City council continues debate on Third Street drainage

The Clarendon City Council again wrestled with the Third Street question during their regular meeting last Thursday, July 23.

Engineer Clayton Scales presented four differing proposals to solve the vexing problem of drainage on the newly paved street between Bugbee Avenue and Broncho Stadium. The rollover curb installed as part of street project earlier this year does not channel storm water and results in significant erosion behind the curb.

The estimated costs to fix the problems range from about $200,000 to put 10-foot concrete lanes behind the rollovers to about $97,000 to place a six-inch stand-up curb on the south side of the road and a 10-foot hot mix asphalt lane behind the rollover on the north side.

Aldermen discussed the merits of each of the four proposals in an attempt to determine how to carry the most storm water for the best price. City Administrator David Dockery also discussed possible solutions, and asked Scales to do more studies with specific attention the cost and effectiveness of an eight-inch stand-up curb.

In other city business, the council discussed the need for a raise in sanitation rates. Dockery said the department needs about 14 percent more revenue to cover its expenses. Alderman Sandy Skelton said he was in favor of covering expenses “as long as the expense is reasonable.” The council will consider the matter further at a future meeting.

Aldermen approved a raise in the employee retirement contribution rate from 5 percent to 7 percent. The contribution is matched by the employees, and city officials said the employees supported the plan as a way to retain employees.

A motion was approved to institute a Municipal Court Security Fee, which will add $3 to each citation. The funds will be used for security for the municipal court, including City Hall, which houses the court.