09-20-1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes--September 20, 1999 2043 Mrs. Quick asked for other comments on the 2000 county budget and hearing none, closed the public hearing. The budget is available for review in the county auditor's office during normal business hours, and she reminded everyone of the special meeting to adopt the final budget at 3:30 PM in the Commission Room on September 27,1999. 8. ROAD DEPARTMENT, 45th Street Corridor Study County Engineer Keith Berndt, Brian Shorten from the Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Council of Governments (COG), and two representatives of DS-Lea and Associates were present for a report on the 45th Street Corridor Study, which recommends that 200' of right of way be preserved from 32nd Avenue to 52nd Avenue Southwest. The City of Fargo plans to construct an asphalt two-lane road in 2000, with reconstruction to a four-lane divided concrete roadway at some future date. MOTION, passed Mr. Meyer moved and Mrs. Schneider seconded to adopt the 45th Street Southwest Corridor Study. On roll call vote, motion carried unanimously. 9. RESOLUTION #1999-15, Delayed on County Highway 6 speed limit and bridge posting Additional information was provided since the last meeting by Keith Berndt in a memorandum dated September 9, 1999, regarding the board's resolution to post Class 1 road restrictions, with the county engineer being authorized to use his discretion in issuing permits for heavier loads. The resolution included lowering the speed limit to 40 miles per hour for all vehicles and posting advance weight limit signs regarding a bridge. Mr. Berndt said North Dakota statutes allow local authorities to set speed limits, when warranted, on the basis of engineering and traffic analysis. Therefore, he asked the board to clarify or reconsider their action of the last meeting and to consider conducting an engineering study. Birch Burdick, State's Attorney, asked what is involved in undertaking an engineering and traffic analysis. Mr. Berndt said he could do the study himself in a few weeks' time, however, he recommended that the Fargo Moorhead Metropolitan Council of Governments conduct the study because it would be viewed as more objective. Mr. Wieland believes the evidence has been substantiated that the road is deteriorating, and the factors include speed and increased traffic, especially around 7:30 AM and 5:30 PM. He would not, however, oppose delaying a final decision until a study is completed. Mr. Koenig said County Highway 17 was also discussed at the last meeting and should be included in the study. Mrs. Schneider agreed with asking the Council of Governments to conduct the study, and to provide a recommendation to the board of commissioners. MOTION, passed Mrs. Schneider moved to proceed with an independent study on Cass County Highways 6 and 17 through the Fargo Moorhead Metropolitan Council of Governments before making a decision on reducing the speed limit, with a report back by January 1, 2000, and to remove the 40 mile per hour sign for trucks using County Highway 6. Mrs. Quick relinquished the Chair to the Vice Chair, John Meyer, in order to second the motion. Discussion: Mrs. Quick asked for advice from the State's Attorney, and Mr. Burdick was in agreement with Mr. Berndt's review of the statutes pertaining to local authorities making a