05-01-1995 - Laserfiche WebLink

Comm. Minutes--May 1, 1995 1330 14. 15. 16. CONTRACT APPROVAL, Industrial Builders MOTION, passed Mrs. Schneider moved and Mr. Eckert seconded to approve the contract with Industrial Builders for Horace bridge replacement, as submitted by respective department head and portfolio commissioner, subject to State's Attorney approval; and authorize the chairman to sign. On roll call vote, motion carried unanimously. ROAD DEPARTMENT, Mill asphalt from portions of County Road 11 County Engineer Keith Berndt discussed his recommendation in a memorandum dated April 27, 1995, to mill asphalt back to gravel on portions of County Road 11 from County Road 22 north to the county line. He said segments of the road are in very poor condition and he does not anticipate reconstruction of the entire road, at an estimated cost of $4 million, because of its proximity to Interstate 29. At the current rate of deterioration, he said it will likely be all gravel within the next 2-5 years. Mr. Eckert said he has traveled on roads in other counties where portions of the road are graveled instead of paved, and he cannot support this concept. MOTION, passed Mrs. Toussaint moved and Mrs. Schneider seconded to authorize the county engineer to mill the asphalt surface on selected areas of County Road 11, according to memorandum dated April 27, 1995. On roll call vote, motion carried unanimously. SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS ORDINANCE, Second reading County Engineer Keith Berndt began the discussion on a proposed ordinance to implement special assessment authority for infrastructure improvements. Mark Bittner, City of Fargo Engineer, explained the financing formula for special assessment districts in the City of Fargo. He said local streets are funded by local residents, and arterial streets are funded in part by local residents and businesses, in addition to sales tax and state/federal highway funds. Mark Winkelman, President of Precision Marketing, Inc. discussed results of the telephone survey conducted by his firm concerning the use of special assessments to help fund road and bridge projects in the county. Jerome Nipstad, President of the Cass County Township Officer's Association, believes assessments would be more fair if levied county- wide, excluding the cities of Fargo and West Fargo, rather than creating small districts for each local project. Mr. Wieland does not believe a county-wide assessment could include any of the incorporated cities in the county. He received telephone calls suggesting that the county commission call for an election of rural voters to vote on an additional mill levy for the county, excluding incorporated cities, to be applied for roads and bridges. Mr. Nipstad said a mill levy in the rural areas would be preferable over special assessments since special assessments are not tax- deductible.