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Show II (gEiOililQliSOtiOli "With the additional building, we should make a great effort," said Mayor Morris Swapp concerning the channel iza-. tion of lower Mill Creek, costing an estimated es-timated $250,000. IT HAS BECOME more critical recently since seven or eight major storm sewers have been added to it. It drains half of the city while the other half is divided between Barton and Stone Creek, and City Engineer Jack Balling. He showed the council five different ways of finishing the creek bed to handle the extra water. The cost varried from $27 per foot to $58 per foot. THE CORPS of Engineers has recommended recom-mended a channel that would handle 1900 cubic feet per second, which would be a 100-year storm. The maximum runoff this year has been 160 cubic feet per second. "It would be 12 times what the maximum runoff has ever been," said Mr. Balling. "I can't conceive of that quantity," he added. THE STATE Highway Department will participate in the crossing of 5th West and 2nd West, when funds are available, with culverts to carry 500 cubic feet per second. Their hydraulics analysis does not agree with the Corps of Engineers. The proposed channel would have steel sides. It would be 17 feet wide with another five feet for a walkway or parkway park-way on the side. There would be a step on the sides to make it easier for a person to get out of it. A VEHICLE could be driven through the channel for cleaning purposes. Mr. Balling told about the example of a channel in San Antonio where an adjoining adjoin-ing parking provided a bicycle path. Chief Dean Anderson said that it was patrolled by police in motor boats, with exclusive shops along the way, making a tourist attraction. SEVERAL councilmen and citizens stressed the importance of retaining the natural beauty of the creek and its banks. In another report, the council heard of a resident in distress with a claim for sewer damages. Joseph Neiman on South 2nd West said his basement had been flooded with six inches of raw sewage. His claim asked for payment of 60 man hours in basement cleaning plus $1 ,173 for damaged property. THE CLAIM was turned over to the insurance company, but that prospect isn't too promising. The insurance company com-pany has never paid a claim for sewer damage, as far as the records can reveal. Citizens complaining recently about the situation, prompted City Manager Grant Petersen to look into the possibility of casualty instead of liability insurance. Most cities are in the same dilemma with residents' claims for sewer damage going unpaid. GOING ON to a drier subject, someone asked about tennis courts. They are open from 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. during the summer. Some residents complain about the lights and the bouncing balls keeping them awake while others wish they were lighted for longer playing hours. Schools and recreation programs utilize them during the morning hours for classes. |