By James B. Bartle
The Sullivan City Council directed city engineer Robert Schaffer to meet with two businesses to discuss a possible solution to an overgrown ditch between Orscheln Farm and Home and the Dickey Bub Plaza, located near the South Service Rd., during their Tues., July 20 meeting.
The council had brought the issue up during their July 6 meeting after a concerned citizen filed a complaint with Alderman Jarrett Dace regarding the growth of brush and trees in the ditch area.
Steve Dickey, owner of the Dickey Bub Plaza, addressed the council regarding the issue commenting that the city has several items in the ditch including storm water drainage, sanitary sewer and there is a gas line in the ditch as well.
“This is a steep ditch that is about 20 ft. straight down,” said Dickey. “It’s impossible to mow it or maintain it. I discussed with Robert Schaffer the possibility of filling in the ditch and he indicated that would present a problem due to the city sewer system at this location.”
Dickey stated that he didn’t know what the solution for this ditch was, but was willing to sit down with the city and see what can be resolved. He also suggested that if major improvements are necessary that maybe a Tax Increment Financing mechanism could be used.
Schaffer addressed the council explaining there was a sewer pipe that crosses in this area and the storm sewer that flows through the ditch.
Schaffer felt that there may be some way to address this issue, but he felt the brush and trees needed to come down so that he could get into the ditch and determine just what could be done. He also indicated that he would need to contact the State of Missouri because there is brush in their right-of-way as well.
Dickey stated that he spent about $8,000 several years ago on the ditch area around his property.
Orscheln Farm and Home has also maintained their portion of the ditch for several years prior to the growth taking over this year.
The council requested that Schaffer meet with Dickey and Orscheln Farm and Home and see what can be resolved and then report back to the council.