11-17-2003 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Road Advisory Minutes--November 17, 2003 3 PROSPER FARMERS CO-OP ELEVATOR, Re(~ue~t to add road to county system Mark Dooley, General Manager of the Chaffee-Lynchburg Elevator, was present in place of $id Mauch, Manager of the Prosper Farmers Elevator, concerning their request to add a road to the Cass County highway system. The proposed new road would run between old Highway 10 near the underpass south of Casselton, north to the elevator. Mr. Berndt was authorized at the October 20, 2003, Road Advisory meeting to spend up to $20,000 to complete the design work, and he was asked to provide additional information on the proposed project. He contracted With Moore Engineering Company to do the preliminary survey work and archeological report. Moore Engineering estimated the cost of the project at $671,000 for an 8" concrete road with 12"of aggregate base, excluding any design work or the land acquisition. The North Dakota Department of Transportation (DOT) has been approached about the project, and Mr. Berndt said he understands they are supportive of the project but not interested in putting the road on the State system, eVen though a State Highway is nearby. A representative of the DOT, Bob Walton, said at the October 20th meeting that the State would pay 50% of the cost of the road, not to exceed $200,000. The City of Casselton is also supportive of the project and willing to contribute financially. Mr. Dooley believes there is interest on the part of the city to take over the road at some point because they want to keep the trucks out of toWn. Mr. Meyer indicated the Mayor of Casselton said the city would take care of the snow removal on the road. Mr. Wagner said the county does not commit funds for private roads, and he wondered who would pay future costs when the road needs to be rebuilt. Another issue, he said, is liability for insurance purposes if this road is on the county road system. On the maintenance concern, Mr. Berndt said language coUld be written into the contract that the county would not be responsible for future repairs. He felt it would be difficult to avoid the liability issue. Mr. Bennett said a motion was made at the October 20, 2003, meeting that Cass County fund the project at a 20% match, not to exceed $100,000. The motion failed on a roll call vote; however, he feels the project should proceed with a total of $100,000 from Cass County, the State contributing $400,000, and the business paying the remainder. If the State would place the road on the State Highway System, he still believes the county should contribute $80,000 in addition to the $20,000 spent for preliminary design work. He said the elevator and the City of Casselton should work out the details of future maintenance and snow removall and he believes it is time to find out to what degree the State, the City of Casselton and the elevator will participate. Mrs. Sorum said she would like more information ow participation by the City of Casselton before agreeing to place the road on the County system. Mr. Berndt said not knowing the county's position may make it more difficult for the city in making their decision. He said the county could tell the city, at th~s point, there may be a willingness to put the road on the county system; however, the County does not have additional money at this time. He said it was helpful to complete the design work and the archeological report before it snowed. It would also be helpful to get the appraisal work done, at a cost of about $2,000, if the project comes to fruition.