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Resident complaint about city mower damaging fence prompts staff follow‑up; engineering cites easement and permit issues
Summary
A Hutchinson resident reported city mowing damaged a privacy fence behind his house. The city said the fence likely encroaches in a public easement, no fence permit was on record, engineering will evaluate required fence relocation and staff will follow up with the resident.
A resident told the Hutchinson City Council Aug. 19 that a city mowing operation on June 13 damaged his plastic privacy fence and that he had not received follow‑up on his claim. The council and staff said they will follow up to resolve the matter.
Tim Miller, who lives at 2712 Morris Road, said a city employee hit the fence while mowing a drainage ditch, causing $380.63 of damage. Miller said he filed a claim and provided an appraisal and had made multiple calls and emails without substantive response; he noted he had paid property taxes and wanted timely contact. “It seems like an appropriate response even, acknowledgment or something earlier than that would be in order and appreciated,” he told the council.
Paul Brown, city attorney, and city staff discussed the claim in public. Engineering staff said they did not locate a fence permit for the fence and observed that the fence appeared to be built within the city easement that the city must maintain for ditch work. Engineering said it was reviewing how far Miller would need to move the fence and that staff would follow up; the council asked that the resident be contacted promptly. Vice Mayor Scott Meggers said he had passed the inquiry to the city attorney and staff and would follow up after the meeting.
Nut graf: The resident filed a damage claim and received an interim response that engineering is assessing whether the fence encroaches on a city easement and how much relocation would be required; council and staff committed to follow up with the resident about the claim status.
Ending: Staff said they would contact Miller directly with the status and next steps, and engineering will determine any required fence relocation to clear the city’s easement before completing claim resolution.
