Rank Road runoff complaint brings resident, officials into drainage debate

CASHMERE — A resident’s complaint about stormwater crossing Rank Road prompted a pointed discussion at the Sept. 28 Cashmere City Council meeting, with city officials defending previous drainage work while acknowledging the problem remains unresolved.

Matt Tait, who appeared via Zoom, said runoff had damaged his property on Ledford Lane and that the city’s response had left him frustrated. Operations Director Steve Croci said crews had made significant improvements with the resources available, but a broader solution would require more work.

Tait told the council the drainage problem predates his purchase and development of the property. He said he had improved the road shoulder at his own expense and provided right of way to the city, but felt his efforts to work with city officials had not been reciprocated.

At one point, he said, sandbags placed on the city side of Rank Road diverted runoff onto his property, damaging an internal gravel road and utility-trench backfill.

Tait said a meeting with Croci and maintenance staff last fall produced a plan to install pipe in a trench along the property boundary, then backfill it. He accused Croci of changing that plan without consulting him.

“Steve changed that plan without discussing it with me,” Tait said.

Instead, Tait said, the city left an open ditch roughly two feet deep beside his pasture fence, with a portion crossing onto his property. Excavated dirt now interferes with fence maintenance and covers survey pins, he said.

While criticizing the city’s leadership, Tait praised maintenance employees for their work. He asked the city to address runoff crossing the road, restore fence access, protect the survey pins and work with him on a drainage solution.

Croci disputed the characterization of the city’s efforts, saying crews had done substantial work around Tait’s property.

“I agree 100% with Matt that it’s not perfect, but it’s what we could afford to do with the tools that we had, and I believe it worked for the most part,” Croci said.

He said the ditch approach followed consultation with county staff experienced in drainage work, who advised against using pipe because of the potential for clogging and failure.

Croci also described a larger problem involving runoff from surrounding orchards and development. Water that previously flowed from one orchard into another now encounters housing and expanded road shoulders, he said.

Mayor Jim Fletcher said additional hard surfaces contribute to runoff and that drainage improvements must account for where the water goes after reaching the bottom of the road. Redirecting it could simply move the problem onto another property.

Officials said previous engineered drainage proposals had been stalled by high bids. During the discussion, Croci acknowledged that the city’s work had kept water away from one area but pushed it farther downhill, where additional work was needed. He suggested a culvert beneath Ledford Lane might help prevent pooling.

Council members asked for maps, background information and an opportunity to see the conditions firsthand. Fletcher directed them to arrange visits with Croci so they could better understand the problem before further discussion.

Tait offered to meet with officials Oct. 12 and reiterated his view that a deeper ditch on the north side of Rank Road would help keep runoff from crossing onto his property.

“But I do agree, Steve, it’s a complicated problem,” Tait said.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media