03-18-1991 - Laserfiche WebLink

Comm. Minutes--March 18, 1991 640 a 60-40 match. Mr. Richards said he doesn't have money in his budget but asked if there are any available county park funds. Mr. Eckert wants to explore other possible sources of funding, such as State Parks and Recreation. Mr. Richards said he will respond to the State Department of Transportation saying that Cass County is interested in demonstration project funding for paving the road leading to Brewer Lake and will seek other funding, but funds are not available now. 10. ROAD PROJECTS, Federal aid program approved Don Richards requested approval of the 1992-1993 federal aid program to include bridge replacement on Drain #13 six miles east of Gardner at a total estimated cost of $200,000 scheduled for bid opening May 17, 1991; Red River bridge four miles south and six miles east of Gardner, estimated at $450,000; Maple River bridge south of Chaffee estimated at $270,000; and paving 6 miles of County Road 10 from Mapleton to West Fargo at an estimated cost of $900,000. MOTION, passed Mr. Eckert moved and Mr. Wieland seconded that the County Engineer submit the program to the North Dakota Highway Department for federal aid projects, namely bridge replacement projects on County Road 31 six miles east of Gardner, Red River bridge on County Road 34 southeast of Gardner, and Maple River bridge on County Road 5 four miles south of Chaffee; and a road paving project for six miles on County Road 10 from Mapleton to West Fargo. On roll call vote, motion carried unanimously. 11. ROAD ENGINEER TRAVEL, Voucher approved and policy to be defined Questions were asked at the last meeting about mileage reimbursement for engineer Don Richards on his last travel voucher for a trip to Cincinnati, OH. Auditor Michael Montplaisir couldn't find written policy on the county not paying mileage in excess of what it would have cost for air fare but that has been the practice. Mrs. Toussaint said the mileage reimbursement request was for $502.00 but a round trip ticket at that time would have cost $309-$355 depending on date of purchase. She also said there are more days on the travel voucher than the Commission approved for out of state travel. Mr. Richards said he called a travel agency for the price of a flight two times before taking the trip and was quoted a price of $504. He said he didn't charge for meals. The Commission granted out of state travel to Cincinnati for the dates of February 10-13 but as an officer of the National Association of County Engineers, Mr. Richards said he had meetings before and after the regular convention dates. At the last meeting, it was also noted that Mr. Richards' travel voucher included a trip to Brainerd, MN, but he didn't request out of state travel approval. Mr. Eckert said that trip was a bridge-related item, and he doesn't think the Commission needs to approve out of state travel for normal business. Mr. Montplaisir said air fare is substantially cheaper during weekdays and the county can save $300-$400 on one trip even with the price of additional nights in a motel. He said this is a question tha% often arises when employees plan to travel by air.