revitalization project untertaken a few years ago on Broadway in that the street, and infrastructure under it would be updated.

The project could include new eight-inch concrete, new storm sewer, updated water mains, sewer lines, new storm sewers, new sidewalks and new lighting.

“There is a lot of water that now comes out of those alleys (at Carhart Lumber). There is not a lot of good drainage there. It would be nice to get rid of some of that drainage from Madison,” Council President Brad Peitz said, adding that he would like to “capture that water before it even gets to Madison.”

Preliminary figures Boone put together back in August show the Madison Avenue project could cost as much as $852,000.

Boone said the project and accompanying figures will need to be looked at more closely before any decisions are made.

“We think we have a pretty good handle on it, but we want to give it another, more detailed review before we get much further,” he said.

Madison is not in good shape and some improvements should be made, Boone said.

Council members agreed that something must be done.

“This has been on the docket for quite a while now,” Mayor Mark Becker said, indicating the project had been discussed when Peitz was Mayor.

Boone said it is already too late in the year to bid the project for this construction season.

“The contractors are full,” he said. “There is still a lot of work being done because of the flood.” Boone said the project could be ready to bid out in September or October with the idea that work is done in 2021.

The Council is also working on the section of Broadway Avenue from Franklin to Court, bordered by Carkoski field and the old Jerry’s service station, seeing if that could also be redone.

Boone said JEO will put together a contract for design and bidding if the city decides to move forward on the projects.

Councilman Chris Bartling said he would like a chance to “walk the project,” one more time to look it over before making any decisions. Mayor Becker said the item will get placed on a future agenda.

Also Monday, the Council approved a special designated liquor license for the March 21 Cedar Catholic Gala.