Scott City to seek licenses to clean up flooded ditches

Scott City soon will begin seeking licenses to clean up the privately owned ditches that contributed to heavy flooding in the city last spring. The one-time licenses will allow the city to do the cleanup and whatever slope work is needed. Thereafter, the landowners themselves will be required to maintain the ditches.

The decision to acquire the licenses and undertake the one-time cleanup in the fall came at Mayor Tim Porch's suggestion. "We've discussed this a thousand times," he said. "We need to get a plan.

"... I think everyone's in agreement we're going to have to do it once."

City attorney Frank Siebert advised seeking the hold-harmless licenses to do the work instead of rights of way because acquiring rights of way would obligate the city to continue cleaning the ditches.

Porch said he doesn't think the city will have trouble acquiring the licenses. He said the city needs to mow and de-vegetate the ditches before it knows what needs to be cleared.

The ditch on Oak Street is in the worst shape and will be the first to be cleared, Porch said.

No council member spoke against Porch's position. Councilman Norman Brant suggested the city could hire a public works employee whose only job is to maintain ditches. That idea drew no support.

Stop sign wanted

In other business, residents Dick and Judy Brashear urged the council to add a stop sign on Harvard Street to slow down speeders. The Brashears and Marsha Johnston also complained about juvenile neighbors who allegedly have been cursing and playing loud music, squealing auto tires and throwing fireworks at children. Porch advised the police to investigate.

sblackwell@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182