County spraying and road work to begin soon – bids awarded

He recommended B & P Weed Control of Bemidji based on price for the roadside in-slope portion of the work. The second motion was for the outside right-of-way work at a price of $105 per hour which was negotiated directly with the contractor, Roy Abraham, Noxious Weed Control.

Commissioner John Nelson asked Mr. Hecht to explain the different contracts and their purpose. Hecht said that B & P could only reach 15-30' with their equipment, while Roy Abraham is able to reach further for some of the wider roads, thus the need for two separate contracts.

B & P Weed Control will charge $10,312 for their portion of the project, and Noxious Weed Control's portion is not to exceed a total amount of $15,000. Both motions passed. 

County Engineer, Dan Sauve` was on hand for contractors' bid openings for upcoming work to be done in the county. Bids to be awarded at the April 21 meeting are for milling and painting of rumble stripes; pavement markings; regravel; and rubberized crackseal.

Sauve` said the painting of rumble stripes is a Federal Highway Safety Improvement Project.

For the pavement markings project, he said 6,144 gallons of paint will be used for the edge and center lines.

UPDATE: AAA Striping Service Co. from St. Michael, Minn. was awarded the rumble stripes painting contract for their bid of $379,474, and also the pavement markings contract for their bid of $74,491. Vogt Dirt Service of Walker, Minn. was awarded the regravel contract for their bid of $287,542. Northwest Asphalt Maintenance of Thief River Falls  was awarded the crackseal contract for their bid of $179,400. These are all the lowest bidders on the projects.

Payment of the Highway Department bills was approved as presented in the amount of $19,604.

Kathy Rasch from Soil and Water Conservation District brought the Clearwater SWCD 2014 Financial Statement for the Board members information. She noted they ended 2014 with a slight balance in their budget. Their statement has been approved by the State.

She said the SWCD prepared the statement, and Commissioner Neal Illies said it was very nice.

Ms. Rasch informed the Commissioners of upcoming law enforcement, volunteer and inspectors training regarding Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS).

She said tree sales have gone very well, and they are sold out of all but red and white pines and spruce trees.

County Auditor-Treasurer Allen Paulson received authorization to pay the submitted invoices of $155,672 from the County Revenue Fund and $54,821 from Nursing Service. 

Emergency Management: The Commissioners discussed the needs of EM and hours required to accomplish it. Commissioner Nelson said funds have not been efficiently used in the past with not spending all grant money. He said Department Heads should come to the Board for deciding on the proposed department plans, not the other way around.

There was discussion on whether of not to accept another grant if they would be in compliance with federal requirements.

Hart Lake: Commissioner Arlen Syverson asked, “How did we end up losing access to Hart Lake?” He said their is no public record. It was stated that the 58.8 acres involved belonged to the State prior to the tribe leasing it in 1995.

Meetings: April 24, 10 a. m. in the Board Room – Prime West Insurance Committee will meet with Clearwater County Commissioners. This meeting is open to the public.

May 27-28: MCIT Human Resources informational meeting in St. Paul. Commissioner Nelson felt more important that some department heads attend than Commissioners.

Commissioners present at the meeting were Daniel Stenseng, Dean Newland, John Nelson, Neal Illies and Arlen Syverson.