Pryor Creek council approves Option A for North Bailey drainage; engineer to pursue easements

At a Pryor Creek council meeting, members voted to proceed with Option A for the North Bailey Street drainage project, directing the engineer to seek the required drainage easements and produce cost estimates for public bidding.

The chair introduced two preliminary layouts from the engineer and said Option A “would be preferred because it would keep the drainage away from the homes.” Council discussion identified multiple affected properties; the plan would require an easement from the Cobbler property, while Option B would require easements from the Weaver and Sloane properties.

Mayor (name not specified) and staff explained the project also requires construction of detention ponds and noted the water eventually travels under Highway 20 through culverts the mayor described as insufficient. The chair told the council he had reviewed archived engineer estimates indicating repairs “into the hundreds of thousands of dollars” to fix the drainage problem comprehensively.

Council member Bruce Smith moved to accept Option A and recommend the engineer proceed with easement negotiations and cost estimates; Kenneth Brashears seconded. The recorded vote was Bruce Smith: yes; Kenneth Brashears: yes; Terry Lamar: yes. The motion carried.

The engineer (Dale) will attempt to obtain the easements and return to the council with estimated costs; once estimates are complete the city will advertise for bids and award the work per the usual procurement timeline. Council members said they expect work could occur this summer but emphasized easement negotiations and bidding will determine timing.

The council thanked residents who attended and noted the project has been discussed on paper since 2022; any final cost and schedule remain subject to the engineer’s estimates and the easement process.