Jeff Showalter spoke to the Riverside City Council August 21. Photo by Sam McIntosh.

Riverside City Council discussed a property owner issue due to the Washburn and 2nd Streets project at their recent meeting.

Residents Jeff and Linda Showalter sent photos of mud erosion damage that was incurred to the sidewalk and garage on their 2nd Street property following heavy rainfall in July. Glen Meisner of MMS Consultants explains the issue, “What essentially happened was that contractor put silk fabric inside the intake to keep the soil from going down into the intake controlling erosion. So what happened was the soil got in there and filled up and then wouldn’t let the water go through that fabric and so the water built up and spilled over on the sidewalk.”

The Showalters requested to be reimbursed for the 25 hours of labor they worked to remove mud from their sidewalk and garage, for a total of $250. The council approved Meisner contacting Dave Schmitt Construction to reimburse the couple, and if the contractor didn’t agree the city would write a check for the Showalters. Utility Billing Clerk Becky LaRoche says after discussion with Meisner the contractor has agreed to pay the $250 to the couple.