Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Fairgrounds Drainage topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Pipestone County approves up to $30,000 for fairgrounds drainage repairs
Summary
County commissioners authorized up to $30,000 to fix plugged tile lines and install a catch basin at the Pipestone County Fairgrounds after staff described tree-root intrusion and blocked outlets that are causing persistent water pooling.
Pipestone County commissioners voted Aug. 12 to authorize up to $30,000 for immediate drainage repairs at the Pipestone County Fairgrounds, including installation of a concrete catch basin and tile extensions to address plugged lines and recurring water pooling.
County highway/grounds staff told commissioners the project responds to repeated plug-ups in main tile lines serving the fairgrounds, caused largely by tree roots and by straw and wood chips entering the tile system. The recommended immediate work is a concrete catch basin and a 15-inch tile extension that would outlet across adjacent Double D Gravel property; staff estimated about $15,000 for the basin and placed an upper bound of $30,000 for the work and related cleanup under a time-and-materials arrangement.
The work described by staff includes clearing roots from a principal line, installing a clean-out/catch basin where debris can be removed, and extending tile to reach a lower dispersal point so outlets are not buried underground and can be serviced more easily. Staff said Evans Drainage Tile is the contractor proposed to perform the tile work and that some surface concrete finishing (drive-over grade) could be considered later to reduce future site damage.
Commissioners were told the fairboard currently lacks funds to cover the work; staff noted the county has $110,000 budgeted in 2025 for fairground improvements and that the recommended expense would be drawn from that account. The board voted to authorize the county to proceed up to the $30,000 cap and directed staff to coordinate with the fairboard and the adjacent landowner for the outlet easement and construction access.
The motion passed on a voice vote; board members did not record a roll-call tally in the meeting minutes.
Commissioners and staff said the immediate repairs aim to prevent deeper erosion and recurring plugging that has produced ruts and standing water in the cattle and show-barn area. Staff also recommended follow‑up planning with the fairboard to identify longer-term drainage and surfacing improvements that might reduce future maintenance costs.
The county will schedule the work with the contractor and document time-and-materials charges; staff indicated they expect the project to be substantially under the $30,000 authorization in the likely scenario but requested the upper limit to avoid delays if additional issues are uncovered while digging.
