By Kris Goracke

Reporter

The Pope County Board of Commissioners held its regular meeting on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, addressing an agenda that included key appointments, grant approvals, infrastructure contracts, and property tax adjustments. 

In response to staff changes, the Board approved revised appointments to the Central Minnesota Emergency Services Board (CMESB). These appointments, effective immediately, ensure Pope County continues its active role in regional emergency response coordination:

•Sheriff Nathan Brecht was appointed to delegate to the Regional Advisory, User, Next Generation 911, Owners and Operators, and Logger Committees.

•Chief Deputy Eric Thesing will serve as an alternate for all five committees.

•Emergency Manager Christina Lindquist was appointed as a delegate to the Emergency Management Advisory Committee, with Sheriff Brecht as an alternate.

•IT Director Bryan Gates will serve as the alternate for the Logger Committee.

The Board approved an amendment to the Remote Electronic Alcohol Monitoring (REAM) Grant, presented by Probation Director Terry Jaworski. The amendment extends the program through FY2026 and FY2027, increasing the total funding to $10,000. “The grant helps people who can’t afford to pay for jail release after being charged with DWI. Instead of staying in jail, they are monitored while they wait for their court date,” said Jaworski.  “It helps people get back to the lives, families and jobs.”

Four Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Prevention Aid Fund requests were reviewed and approved following recommendations from Ralph Hanson, Land Use Specialist:

•$1,200 to the Amelia-Villard-Leven Lakes Association for software maintenance on the Lake Amelia CD3 watercraft cleaning station.

•$5,481.90 to the Minnewaska Lake Association (MLA) for treating starry stonewort in Lake Minnewaska, with the association covering 30% of the total cost of $7,831.29.

•$21,015.40 to MLA for Eurasian watermilfoil treatment, part of a $30,022 project utilizing a more effective and low-toxicity chemical.

All requests align with the county’s AIS Action Plan. Pope County will receive $85,053 in AIS Prevention Aid in 2025 and currently holds $387,576 in its AIS fund.

Engineer’s report

In his report to the Board, County Engineer Brian Giese shared updates on highway department operations. “Our maintenance crews are shifting from winter to summer operations,” Giese explained, “and we’re currently repairing a damaged motor grader that’s scheduled to be sold to Holmes City Township.”

He continued, “We’ve received some very competitive bids that came in under budget, so we’re now prioritizing additional local projects.” On the administrative side, Giese added, “We’re preparing for the dust control program and looking forward to welcoming our new Engineering Technician, Damon Guggenberger, who starts on April 21.

In addition, the Board awarded over $4.1 million in construction contracts for the 2025 season:

CSAH 8 Mill and Overlay 

A $1,548,789.70 contract was awarded to Joe Riley Construction of Morris, MN, for a mill and overlay project on County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 8, spanning from the south county line to CSAH 10. The project is funded through regular state aid construction funds and is included in the 2025 county budget.

CSAH 1 & CSAH 14 Mill and Overlay 

A combined contract of $1,377,604.60 was awarded to Central Specialties, Inc. of Alexandria for overlay projects on CSAH 1 (from just south of CSAH 14 to CSAH 18) and CSAH 14 (from CSAH 1 to TH 29), including curve removal work at the CSAH 1 intersection. These projects are also funded through state aid.

CSAH 28 and CSAH 30 Overlays 

Another contract, valued at $309,489.00, was awarded to Central Specialties for bituminous overlay projects on CSAH 28 (between CR 79 and TH 114) and CSAH 30 (adjacent to TH 29 near Lake Reno). With $525,000 budgeted in local funds, the project came in well under budget, allowing nearly $215,000 in savings to be redirected to other road improvements.

CSAH 28 Sealcoat 

Morris Sealcoat and Trucking submitted the low bid of $343,600.24 for a seal coat project on two segments of CSAH 28—from TH 55 in Lowry to TH 29 and from CSAH 57 in Villard to the north county line. Funded with local dollars, the budgeted amount of $520,000 leaves approximately $175,000 available for additional projects.

Countywide Pavement Markings 

KAMCO, Inc. of Dassel, MN, was awarded the annual pavement marking contract for $51,854.58. This project includes centerline striping on various county roads, with edge line markings to be handled separately through a district-wide HSIP project led by Becker County.

CSAH 3 Reconstruction & Cyrus Utility Project 

A combined bid totaling $811,969.95 was awarded to Joe Riley Construction for the CSAH 3 street reconstruction north of TH 28 to Cyrus city limits in coordination with City of Cyrus utility upgrades. The county portion is $333,061.50, funded by municipal state aid, and the city will reimburse Pope County for its portion.

CSAH 51 (Polar Street) in Starbuck 

Although not initially in the 2025 road plan, this project was added due to budget savings. A 1.5″ mill and overlay on CSAH 51 (Polar Street) between CSAH 52 and TH 28 in Starbuck is expected to cost around $30,000. Quotes were requested from area contractors with the low bid to be presented at the board meeting. Local funds will be used for this major maintenance upgrade.  This project is contingent on the approval of the Starbuck City Council.

Change Order Approved 

for CSAH 35 Work

The Board also approved Change Order #1 to the CSAH 8 contract, which adds a 1,275-foot section of new bituminous pavement on CSAH 35 (between the Riley Pit and TH 28). This additional work will cost $75,000 and be funded with local dollars. Although the work qualifies for state aid, the county funds it locally as part of broader maintenance planning.

“These awards represent a full slate of infrastructure improvements for Pope County in 2025,” said Giese. “We’re seeing favorable bid prices and have positioned ourselves to reinvest in additional road and culvert projects using the savings realized from competitive bidding.”

The Board also approved three tax abatements requested by Auditor/Treasurer Stephanie Rust for Ilene and Jeff Lehtola after a clerical error impacted their 2025 property tax statements:

•Parcel 17-0008-000: $230.00 abatement

•Parcel 17-0008-001: $1,320.00 abatement

•Parcel 17-0008-002: $140.00 abatement

The total adjustment of $1,690.00 was approved unanimously as a standard correction to ensure accurate tax assessments.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 15, at 9 a.m.