July 2025 Emergency Meeting Minutes

EMERGENCY COUNCIL MEETING

July 28, 2025

The City Council of the City of Woden met in emergency session on Monday, July 28, 2025 at 6:00pm, Woden Community Center.

 The meeting was called to order by Mayor Paul Buns at 6:01pm.

 Council members present were: Bill Rout, Jeff Stucki, Andrew Plessel, Tip Piper and Dylan Brandt

 Absent: None

Piper made the motion to approve the agenda, Plessel seconded

 Ayes- 5           Nays- 0            Motion Carried

BUSINESS

Water and Drain Tile Issues Affecting Residence South of the Coop – Causes and Solutions

Piper presented Power Point slide show of rainfall from Saturday, July 19th, including video of the water flow from north to south into town instead of away from town.  Included video from July 23rd rain showing similar flow.

Following the presentation, the forum was opened up for public comment, with many long term residence giving their accounts of the water flow both past and present, with the consensus being that the changes made by the Co-op this summer (filled in ditch with loads of dirt) has reversed that flow of rain water back into town (south) as opposed to running out of town (north) from the Co-op owned lands as has happened historically due to the previous lay of the land.

Tyler Kloser, Site Manager of the Woden location and the representative from the Gold Eagle Co-op, discussed the heavy June and July rains this summer.  He also stated that the Co-op has hired an Engineer to come out and access the area of land in question.

Discussions were then had about possible solutions, but nothing was given due to waiting for report from Co-op Engineer.

Woden City Attorney Earl Hill then discussed that the City should obtain its own Engineer to access the changes made by the Co-op.

Open forum was closed by Mayor Buns at 6:50 and Council went into closed session.

Attorney Earl Hill reiterated to the Council it should obtain an Engineer to establish if Co-op is at fault for diverting water flow.

Plessel excused himself from the meeting at 7:15 for work.

At this point, the council discussed short term work arounds to keep the section of town in question from flooding during coming rains.  It was determined that a temporary pump and hosing would be put in place that night to help mitigate the water running into town from Co-op lands.

Long term strategy step one was determined to be hiring an Engineer to access the current situation and go from there.

Short term solution is as mentioned above.

Also in attendance for the meeting was Andy Buffington from Emergency Management Services, who volunteered to provide a pump and hosing to help divert water for the short term solution.

Adjournment: Rout made motion to adjourn at 7:43 PM, Piper seconded

Ayes- 4 (Plessel Absent)          Nays- 0            Motion Carried

City Clerk                                                                                            Mayor