County addresses tree removal on CSAH 17
News | Published on June 27, 2022 at 12:56pm CDT
By Melanie Stegner
After last week’s public hearing regarding the removal of trees and shrubs for the future construction of CSAH 17, the Pope County board of commissioners discussed the passing of resolution 202228. The resolution covers the removal of the roughly 70 trees from the landowners that received a notification, however, the intent of the county is to preserve as many of those as possible. The current plan would require the removal of roughly 30 trees, it was stated.
The resolution was made dependent on the approval of the variance request by MmDOT, which was approved by the MnDOT Variance Committee on Thursday, June 23. It was discussed how the wording in the resolution states a 33-foot corridor, which is within the area that residents were given notifications of the removal of trees and shrubs.
“The plan hasn’t changed. We will keep trees to a minimum, but with the slight amount of flexibility we can have and not knowing the exact location of the right of way, this ensures that the county has their bases covered,” said Brian Giese. The resolution was put to a vote and passed 4-1 with Nan Haggerty opposing.
Grants were approved to aid in the control and removal of aquatic invasive species. The Amelia-Villard-Leven Lakes Association requested $1,025 to cover the cost of software and data service for the CD3 watercraft cleaning station on Lake Amelia. The association plans to cover the remaining annual operating costs at an estimate of $1,728.
The Minnewaska Lake Association requested two grants to aid in the battle against AIS. The MLA first applied for a grant of $4,000 to aid in Eurasian watermilfoil control. The association’s plan calls for a survey and chemical treatment of 20 acres with a total cost of $11,960.
The second request from the MLA was to cover expenses related to a project survey for a portion of Lake Minnewaska to detect starry stonewort. There have been continued efforts to control the AIS and a pre-treatment survey in 2020 revealed that a small population had escaped the marina and was close to the main lake basin. The grant request is for $1,710 to cover the resurveying of the area.
The board accepted and discussed the resignation of Dr. James J. Joyce as County Coroner. His resignation will be effective August 15, 2022. The vacancy required authorization to publish a solicitation for candidates to fill the position.
The Sauk River Watershed Board Pope County Manager position was another topic of discussion. Donavon McKigney, the current manager, applied for reappointment to the position. Todd Malecha also applied to the position. After discussion, the board approved the appointment of McKigney to the position for the three-year term.
Tax forfeited property in Villard was approved for sale to the city as an interested party would like to develop the property. The purchaser would remove the blight and construct affordable housing in its place.
