Floodplain Manager Mark McEuen addressed the Bourbon Board of Aldermen on March 25 about issues regarding a sign stuck in a storm drain, causing a flow issue. 

McEuen introduced a problem to the board about a sign caught in a storm drain.

“Got an issue there on Main Street, looks like it may be a campaign sign stuck in the storm drain,” said McEuen. 

Mayor David Lafferty said he noticed the pillars placed on Main Street.

“I was wondering why them pillars were down there,” said Lafferty.

McEuen said they are struggling to reach the sign with the sewer jet.

“Our sewer jet, we can’t get a hold of it,” said McEuen. “It’s too far up there to climb up there, to get it. So I may have to dig a hole in the street,” said McEuen.

The board asked McEuen to clarify why he needs to dig up the street.

“Just to get a sign?” asked City Clerk Cathy Bremer.

“No, a sewer jet,” said Alderman Mary Heywood.

McEuen said he was talking about digging a hole in the street to get the sign out because it keeps clogging a pipe.

“It looks like a sign, but it’s hard to tell,” McEuen said. It’s something white.” 

Alderman Tim Davis asked about the location of the sign.

“There in front of Bremer’s (Hardware and Lumber),” said McEuen.

“We’ve been so lucky for the last four years, we haven’t torn up the street,” said Lafferty.

“That’s why I haven’t been too eager to do it, ‘cause I would hate to tear up the street,” said McEuen.

Alderman Margie Brine asked if the sign could go away on its own.

“Is it just going to wash away?” asked Brine.

“Well, I was hoping that; it has not happened,” said McEuen.

The board laughed.

Resident Cathy Alexander asked McEuen what material the pipe is made from.

“Is it concrete pipe?” asked Alexander.

“No, it’s plastic pipe,” said McEuen.

Lafferty asked about the location of an intake related to the sign situation.

“How far is it from that intake?” asked Lafferty.

“It’s about 50 feet up from Bremer’s and then about 100 feet from Highway N up there at the corner,” said McEuen.

Brine was in favor of resolving the issue.

“Well, the rain is gonna start coming. We probably need to do something about it,” said Brine. 

Heywood said she had a hard time visualizing the sign and asked McEuen what it was made of.

“A square sign?” asked Heywood.

“That’s what it looks like. One of those square plastic signs with the wire in it,” said McEuen. 

He estimated that the sign is blocking a 12-inch plastic pipe.

Lafferty asked McEuen about ways to avoid tearing up the street.

“Can we rent something that’s got a way bigger auger on it?” asked Lafferty.

“I could call the rental place in Cuba and see what he’s got,” said McEuen.

Lafferty recommended calling Cuba Equipment Rental.

“I would much rather rent something than tear up the street,” said Lafferty. “Look into that first before we do anything else. I know they’ve got stuff out there that they run in a big pipe to clean out the roots and stuff,” said Lafferty. “If we get something 10 inches or something, it will tear that sign up out of there.”

Resident Sky Huddleston said that the board should send in a drone to grab the sign.

“It will tear it into pieces and go away,” said Lafferty.

Lafferty recommended to McEuen to come up with other options than tearing up the street.

In other business, Francine Rohrer, Bourbon Parks and Recreation Board member, addressed the aldermen about a potential grant.

“I’m looking to do another grant because there is another structure that I would like to put up in the park,” said Rohrer.

Bourbon was the first to have a pickleball court in Crawford County, and Rohrer thinks being awarded this grant would bring another first for the city. 

Lafferty asked what the grant was for.

“I can’t think of the guy’s name, but he runs outdoor websites, and it’s like putting the hammock that will hold up for people to climb on, to swing on, and it’s industrial," said Rohrer. 

“Yeah, he built one at Camp Mihaska,” said McEuen.

Roher said her goal is to pay for the hammock with a grant, and she was willing to write it.

“And I would really not like that in the paper, but that’s what we’re looking to do, is write a grant because I want to write a grant,” said Rohrer. “I’ve seen the one out at Camp Mihaska. It’s really cool, it gets a lot of use.”

Lafferty asked what ground cover is under the hammock at Mihaska, adding it may be necessary in terms of liability.

“Just ground,” said Rohrer.

Lafferty said he was concerned about someone getting hurt.

“I was just thinking about somebody falling out of there,” said Lafferty.

Rohrer said she asked about liability issues out at Mihaska, and they have not had issues out there.

Lafferty recommended action to make the hammock safer.

“If you put mulch under there, it’d be way softer,” said Lafferty.

Roher agreed. 

“If we can get that far, if we can get the dollars for it, then we’ll know,” said Roher. “I think the park looks good. Spring is coming, and it’s going to be utilized a lot.”

The next meeting will be at 7 p.m. on April 21 at City Hall.