08-13-2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes-August 13, 2007 3248 MOTION, passed Mr. Vanyo moved and Mr. Pawluk seconded to reduce the proposed 2008 remodeling budget for the Highway Department from $15,000 to $5,000. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Bennett arrived at 8:50 AM. Mrs. Johnson said a light ballast replacement project for the Courthouse is budgeted for 2008 and the maintenance employees could assist with the highway department project if Mr. Berndt wishes. Mr. Berndt budgeted to spend $50,000 each in 2006 and 2007 on concrete work at the maintenance shop. The work was completed in 2007 and with inflation had a cost of $180,000. Mr. Pawluk questioned if $100,000 was approved how it ended up being so much higher. Mr. Berndt replied in a budget of $13 million dollars it is not unusual to be off in an estimate. County road crews completed the base work to keep the costs as economical as possible. The concrete placement was contracted out because it was a larger project than county staff could effectively complete. Mrs. Sorum asked Mr. Berndt to speak further on Cass County Road 16. Mr. Berndt stated that if the board wished to proceed with Cass 16, he suggested they consider supplemental revenue to fund it. One method would be to levy an additional two mills for five years, which would cover about half of the project costs. He is not recommending it at this time, but indicated funding the Cass 16 project would delay the county overlay program by about two years since approximately $3 million per year is currently spent on overlays to preserve pavements. Mr. Berndt provided a spreadsheet that listed pavements and ages to illustrate how the potential Cass 16 surfacing would affect the overlay program over the next 10 years. It was noted the roads should typically be overlaid every 15 to 20 years. The spreadsheet also indicated a number of roads likely to go beyond 20 years between surfacing. Mr. Wagner said this project has been discussed in the past as safety continues to be an issue and questioned what standards are used in prioritizing roads for construction. If traffic volume is 400 cars per day or it is anticipated the traffic count will grow to that number or above in the near future, those roads would be considered. The Cass 17 project has a higher cost estimate because of intersection work and the need to add turning lanes. Mr. Pawluk feels that roads which will be turned over to the city because of population growth should be turned over sooner than later. MOTION, failed Mr. Pawluk moved and Mr. Bennett seconded to reduce the Cass County 17 project by $300,000 bringing the cost to $2,700,000 and to move the $300,000 to the Cass County 16 project. Discussion: Mrs. Sorum asked Mr. Berndt what would happen with the Cass 17 project if the budget were decreased. The City of Horace has set aside $200,000 for County 17 improvements and to make the project more feasible could be asked to contribute additional funding. Mrs. Sorum stated it is not justifiable to take from one project to do another. Mr. Vanyo said if Mr. Berndt is certain he can make it work it would be one way to get both projects done. On roll call vote, the motion failed with Mr. Bennett and Mr. Pawluk voting "Yes" and Mrs. Sorum, Mr. Vanyo, and Mr. Wagner voting "No".