09-17-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes--September 17, 2001 2352 The subdivision review committee held their first meeting last week and is just beginning a r-- review of the county's subdivision policies. The proposed joint powers agreement would involve Cass County and Barnes Township relinquishing their planning and zoning authority to the City of West Fargo. The County Planner has discussed the agreement with the West Fargo Planning Department, and they initiated the idea in order to have one jurisdiction be responsible for this section of land in Barnes Township. Mr. Berndt said he visited with the developer of this 80 acres earlier today, and the developer is not overly concerned about the time line at this point. Parts of the subdivision scheduled for completion this fall are separate from this 80 acres identified in the joint powers agreement. For a development of this size, Mr. Berndt said traffic on the adjacent county highway will dramatically increase by several thousand vehicles per day. He said perhaps a condition of the joint powers agreement with the City of West Fargo could include that the subdivision developer fund a certain amount for intersection improvements, subject to the State's Attorney approving such added language. Other legal questions were discussed, and Mr. Burdick will meet with the County Engineer to discuss the issues and answers. MOTION, passed Mrs. Schneider moved and Mr. Wieland seconded to delay a decision on the joint powers agreement for land situated in Barnes Township, until such time as the Cass County State's Attorney has an opportunity to review and respond to questions raised at today's _ meeting. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. 16. ROAD DEPARTMENT, Reed Townshio bridae over Shevenne River Keith Berndt provided some background information on a bridge over the Sheyenne River between Sections 7-18, Reed Township, which was closed to traffic following an inspection of its condition on August 30, 2001. The Board was referred to County Commission minutes of October 2, 1995, and a Memorandum of Understanding with Reed Township signed by the Chairman of the Reed Township Board of Supervisors on November 5, 1995 and by the Cass County Commission Chairman on November 20, 1995. The County Highway Department made temporary repairs to the bridge in 1995-96 to allow Reed Township time to improve an alternate route to the four homes served by the bridge in anticipation of its future elimination, according to Mr. Berndt. However, in a memorandum to Commissioners dated September 4, 2001, he said the township roads that could provide an alternate access to these four homes have not been improved to the point of providing all- weather access. Mr. Berndt noted that townships now have some authority they did not have in 1995, which is to set up special assessment districts as a means of raising funds for a project such as this, if they so choose. According to Mr. Berndt, a replacement bridge would cost approximately $700,000, the cost of additional temporary repairs would be in the range of $50,000-$70,000, or the bridge may be eliminated in the interest of public safety due to its advanced state of deterioration. _. A number of citizens were present to request that the bridge be repaired, instead of being eliminated, including Bruce Brodsho, represented by Attorney Rob Manly, Roberta Johnson of the Lower Sheyenne Flood Victims Association (also represented by Mr. Manly today), Vicki Brodsho, and Les Staples.