11-20-2006 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Road Advisory Minutes-November 20, 2006 ROAD ADVISORY COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 20, 2006--2:05 PM 1. MEETING TO ORDER Commissioner Robyn Sorum called a meeting of the Road Advisory Committee to order at 2:05 PM on Monday, November 20, 2006, in the Commission Room, Cass County Courthouse. Members were present as follows: Vern Bennett, Darrell Vanyo, Scott Wagner, Ken Pawluk, Robyn Sorum, Keith Berndt, Rich Sieg, Jurgen Suhr and Scott Sa ewert, who was appointed to replace Dennis Rust. Mark Johnson was absent. 2. TURNOVER OF COUNTY HIGHWAYS TO CITIES OF FARGO AND WEST FARGO, Revised. Approved Mr. Berndt distributed a handout and draft policy to committee members regarding county highways in incorporated cities. Examples were presented of Minnesota counties that retain jurisdiction of county highways in municipalities that meet functional class and other criteria. He said the advantage of turning county highways over to cities with populations over 5,000 would be county cost savings. The disadvantage would be, that it may jeopardize the continuity of the highway system. He said the committee needs to address the policy and decide if the county wishes to turn over or retain county highways in cities with populations over 5,000. He stated there may be instances that would be appropriate for the county to maintain jurisdiction of arterial highways that have larger area significance. He said the draft policy states the county will maintain county highways running through or adjacent to cities with populations of less than 5,000. County highways running through or adjacent to cities with populations greater than 5,000 will be turned over to the respective cities. Mr. Bennett questioned the loss of county revenue by turning roadways over to cities. Mr. Berndt explained that annexation would cause a slight loss of revenues. Mr. Pawluk questioned whether county highways should be maintained by the county and used as expressways. Mr. Vanyo recommended the policy include a clause which would forewarn cities that within a certain time after annexation roads would be turned over to the city. He suggested language stating that county highways within cities larger than 5,000 people should be targeted for turnover within two years following annexation. This would allow cities time to budget accordingly and allow all circumstances to be considered. Mr. Pawluk stated when cities annex there should not be a waiting period for turning over roads. MOTION, passed Mr. Vanyo moved and Mr. Wagner seconded to approve the policy with the following amendment: county highways should be targeted for turnover to the cities with populations over 5,000, two years following the time as the majority of land on both sides of the highway is annexed. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. MOTION, passed Mr. Vanyo moved and Mr. Wagner seconded to approve the policy for cities with populations of less than 5,000 as presented. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously.