Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Works topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident says overgrown trees on First Street are damaging farm equipment, county staff urges landowner coordination
Summary
A resident told the Pratt County Commission that overgrown trees between the dog pound and a private property on First Street are blocking equipment and causing damage; county staff said tree removal beyond the right-of-way requires landowner permission and cautioned about potential liability.
A resident raised safety and equipment‑damage concerns about trees growing close to First Street, telling the Pratt County Commission the vegetation has caught on farm equipment and narrowed roads.
"I'm starting to tear equipment up as I go through the trees," an unidentified speaker said, describing incidents in which ladders and warning lights were ripped off machinery and citing visibility problems at a hill intersection. The resident asked the county to address trimming or removal.
County staff responded that the county controls the road right‑of‑way for transportation purposes but does not automatically have authority to remove trees that are on private fee land. "The only uses that the county has authorized use is for transportation purposes," staff said, and explained that removing trees attached to private fee interest typically requires landowner permission because the county could otherwise face legal risk. Staff noted that when safety impedes the county right‑of‑way the county can order trimming, but outright removal is a separate legal issue and recommended staff speak with the landowner first.
Commissioners and staff agreed to follow up: staff will discuss the concern with the landowner(s) and with Doug (staff) to determine permissible remedies and next steps. The resident said they will seek permission if necessary but also expressed concern about bringing large equipment into the city limits for work.
Next steps: county staff will contact landowners and coordinate options for trimming or other safety measures; no formal motion was recorded to remove trees during this meeting.
