Mayor wants action to prevent flooding
Museum, Scout House ponds could be updated
Mayor Delores Dalke wants Hillsboro City Council to take immediate action to protect the Peter Paul Loewen House and the Scout House from flood waters.
During the Nov. 20 meeting, Dalke said drainage issues in that area had to be addressed and she wanted to take immediate action to protect the city's property.
The Loewen House, also known as the Adobe House, is on the national historic register.
According to a report from city engineer Bob Privatera of Reiss & Goodness Engineers of Wichita, the structures are in danger of being flooded following heavy rains.
Two ponds lie between the Loewen House and the Scout House, both in Memorial Park. During recent heavy rains, the report read, the walk-out basement of the Scout House was flooded and there was water within one vertical foot of the Loewen House.
Privatera suggested a baffle be installed around the north pond which would prevent the top of the pond from being "clogged" by debris and unable to drain.
A 36-inch concrete outlet pipe would be installed which should keep the pond from rising to the elevation of the emergency spillway.
The report also suggested the draw-down structure, which is located at the south end of the north pond, and the emergency spillway should be lowered.
Regarding the south pond, Privatera recommended a draw-down structure at least as large as the north pond be installed with a more centrally located emergency spillway to move water faster.
"The Scout House floods because it was built too low," the report continued. Flooding also is caused by drainage off Ash Street. A retaining wall needs to be constructed around the patio on the east side of the Scout House. A sump pump also could be installed in the patio to help drain the area.
Dalke said she wanted to prevent more flooding issues this spring.
Other drainage reports were reviewed by the council that included West Winds Subdivision and Adams to Wilson streets from D to E.
