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Last modified: Thursday, September 3, 2009 3:19 PM CDT
Tax committee checks on flood progress
by Jennifer Johnson • Daily News
Twenty-five members of the Minnesota House Tax Committee checked on Breckenridge flood protection progress Wednesday during their brief tour around the city.
"They came out here to see how the state dollars are being spent and why," said Mayor Cliff Barth, who accompanied the group. "I also thanked them for their support, because without them we couldn't have done it."
During the 45-minute visit, Barth provided a progress report on 2B1 and 2B2, a construction phase that generally encompasses the south side of the town. Workers continue to rebuild a levee running south from Minnesota Avenue to the city limits and install a storm sewer system underneath the railroad tracks. About a week ago, workers completed construction of a retention pond at the end of New York Avenue.
While the levee work has been necessary, Barth told the group that state and federal government needs to take a serious look at getting retention ponds to further protect the community. He received a positive response from the committee, which has apparently been discussing the issue.
"That's the only thing that will save the Valley," said Barth, who wants to see ponds holding up to 300,000 cubic feet of water. "But in the meantime, they still need to help us with flood protection, which they are doing."
Future work for the city includes 2B3, a section of land that follows the Otter Tail River, and 2A, the next phase of the project that covers the city’s north side. Bids for 2B3 will go out by the end of this month and hopefully next spring for 2A, said Barth.
As far as state dollars are concerned, Barth said the city essentially has the $4 million needed to finish the project. However, $5 million in federal funding still remains in the appropriations bill. Barth said he recently talked to Congressman Collin Peterson, D-7th District, who said the outlook is "very favorable."
"We appreciate all the support and cooperation we've gotten from the citizens of Breckenridge and Wahpeton," said Barth. "They've been putting up with the trucks hauling clay and with the streets being messed up...it will cause some chaos for awhile, but we're moving forward."
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