Earle underpass pump weathers storms

Earle underpass pump weathers storms

Two years after installation, no flooding at railroad

crossing

news@theeveningtimes.com

Almost two years after installing a new pump under the railroad underpass in Earle to keep the street dry, city officials are still singing its praises.

“We haven’t had any back up in a long time,” said Water Department manager Danny Clark. “I think the problem is solved.”

In 2015 city spent $14,000 for a heavy duty pump, fixed the retaining wall, and poured a new concrete basin to alleviate flooding and drainage problems at the railroad underpass at Main and Commerce Streets.

Flooding had been a major problem for a number of years at the underpass and the road was frequently impassable due to standing water.

Clark came up with a design for a new basin that allows a backhoe to drive in and scoop out mud and debris.

In the past, the city had to use a portable pump to drain the water but ruined several pumps because trash and debris would get stuck in the basin and prevent the pump from shutting

off.

The new pump has a breaker which automatically shuts the pump off to keep it from constantly running.

City Councilwoman Jimmie Barham thanked Clark for solving the problem.

“You came up with that and implemented it and I thank you,” Barham said.

In other business:

• City Clerk Cynthia Conner told the city council that the insurance adjuster will be in to inspect the damage to one of the city’s police cars. The car was wrecked on Dec. 25 during

a highway pursuit.

• Agreed to pay the membership

dues and for a hotel

room for Court Clerk Donna Garrett to attend the state court clerk’s certification program.

Councilwoman Jimmie Barham noted that the city has since stopped paying for hotel rooms for elected officials to attend Municipal League meetings because of the city’s declining financial fortunes.

“I would like to know how everybody else feels because we pay for ours because we don’t feel like with our budget we can do it,” Barham said.

Conner told the council that the city has been written up by state auditors for not sending employees for

enough training.

“That was one of the

things that the auditors have commented on and brought to our attention,” Conner said. “They do require that employees get their training in their positions.

Interim Mayor Robert Malone agreed that the city should pay for the training.

“The court clerk is very important,” Malone said. “I know the judge needs her to be very studious. You’ve got to be right. So she needs to go take this class.” City Attorney Davis Loftin agreed.

“Donna is doing an excellent job,” Loftin said. “She is really helping the court.”

A motion for the city to pay the $50 registration and $139 for a hotel room passed unanimously.

By Mark Randall