Recent rains cause sewer issues for City of Goessel

The Goessel city council met on May 22, which is later in the week than usual. The meeting was scheduled for May 20, but it had to be postponed due to city personnel working with sewer issues that were caused by the recent rain.

The current sewer system allows rainwater into the sewer pipes in several areas. Breaks and cracks in the sewer line also allow groundwater to seep in. City clerk Jennifer Whitehead explained that the age of the sewer system is causing some of the problems. It was noted that earthquakes might also be causing shifts in the pipes. Therefore, the sewer system has been overwhelmed with the recent rains, and both pumps are running non-stop to keep up with the excess water. The sewer project that the council has been planning will hopefully stop excess rainwater from seeping into the sewer system. Ironically, the rain needs to stop so the project can move forward.

A meeting had been scheduled with the sewer project engineer to finalize details and plan a timeline. However, that meeting did not happen due to too much rain. Therefore, the project will not be started as soon as hoped. The engineer prefers to hold that meeting closer to the actual starting date. Other projects for the engineer are also backed up because of all the rain.

However, Whitehead explained that someone from the United States Department of Agriculture is looking over the contract and wants to finalize it, even though the project cannot start as soon as hoped.

Whitehead, along with public works director Karen Dalke and mayor Dave Schrag expressed appreciation to Myron Schmidt for letting the city use his pump to alleviate the recent sewer problems. They also wished to thank the city of Moundridge public works employees for their help. They loaned their equipment and brought it over on a trailer.

Dalke and Schrag also expressed appreciation to part-time city employee Tony Girard for his help in the recent sewer problems. He came out at night and helped.

Council member Evan Esau noted that the city park was flooded. Council member Dean Snelling said there is lots of water at the burn site.

In spite of the issues that Goessel has dealt with, Dalke noted, “There are other cities that are way worse.”

Schrag noticed that water in the creek that runs through Goessel went down fast, better than it did in previous years when there had been too much rain. He said a pasture and ditch south of town got cleaned out, and that helped the city by allowing the city’s water to drain.

Turning their attention to another matter, the council made official appointments as follows — city clerk/court clerk: Jennifer Whitehead, municipal judge: Greg Nickel, city attorney: Josh Boehm, and city treasurer: Courtney Demaray. Citizens’ State Bank is the official depository.

In other business, the council:

* spoke with a resident in the Harvest Meadows addition who would like to erect a shed for his recreational vehicle.

* discussed a request from someone who would like to build a barn-house.

* noted that someone else wanted to put up a container house or a tiny village.

* heard a reminder from Schrag that there are covenants in various parts of town that are registered with the county.

* voted to participate in “First Impressions,” which is a program for cities. Goessel has been paired with Burden as a “sister city.” Whitehead explained that three or four people from each city visit the other one and complete a survey about the other city. Then someone at K-State writes a report of the surveys and reports to the various cities. The idea is to inform cities how people from other places perceive them.

* discussed security cameras. The city had received a bid and would like to obtain more bids before proceeding. The council discussed a system that would allow for 16 cameras and the option to add more cameras and expand the system.

* heard that the city has been sprayed for bugs

* discussed dust on unpaved city streets and decided there is no good solution, noting that rock creates dust, and sand creates a “wash-board” effect.

* noted that Topeka is using a new memorial and is returning memorial stones of police officers to their own city. Schrag said Sheriff Craft would like to place the stones of county police officers around the flag pole. Officer Morgan’s stone will likely be included. The council noted that he died 40 years ago on May 22, 1979.

* discussed a vacant house at Alamo and Main Streets. Schrag said he had gone to look at the house with the owner, who does not live here. Schrag said the house is structurally sound, and the roof does not leak, although the house needs a new roof. The house also needs paint, and there is one broken window. However, he said they did not see any mouse droppings or bugs. They concluded there is no reason to tear the house down.

* heard from policeman Anthony Voth. He said he had dealt with dogs, vehicles, and yards. He also helped Marion County.

* approved the financial statements of $37,029. 95.

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