09-15-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes-September 15, 2008 3421 7. ROAD DEPARTMENT, Contract with Industrial Builders for bridae repairs approved County Engineer Keith Berndt said currently the county has 19 bridges with alert code 3 deficiencies. He said out of the 19, one is on a county road with the remainder on township roads. He is requesting the commission approve a contract with Industrial Builders to repair four bridges in Addison, Durbin and Walburg Townships. Three of the four contracts will correct alert code 3 deficiencies. Most of the repairs consist of driving new steel piling to replace existing rotted wood piling and their department does not own the necessary equipment to complete these kinds of repairs. Mr. Wagner asked how project costs will be paid. Mr. Berndt said expenses will be paid from the contracted bridge repair line item and supplies line item. Mr. Pawluk asked about statutory limitations regarding the bid process. Mr. Berndt said projects over $30,000 must go through the bid process; however, each of the four projects is under $30,000. MOTION, passed Mr. Wagner moved and Mr. Bennett seconded to approve the contract with Industrial Builders to complete minor repairs on four bridges in Addison, Durbin and Walburg Townships in Cass County. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. 8. ROAD DEPARTMENT, Road issue in Harmonv Township discussed Mr. Berndt said Harmony Township has requested assistance from the county with several miles of their township roads. A sugar beet piling station is located on a road within Harmony Township and board members believe their situation is unique because other piling stations in the Red River Valley are located on state or county highways. The township has negotiated a deal with growers to pay $.12 per ton to help with extra road maintenance costs, but indicated this revenue does not cover the additional expenses. Last week, he met with representatives from American Crystal Sugar and Harmony Township Board to discuss this issue. Mr. Berndt said due to the piling station and resulting traffic, the township has experienced an increase in maintenance costs and if the road is repaired, major re-shaping and graveling would be needed. Typically, the county does not use county road funds on township roads. Jim Howe, Harmony Township Board Chairman, was present. The township is asking for any type of financial consideration from the county and suggested a possible extension of Cass County Road 20 by four miles. He said within the last three years, the township has used $50,000 to $70,000 of their reserves on this section of road. John Grommesh, Harmony Township Board Treasurer, was present. He distributed income and expenses relating to road. The township is projecting a loss of $33,000 by the end of 2008. Mr. Berndt said funds are not available in the highway budget to repair this road. In order to extend County Road 20 by four miles, he would need to find four miles elsewhere in the county to remove from the system. He said the township has authority to place load restrictions on roads and this may become necessary.