11-17-2003 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Road Advisory Minutes--November 17, 2003 1 ROAD ADVISORY COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 17, 2003--1:00 PM MEETING TO ORDER Commissioner John Meyer, Highway Department Portfolio Commissioner, called a meeting of the Road Advisory Committee to order at 1:00 PM on Monday, November 17, 2003, in the Commission Room, Cass County Courthouse. All members were present as follows: Robyn Sorum, Vern Bennett, Scott Wagner, John Meyer, Darrell Vanyo, Keith Berndt, Rich Sieg, Jurgen Suhr, Dennis Rust and Mark Johnson. Also present were Tom Soucy and Mike Zimney from the County Highway Department, two representatives of the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute and citizens who were appearing on two other agenda items. HIGHWAY SURVEY, 5-year i~lan discussed The County Highway Department, working in cooperation with the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute, drafted a 5-year County Transportation Plan and asked road advisory members to complete a survey form to assist in the planning process. A list of the projects, some already screened out by the Highway Department, was provided to committee members asking them to prioritize the projects, which were categorized as safety and environment, maintenance, capital improvements, administration and planning. Information was also supplied on anticipated revenues and expenditures for the next five years. Mr. Berndt explained how highway projects have been prioritized in the past and said first priority is generally given to routine maintenance and asphalt overlay projects to preserve existing pavements. The list of potential projects on the 5-year plan was compiled after input from citizens and county staff. Using an average of 24 miles of overlay each year for the next 5 years, Mr. Berndt anticipated a cost of $3,000,000 per year to oveday each paved road every 15 years, which is the length of time used for planning purposes between initial construction and the need for overlays. He estimated that a very limited amount of funding (about $400,000 per year) will be available for other projects that may be requested. He said the County Commission Policy, Section 9.30, specifies, among other things, that gravel surfaced roads will be considered for county-funded paving only if the current or 5-year projected traffic volume exceeds 400 vehicles per day. Gene Griffin and Jill Hough were present from the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute, and Mr. Griffin explained the survey further and said they would work with the county highway department to tabulate the results. Some committee members completed portions of the survey prior to today's meeting. Others, however, felt they did not have enough information to make a determination on prioritizing all of the projects. A suggestion was made to allow more time to answer the survey and possibly drive over the roads that were unfamiliar. Mr. Wagner suggested that committee members be given an overall picture of highway projects in terms of cost and available revenue. He said some maintenance projects may need to be delayed to accomplish all of the projects or the alternative is raising taxes.