03-20-2006 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Road Advisory Minutes-March 20, 2006 1 ROAD ADVISORY COMMITTEE MARCH 20, 2006-2:00 PM 1. MEETING TO ORDER Commissioner Robyn Sorum, Highway Department Portfolio Commissioner, called a meeting of the Road Advisory Committee to order at 2:00 PM on Monday, March 20, 2006, in the Commission Room, Cass County Courthouse. Members were present as follows: Vern Bennett, Darrell Vanyo, Scott Wagner, Ken Pawluk, Robyn Sorum, Rich Sieg, Jurgen Suhr, Dennis Rust and Mark Johnson. Keith Berndt was absent. Also present were Tom Soucy, Cass County Highway Department and Dave Rogness, Emergency Manager. 2. COUNTY HIGHWAY 1 DRAINAGE ISSUE, Discussion on reQuest from Tower City Mr. Sieg said the county received a request from Tower City to clean a short stretch of ditch along County Highway 1, south of 33rd Street SE and north of the city. The problem is that water ponds on the road at the intersection of 33rd Street during heavy rains and flooding. He said this portion of road appears to be at field level and if it is elevated, may improve the situation; however, the water flow to the east is slow to non-existent and he is not convinced that cleaning the silt out of the ditch will solve the problem. Mr. Suhr also serves on a county water board and said the city contacted the group for help with a cat tail problem in this area. He feels the cat tails act like a dam and stop the water from flowing like it should. The water board provided suggestions to spray the cat tails; however, it appears this has not been done. Mr. Sieg said the quarter section of land with the cat tail problem is owned by Patricia Baasch and the parcel on the north side of 33rd Street is farmed by Matt Richman. Mr. Pawluk said this appears to be a land owner problem since it is not a legal drain. Mr. Wagner said the topography of the land, not the county ditch appears to be part of the problem. Mr. Sieg said it would cost approximately $3,000 to clean out the ditch, but does not feel this will alleviate the water flow issue. The only suggestion he had was to look at the situation if and when 33rd Street may be scheduled for improvements. MOTION, passed Mr. Wagner moved and Mr. Pawluk seconded that the county decline the request from Tower City to clean the ditch along County Highway 1, north of Tower City; and a letter be sent to the city, including engineering information and referencing the cat tail problem in the area. Motion carried unanimously. 3. 2006 HIGHWAY PROJECTS, Update Mr. Sieg reviewed the proposed construction projects for 2006 and said the cost of oil may have an impact on the construction season. The 2006 season includes a grading project on County Highway 16 in Addison and Davenport Townships. Darrell Schroeder was present to discuss County Highway 16, west of Davenport and connecting with Highway 18. He asked if the stretch of Highway 16 be re- crowned. Mr. Sieg said the width of the highway and the time when it is bladed may also affect the condition of the road.