Flume deal signed

Public works director Mark Clanton, right, explains to Shelbyville City Council members the scope of the work that needs to be done to repair the damage caused by a collapsing storm water flume. Cracks in the ground were clearly visible to the council and it appears that the pavement on North Main Street has sunken further into the ground. The council voted Tuesday to hire two firms to begin work on the project. From left are council members Jean Pruitt, Kay Rose, Lee Roy Cunningham, Jo Ann Holland, Al Stephenson and Clanton. (T-G Photo by Brian Mosely) [Order this photo]

On Tuesday, the city council met in an emergency meeting and approved entering into an agreement with Contech Construction Products, Inc., and Clanton Excavation to repair the damaged flume.

The flume collapsed during recent flooding and has resulted in the closure of North Main Street and parts of North Cannon Boulevard.

Councilman Lee Roy Cunningham asked if there was anything in the motion that mentions who will be paying for the repair work, but Mayor Wallace Cartwright stated that topic would be addressed later.

Many have speculated that recent digging done by a contractor for Shelbyville Power, Water and Sewerage System may have allowed water to wash out the fill material supporting the flume, causing the 12 foot by 18 foot pipe to collapse.

Cartwright also read into the record a section of the city code pertaining to "personal interest in non-voting matters," and that any potential conflict must be disclosed.

This was due to the fact that Clanton Excavation is owned and operated by public works director Mark Clanton's father and brother.

"He has no personal interest in it," Cartwright said of the public works director, with the mayor adding that it was Contech that recommended the local firm because they are knowledgeable and they have done "quite a bit of work with them."

"We're OK because we're the ones hiring them, not Mark," councilman Al Stephenson said.

Clanton said he has been in contact with Contech's engineer, who said the first step is to drill core samples to find out exactly what caused the collapse and how far the damage extends.

Stephenson asked Clanton if the core testing would determine that the contractor employed by the city's utility, Mayse Construction, was responsible for the damage.

"It's possible," Clanton said.

Clanton also told the council that there are other utility issues that will need to be addressed when work begins, such as water and sewer lines, as well as storm drains that cross into the path of where the digging will take place. Fortunately, no phone or power lines run under the area in question.

Following the brief meeting, Clanton and members of the council travelled to the site of the collapse to get a better idea of the extent of the damage.

Cunningham noted that the pavement and sidewalk had sunk noticeably further since the last time he was there.

Clanton explained to council members that the extent of the damage will not be fully known until the site is dug and examined.

"This is going to be the biggest project Shelbyville has had since the first collapse in 1963," Clanton said. "It's going to be a mess."

Also, workers have determined that the collapsed part of the flume runs directly under North Main Street and Clanton again stressed to council members how dangerous it would be for motorists to continue to use the street.