04-05-1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes--April5, 1999 1961 MOTION, passed Mr. Wieland moved and Mr. Koenig seconded to table the sale of this property until the State's Attorney has an opportunity to review all options and bring back a recommendation when the full Board is present. On roll call vote, motion carried unanimously. 13. ROAD DEPARTMENT, Bridge removal near City of Mapleton delayed: bridge in Rochester Townshio to be removed Keith Berndt, County Engineer, requested authorization to remove a bridge near the City of Mapleton, which was built in 1941 and has been deficient for many years. The bridge sustained further damage during the 1997 flood and has been closed for the past two years. He estimated the cost of replacement to be $400,000. A homeowner living near the bridge uses an alternate township road, which has two low areas, and Mr. Berndt recommended some minor reshaping of those two areas in conjunction with the bridge removal. A number of people were present in the audience. Gerald Moderow, Durbin Township Board, said the townships of Harmony and Durbin have been maintaining the road and would like some help from the county and the City of Mapleton with graveling the first couple of miles. Jim Nelson, Harmony Township Board, said his township sent a bill to the City of Mapleton for expenses on the road within their city limits, but they never received reimbursement. He was concerned about being responsible for the expenses but they do not receive the tax revenue. Titus Larson, Mapleton, addressed the board at this time. He is the homeowner mentioned earlier today who lives near the bridge, and he said there is another party who lives beyond him who was not informed by the county of this discussion today. Mr. Larson asked for additional time to prepare a case for keeping the bridge. He said children walk across the railroad tracks to get to his property, and he favors replacing the bridge but doesn't believe it would cost $400,000. Also, he has understood that FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) allowed $30,000 to fix this bridge after the 1997 flood. He has talked to someone who would repair it for that amount. Mr. Berndt said he does not agree that the bridge could be suitably repaired for $30,000 as the bridge is deteriorating overall and is beyond economical repair. Mike Kasowski, Casselton, lives down the road from Titus Larson and said this was a good bridge, however, he feels it was damaged by heavy truck traffic being detoured over it when construction work was done on a bridge one mile north of Mapleton. He agreed with the request to delay a decision today and said he also believes FEMA allocated money for its repair and that it can be repaired for $30,000. MOTION, passed Mr. Wieland moved and Mr. Koenig seconded to extend the discussion on closing the bridge near Mapleton to the first meeting in May to allow an opportunity for concerned citizens to present facts and documentation concerning this bridge. Discussion: Rosemary Heise, Mayor of Mapleton, said she was not aware of any request for reimbursement from the townships for maintenance on a portion of this road, however, she welcomed the 30-day time extension to review the situation. Ms. Heise does not foresee the City of Mapleton participating in a $400,000 bridge replacement project. Mr. Wieland suggested that Paul Koenig as road portfolio commissioner, the road