Drainage issue surfaces at City Council meeting

HARTINGTON — Some drainage issues surfaced in Hartington after last week's three-inch rainfall.

Several residents addressed the City Council Monday with concerns after water runoff from the July 4 rainstorm damaged a fence and retaining wall behind homes on South Cedar Avenue.

Council members were told there has always been a bit of a problem with drainage between properties on Robinson and Cedar Avenues, but that issue has intensified because of construction of the new Security Bank building on Robinson Avenue.

There is a utility easement between the properties, but not an actual alley.

Keith Moje of Otte Construction in Wayne, the firm doing the work for the bank, was also on hand at Monday's meeting.

Moje said a retention pond is being developed at the edge of the property to help collect water.

Engineers and architects on this project are investigating the issue to see whether they can help to resolve the problem.

'There is a strong possibility that the bank is contributing to this, but the issue lies with other property owners, too,' Moje said. 'We will continue to work on it.'

Also Monday, Council members talked about the possibility of offering garbage service to residents of housing developments just outside of the Hartington city limits.

Mayor Mark Becker asked whether the Council would be interested in providing the service to residents of the Becker Addition and the new 220 Addition.

Council members discussed the possibility of offering the service at a fee of two to three times the rate charged to Hartington residents. This falls in line with the current policy of charging two times the city rate for people outside of the city limits who hook onto the city water system.

Council members decided they needed more input before making a decision on the topic. They will have City Clerk Brittni Benscoter send out a survey to residents of these two housing developments to gauge their interest.

The Council also agreed Monday to grant the Chief Bar a liquor license for the Aug. 12 Hartington Dayz event. The Council previously agreed to close off the street for the event and issue a liquor license to the Big Hair Brewhaus for the event.

In other action, the Council clarified an employee policy about retirement benefits, stating that all full-time employees 18 years old or older are eligible to participate in the city's retirement plan. It was previously believed an employee had to be at least 21 to take part in the program.

The Council also approved a plat for land on the southern edge of Hartington owned by Benscoter and her husband, Louis.