11-17-2008 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Road Advisory Minutes-November 17, 2008 2 potential for wind energy in North Dakota is well documented, which indicates that development will continue. Mr. Berndt is recommending that Cass County advocate and support efforts to streamline and encourage wind energy investment. The committee was supportive of Mr. Berndt pursuing each of the three the legislative issues discussed. 3. ECONOMIC STIMULUS FUNDING, Discussion Mr. Berndt was recently contacted by the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) regarding the possibility of an economic stimulus package being passed by Congress that would include additional 2009 Federal Highway Funding. Aside from this being very positive news, the downside is that funds would likely have to be obligated within 90 days of the legislation passing. The Commission previously approved using Federal Aid to complete a $2 million, 6 mile concrete overlay project on Highway 11 through Mapleton from 1-94 to Cass 22 in 2009. A letter from NDDOT dated November 10th and presented to committee members asks if the county would be willing to advance fund the project if congress passes continuing resolutions at 5/12 of full funding instead of an appropriation bill. The county would have to pay up front and then be reimbursed by the NDDOT when the Federal Highway Bill is passed. The risk to the county would be not being reimbursed if a highway bill is never passed by Congress. Mr. Berndt stated there are two options. One is to delay the Highway 11 project until May bids are opened or until federal funds become available. The second option would be to proceed as planned knowing the funding may have to be advanced and there would be a remote possibility of not being reimbursedif a highway bill is not passed. This option would be a very small risk as it is unlikely that a highway bill would not be passed. Mr. Berndt stated thay have one 2010 bridge project that is 99% ready to go as well as a 2010 overlay project that could be bid and awarded within 90 days if the economic stimulus package is passed by Congress as discussed. This would require that the county fund 20% of the project costs in 2009. Those costs were not budgeted. Mr. Montplaisir indicated that the county would have to again borrow money to fund the local match for these projects. Mrs. Sorum recommended Mr. Berndt proceed with planning for the possible 2009 construction of both projects as plans would be in place and ready if the bill passes. It was the consensus of the group that planning should be done for the Cass 7 Bridge and the Cass 4 overlay project as possibly economic stimulus projects. It was also agreed that Mr. Berndt should continue to proceed toward an April 2009 bid opening for the Highway 11 project. It was agreed that the committee would meet again when more information was available, but before the projects were bid. 4. CITY OF MAPLETON PROJECT REQUESTS Mr. Berndt stated that a rural section of Cass 11 exists through Mapleton and is scheduled to have an overlay in 2009. The City of Mapleton is asking for consideration in reconstructing the section, to make it an urban section to include curb, gutter and storm sewer. Mr. Berndt attended a meeting of the Mapleton City Council to discuss the project. The cost for reconstructing the section of road to an urban road would be an additional $600,000. Mr. Pawluk asked if precedence was set when the project through the City of Horace was completed as an urban road. Mr. Berndt stated the section of