By Melanie Stegner

Reporter 

Pope County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing on the 2024-2028 five-year road plan at last week’s meeting. Five factors go into planning according to County Engineer Brian Giese. They are age and condition, geometrics, traffic volumes, estimated costs and anticipated funding available, and staff capabilities.

Plans in 2024 include bituminous paving on CSAH 15, culvert replacement on CSAH 8, reconstruction on CSAH 17 and bituminous overlay on CSAH 18. In 2025, CSAH 3 is scheduled for reconstruction, bituminous mill and overlay on CSAH 8, 1 and 14.

A few community members showed up for public comments. David Peters from Peters’ Resort stated that the people that live at the resort don’t care for the widening project. “I don’t understand with pending litigation why the county would go ahead with the project as we’re in the appeals process which won’t be decided in the county at this point. Why not wait a year until it’s resolved and do it next year? I don’t see the harm in going another year,” he stated. 

“Our hope is that if you could look at a mill and fill on the same footprint it would work best for us at the resort and for those that have cottages along 17. If you milled three inches and put four inches of asphalt down. We’re just hoping for some good news,” added Bill Peters. 

Following the public hearing, the meeting was re-opened back into regular session and the commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the 5-year road plan as it is written.

After discussion at the personnel committee, it was requested that the vacant position for a human resources assistant position to be changed to an executive assistant as there are more duties than just human resources in the administration office and is assisting the commissioners. It was passed unanimously.

The Joint Powers Board for the Chippewa River Watershed Association approved a comprehensive watershed management plan that is now under review by the Board of Water and Soil Resources. 

After a review of the financial accounts and payment of bills, County Attorney Neil Nelson recognized the MN State Attorney General’s Office for their assistance in a recent jury trial. “There was a conviction on three counts: drug overdose, aiding and abetting and third-degree homicide. We were happy to have the Attorney General’s assistance,” said Nelson.

Auditor/Treasurer Stephanie Rust stated that filing for elections opened on Tuesday, May 21. The next meeting of the Pope County Board of Commissioners is on Tuesday, June 4 at 9 a.m.