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Commission directs engineer to coordinate with Clarksburg, consultant on Modoc Alley sewer repairs
Summary
After ongoing sewer and drainage problems at Modoc Alley, the commission instructed county engineer McKinley to work with the City of Clarksburg and consultant Bloodhound to develop a repair plan and to return with a proposal for bidding or emergency procurement.
The Harrison County Commission instructed county engineer McKinley on Tuesday to coordinate with the City of Clarksburg sewer department and consultant Bloodhound to develop a plan for emergency sewer repair in Modoc Alley and to return to the commission with recommendations for either a public bid process or emergency procurement.
Commissioners described the Modoc Alley issue as a priority and said they want the county to move quickly. The motion directs McKinley to meet with Clarksburg officials and Bloodhound after the consultant’s written scoping report is complete, then present a repair plan and timeline to the commission. If a special meeting is required to authorize emergency work, the commission indicated it will schedule one.
Commission President Patsy said the county should get the ball moving and noted the public‑health and property risks associated with ongoing sewer problems. Other commissioners emphasized the need to give contractors a fair opportunity to bid if the problem is not classified as an emergency, or to authorize emergency contracting if immediate work is necessary.
County staff said the county must await the Bloodhound scoping report before issuing a formal RFP; once the report is available McKinley is to coordinate with Clarksburg, prepare bid specifications and return to the commission. Commissioners asked McKinley to consider right‑of‑way questions and whether sections of the system are city or county responsibility during planning.
Why this matters: unresolved sewer failures can pose public‑health hazards, create property damage, and require significant remediation. Commissioners asked staff to balance speed with procurement rules to ensure the county secures qualified contractors and to minimize further delays.
Next steps: McKinley will meet with the City of Clarksburg and Bloodhound, draft a repair plan and cost estimate, and present that plan to the commission (a tentative placeholder was discussed for the commission’s next regular meeting). The commission also directed staff to prepare to advertise or use emergency procedures depending on the plan and timing.
