By Melanie Stegner

news@pctribune.com

The Pope County Board of Commissioners met last Tuesday in regular session to reappoint the surveyor, recognize a retiree and discuss a local road improvement program grant sponsorship for Leven Township.

The county surveyor is appointed for a four-year term. Rodney Eldevik has been serving in this regard for several years. “How long have you been our surveyor?” Commissioner Gordy Wagner asked him. After a few seconds of thought Eldevik laughed and said, “long time!” County Auditor/Treasurer Stephanie Rust administered the oath of office. 

The commissioners recognized Mike McMahon for his contributions to the highway department over the length of his employment. He began his employment with the county in 1991 first as a maintenance worker and then as the highway maintenance supervisor. He was thanked for his 32 years of service.

Leven Township has expressed interest in applying for a Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) grant for the improvement of 210th Ave. between the CHS grain elevator located in Glenwood and CSAH 28 and County Engineer Brian Giese and Leven Township Supervisor Brian Wildman, as well as several property owners along the route, were present to discuss the request.

The current LRIP provides up to $1.5 million in local road improvement project funding to counties, cities and townships for eligible projects to be completed in 2024, 2025 or 2026.  Leven Township would like to shape the existing road surface and place an asphalt pavement surface on top with aggregate shoulders. 

“We drove the project segment and measured the existing road surface width. In my professional opinion, the limited improvement work they are proposing is not possible while meeting the minimum design standards associated with the program funding. I also do not believe the desired project is the appropriate long-term improvement. Finally, I have safety concerns regarding the proposed scope of work, particularly at the existing railroad crossing, but also throughout the segment associated with increased traffic speeds on uncalculated vertical curves and conflicts with large agricultural equipment,” stated Giese in his report.

“If Leven Township wants to proceed with a LRIP grant application and work with a consultant engineer to develop a plan that complies with the program requirements, whether that ends up including additional construction work or not, I believe the county should be willing to sponsor the project provided: 1) Leven Township secures resolutions of support from Glenwood Township and the City of Glenwood since approximately 0.9 mile of the project is within their jurisdiction; 2) Leven Township agrees to use a consultant engineering company to design an appropriate set of construction plans that complies with the rules and regulations associated with the LRIP; 3) Leven Township (along with Glenwood Township and the City of Glenwood understands and agrees to the required state bonding agreement that outlines their responsibility with the project; and 4) Each entity agrees to enter into a joint powers agreement that outlines the responsibilities of each entity as it pertains to the development and construction of the proposed improvement project,” added Giese.

By sponsoring the project the county would be the fiscal agent on behalf of the townships and city, request a state aid project number for the project, ensure it meets milestones and dates, assist the townships and city with the execution of the agreement, review and construction plans and proposals developed by the consulting engineer, advertise, let and award the project, ensure it is properly inspected and records are provided by the consulting engineer, submit payment requests to MnDOT and assist with project close out.

The township currently has to add gravel more often than most roads because of the heavy traffic going to and from the elevator. “We’re spending over $20,000 a year to maintain just this road,” Wildman stated. “We have verbal agreements with the townships and city, but understand we need to get resolutions in writing before the December 8th deadline of the application.”

“Our responsibility is to ensure compliance with the program and in either case the width of the road has to be 26 feet. There are areas where this width can’t be met and so some reconstruction needs to be done, so the project can’t be limited to just putting pavement down on the current surface,” said Giese.

Giese estimated the project would cost $2 million “at a bare minimum” and the grant provides up to $1.5 million. “I’m in support of the agreement, but I’m not convinced that the standards can be met,” he added.

The board unanimously supported the request with the stipulations that resolutions be obtained from the city of Glenwood and the other townships that are affected, that the project is selected for funding, that the appropriate entities execute the required bond agreement, and each entity enters into a joint powers agreement with Pope County regarding the responsibilities associated with the costs of the project that are not covered by the LRIP. 

Following a review of the financial reports and updates from the commissioners and staff, the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting will take place on December 5 in the third floor meeting room of the courthouse.