Wednesday, May 25th, 2011
Tornado costs city $153,665
By William Kincaid
CELINA - Last month's tornado will cost the city at least $153,665.97, according to preliminary estimates.
The total cost includes estimated property damage, assistance from outside entities and tree cleanup at Eastview Park.
Celina Planning and Community Development Director Kent Bryan said he believes the city should be almost fully compensated by its insurance company. So far, the city has received $11,050 for a $12,050 tree removal service after paying a $1,000 deductible, city auditor Emily Stewart said.
City council members this week approved an emergency ordinance to make necessary appropriations to pay the tornado-related bills.
The city was charged $19,268.33 by Wapakoneta, $2,671.64 by Minster and $8,520 by Vaughn Industries of Carey - a total of $30,459.97 - for helping to restore electricity near Havemann Road and state Route 29 after several city poles and lines were damaged during the storm.
Also, the city used electric revenue funds to purchase six new transmission poles and other materials at a cost of $30,000.
Eastview Park sustained significant damage, and $93,206 was appropriated from the park and recreation fund to replace various structures and pay for tree cleanup.
According to city estimates, costs include $57,435 to replace Eastview Park restrooms; $12,050 for tree service; $3,150 for a new wind screen for Montgomery Field; $19,395 to replace the Eastview shelter house, including labor; and $1,176 for doors on a storage building at Eastview Park.
Bryan said the city may wait until it receives insurance money to pursue some of the larger replacements.
The tornado that struck Celina on April 19 contained winds ranging from 115 to 150 miles per hour, earning it an EF2 rating, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington. It had an estimated path 30 yards wide.
