LANDRUM – The City of Landrum began discussing fixing a drainage ditch along Hwy. 14 adjacent to The Hay Rack during their Oct. 11 council work session.

According to Rich Caplan, city administrator, the drainage ditch has eroded and he conveyed to city council the project would cost an

estimated $35,000 following an examination by the Spartanburg County Public Works Department, but said $35,000 may be on the high end.

Caplan added the city would pay $15,000 out of their road fund while the state would supply $20,000 in funds from their highway fund for the project, which is to be allocated before January.

Caplan also said the City of Landrum assumed responsibility for the drainage back in 2005. City council member Jon Matheis took issue with the city having responsibility by saying the property owner did not hold up to the agreement made to fix the ditch then. According to Caplan, the adjacent property owner is Jim Strausbaugh.

Matheis asked if the city could no longer be responsible for the drainage once repairs are complete, to which Caplan responded the city could not back out of being held responsible since the city assumed responsibility for the ditch back in 2005.

City council member Billy Inman asked Caplan for a clarification of a clause in the contract to fix the drainage that stated Strausbaugh must provide materials to the construction, asking if that meant money or construction materials.

Caplan responded to Inman by saying either the county has materials for construction or the construction materials could be found on the property, saying materials like rock and pipe could be on location. He added Strausbaugh must make a contribution either in dollars or materials because his property is directly impacted. In addition to these materials, Strausbaugh has to provide a permanent easement for drainage to the city.

Because two of the six council members were not in attendance Tuesday evening, Inman then suggested city council members table the discussion until next month so a detailed plan can be put in place that includes a contribution from Strausbaugh. Council members John Carruth and Randy Wohnig were not in attendance Tuesday evening.

During their regular meeting, Mayor Bob Briggs said the council would table the discussion until further clarification of the contract is completed.