Harrisburg mayor concerned about flood-control progress
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Harrisburg is moving toward certification of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers levee that protects the community from flood waters that back up from the Ohio River.
Progressing - but at times in reverse.
Mayor Valerie Rose Mitchell on Thursday outlined to City Council her continuing frustration - and new worries -about the work of bringing the levee to the standard desired by the corps of engineers.
After a visit by Corps engineers, the city was given a long list of items to be taken care of before the levee could be certified.
Mitchell said all except two items have been completed. One is a flap gate that is to be installed next week, she said. The second item is proving nearly impossible to fix. The Corps says there is a 12-inch concrete pipe beneath the levee, however the city has no record of it. Corps engineers also cannot locate it, even when they used their equipment at the levee, she said.
Mitchell issued an appeal to the general public to assist in one Corps request.
The Corps wants evidence of use of the floodgate on state Route 34, but the city has no record of the gates ever having been put in place.
It is believed they were once tested, but no city records or photographs exist.
Mitchell asked any resident of the city who can assist in providing information on the use of the flood gate to contact her office. Information is critical; a photo would be better, she indicated.
Now, the Corps is tossing new curves to the city.
A serious one recently arrived.
The city at one time pumped water from the Middle Fork of the Saline River for the city water supply. The lines - three of them - ran through the levee.
Consulting engineer Jim Brown said the lines, long ago sealed, are well above the 100-year flood mark.
However the Corps wants them sealed in a different manner.
Earlier in the project, the city sealed one pipe at a cost of about $30,000; now there are three added pipes.
Delays by the Corps of Engineers also have been problematic for the city, Mitchell said.
The Corps wanted about a week to review plans for a new pumping station and has had the plans for a month, she told council.
On Thursday, she notified the Corps the city can't wait.
The construction season is under way and if a new pump is to be added, bidding must soon start.
Council authorized advertising for bids for a pumping station and pipeline over the levee to handle the so-called "Terry Maynard area" in event of a new flood.
During the meeting, council also authorized the start of another project, replacement of waterlines in the Dorrisville area.
The project is at its earliest stage. Authorization was given to apply for a planning grant.
When the project starts, it is expected to cost about $600,000.
A current city project is expected to be complete by the end of this month.
Commissioner Linda Mitacek said new pavement on Sloan Street will be completed from Granger Street to the cemetery.
Between now and the end of the project, residents can expect periodic traffic problems. About May 11, weather permitting, machinery will be grinding old surface from more of the street.