Tab on four county highway projects for this year hits $900,000

Four Crow Wing County highway projects are slated to move forward this year.

Duane Blanck, county highway engineer, told the Crow Wing County Board Tuesday that the four county road projects would cost about $900,000.

The projects are County Road 131, which would cost $400,000; County Road 140, which would cost $100,000; County Road 125, which would cost $200,000; and County Road 111, which would cost $200,000.

Blanck said there is only $700,000 available in the road and bridge fund for these projects. He said the $900,000 is only an estimate. The projects have not been advertised for bids. Some of the projects will be partially funded through federal road funds. Blanck said because of the mild winter, the department did not spend as much money on plowing. Excess plowing funds could also help pay for the road improvement projects.

If necessary, the department could borrow from other county funds and pay the borrowed amount back in the future, said Blanck.

County Road 125 is a federal project and a joint effort between Crow Wing and Cass counties. This project will provide upgraded access to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers campground and dam. The project does not include a new river crossing.

The County Roads 140 and 111 projects involved bituminous surfacing and the County Road 131 will involve a bituminous overlay.

In other county business, the commissioners:

Will advertise for construction management proposals for the Crosslake Joint Public Works facility project.

Cost of the project is estimated at $2.94 million. The county will pay 52 percent of the construction costs and Crosslake will pay 48 percent. Construction is set for mid-summer.

Received information about replacement of guard rails at county bridges. There are 25 bridges in the county. Each guard rail replacement will cost $2,500 for materials only. The ends of the guard rails do not meet national standards and should be replaced.

Blanck said he would like to replace the guard rails over a period of several years because of the cost. The county board supported the engineer's plan.

Heard an update on the compensatory time for the sheriff's department. The comp time will start with the April 13-26 pay period. Peter Herlofsky Jr., county administrator, reported that there will be two new codes on the employee's time sheet, one is for comp time hours actually worked and the other is for comp time used.

Employees must fill out a comp time certification slip for comp time worked and it has to be approved by a supervisor. The auditor's office will keep track of the comp time hours.

Approved a zoning change from green space to agricultural for 40 acres in St. Mathias Township. The request was made by Randy Knopik.

Agreed to rezone a 40-acre piece of land in Nokay Lake Township from green space to agricultural. The request was made by Rodney and Rahna Pierce.

Recognized that the household hazardous waste facility will open April 24. It will be open the second Saturday and Wednesday of each month through October.

Heard from Douglas Morris, solid waste coordinator, on the annual cleanup days in the area. Clean-up in Pequot Lakes will be April 20; Southeast Brainerd will be April 27; the annual Kiwanis cleanup will be May 4; cleanup in Crosby will be May 18; and a cleanup effort in Barrows is being considered.

Heard that businesses may bring in used electronics to the HHW facility on April 19 and Sept. 27. Businesses will pay 25 cents a pound for the disposal of the product. Morris said the facility had 3 tons of used electronics brought in last year from government and public entities in the county.

Heard that Wal-Mart will give a non-mercury thermometer in exchange for a mercury thermometer from April 1 to May 4 in conjunction with Earth Day. Morris said the department is working with Wal-Mart and will take the mercury thermometers to the HHW facility for disposal.