Wright County drainage trustees approve reimbursements, defer engineer appointment on costly DD 36 repairs

Wright County drainage trustees on an ongoing session approved payment of a reimbursement to Hamilton County and a contractor invoice, and discussed escalating costs on repairs to Drainage District (DD) 36 lateral 3 that have exceeded the $50,000 threshold that would typically trigger an engineer's report.

Trustees approved reimbursement of $4,546.89 to the Hamilton County Auditor for an invoice paid in error. They also approved payment of $882.50 to Mausen/Mozamb Construction for removal of three beaver dams in drainage district 36, section 20 of Lake Township, work that had been reported by local landowners.

The trustees also revisited DD 36 lateral 3, where an original repair estimate from Henniger Construction was $48,700. Meeting discussion established that, as of 12:30 p.m. on the date referenced in the record, the work completed totaled $83,912.50. Trustees noted remaining work estimated at roughly 30 hours of dozing and placement of 200 tons of riprap. The transcript lists an additional line-item estimate of $6,675 for 30 hours of dozing and $5,600 for placement of 200 tons of riprap; a projected final total of $96,187.50 was mentioned during discussion.

Because the total has exceeded the $50,000 threshold associated with engineer-report requirements, the board sought legal counsel and discussed next steps. Rather than immediately appoint an engineer to prepare a report, trustees voted to notify landowners in DD 36 lateral 3 and hold an informational meeting for them. The board scheduled that meeting for January 13 (year not specified in the record) and said they would delay appointing an engineer until after that meeting and further consultation with landowners.

Trustees and staff discussed photographs and field observations showing bank slumping, sandy pockets requiring additional riprap, and some tile issues. Trustees said most of the work already is complete and noted that additional stabilization of slopes and riprap placement are necessary to prevent further drop/failure.

The drainage meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn; the trustees then reconvened as the Board of Supervisors.

Ending: The board directed staff to notify landowners in DD 36 lateral 3 and to hold the informational meeting on the date set; the question of whether to obtain a formal engineer's report was deferred until after that meeting and further legal review.