09-29-2003 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Road Advisory Committee Minutes--September 29, 2003 1 ROAD ADVISORY COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 29, 2003--1:35 PM MEETING TO ORDER Commissioner Scott Wagner called to order a meeting of the Road Advisory Committee at 1:35 PM, Monday, September 29, 2003, in the Commission Room, Cass County Courthouse. The following members were present: Robyn Sorum, Vern Bennett, Scott Wagner, Keith Berndt and Mark Johnson. John Meyer, Darrell Vanyo, Rich Sieg, Jurgen Suhr and Dennis Rust were absent. Due to lack of a quorum, no official action could be taken. FEDERAL AID HIGHWAY PROJECTS FOR 2005-2006, Discussed; current traffic counts requested Mr. Berndt said the county will receive $1,065,000 federal funds for 2004; $1,032,000 in 2005; and about $1,000,000 in 2006. He is looking for direction from the committee and the County Commission on future read needs. If the Commission wants to surface any gravel roads, he suggested three options to choose from: Cass 14 from 1-29 to the Sheyenne River; Cass 16 from Davenport to State Highway 18; and Cass 11 from Cass 4 to Cass 26. Mr. Berndt gave brief descriptions on each of the projects as well as daily traffic volumes from 1994. Mr. Bennett suggested more current traffic figures be obtained. Mr. Berndt reported Commissioner Meyer had asked him to convey his position to the group. Mr. Meyer said he strongly supported paving Cass 16 for a number of reasons: it provides a missing connection between State 18 and 1-29 for this part of the county; it serves four churches in the area; and it affects bus routes from Kindred, Casselton, and Leonard schools. Mr. Wagner asked about the county's share of funding. Mr. Berndt said the match is 80/20, with the county contributing 20% of the cost. Mr. Wagner said increased maintenance costs need to be considered when new paved roads are added to the county's road system. He asked if federal funds may be used on existing roads. Mr. Berndt said they may be used on existing pavements; however, certain criteria have to be met. Mr. Clarence Discher from rural Davenport was present. He supports paving Cass 16 from Davenport to State Highway 18. He said area residents have wanted to pave this stretch of road since 1937 and have had problems obtaining right-of-way to complete the project. Mr. Bennett traveled to all three sites. He supports paving 2.8 miles of Cass 14 from 1-29 to County Road 17. He questioned whether paving the mile between County 17 and the Sheyenne River was warranted. He does not object to paving Cass 16; however, the cost needs to be considered. He said Cass 11 did not appear to have sufficient traffic to warrant paving.