Commissioners approve 5 year road construction plan

On August 26, 2019 the Red Lake County Commissioners met with all members present (Chuck Simpson, Anthony Flage, John Dudycha, Al Remick and Chairman Ron Weiss).

The agenda was approved with no additions or changes. 

First on the agenda was Red Lake County Highway Engineer Eric Hove who had three items to present to the commissioners. Hove started with asking for approval to sell some equipment that is not used that included a pickup, salt spreader and a pup trailer. Remick made a motion to sell those items in a sealed bid, Dudycha seconded. 

The 2nd item Hove brought before the commissioners is the 5-year construction plan for the roads in Red Lake County. He went through each of the five years starting at 2020 to 2024. The map is available on their website: www.co.red-lake.mn.us, then click on Services, then go to property & Roads, and go to Highway Department. It is listed on the bottom of that page in full color. In 2020 the plan focuses on the Lousiville township area, 2021 the county roads going through Oklee will get an overlay and the sidewalks will be redone and a four-mile section on County Rd 6 going east of Oklee will be a overlay from CSAH to CSAH 10. In 2022 the areas around Plummer, Brooks, and Red Lake Falls are targeted. In 2023, CSAH from Hwy 32 to Hwy 59 will get overlay & pipe replacements, CSAH 11 from the Polk County line to Hwy 32 will get overlay & pipe replacements, and CSAH 33 from CSAH 11 to Hwy 34 is slated for paving also. The fifth year, 2024 will deal with Hwy 222 from Hwy 92 to 1st Ave. in Oklee. Also, during the first year, and possibly the rest of the years, various CSAH gravel roads will receive stabilization treatments. It has worked well for other counties and could be a great way to save money from replacing gravel yearly due to snow removal, etc., and grading less.

The commissioners had a few questions about funding and some of the construction methods, and a motion was made by Simpson and seconded by Dudycha, all in favor, carried.

The last item was a request for permission to purchase a piece of equipment that would be shared by the Environmental and Highway Department, GPS Survey equipment. With the changes in technology the prices have come down and are very easy to use. They would get one rover with a one-year warranty, along with lessons and a software package. Right now, the Environmental Services has hired out for survey work. There is money available from the Environmental Services funds that will be used. Also the RLC Soil & Water Conservation District feels it could be an asset. Remick made a motion to purchase the survey equipment requested using the buffer funds and Dudycha seconded, carried after a roll call vote.

Next up was Al Page on behalf of Mike LaCoursiere (not the attorney), from the Cities. He has been working on new signage at Huot Park to highlight the Ox Cart Trail, which goes through Huot Park (Old Treaty Crossing Park). In order for the signage to qualify for a grant the county must write the grant and 4 of 5 Park Board member are for getting the grant for the signage. The signage should be placed near the Ox Cart Trail opening, however, no decision was made. Possible cement slab and side walk may be included in the plan. A motion was made by Simpson, seconded by Flage to proceed with the grant. A grant writer will be contacted.

Al Bertilrud, Mayor of Red Lake Falls, came before the board with a request to give an abatement of $675.32 on the taxes the city owes. The Board had made their decision at the last meeting and no further discussion was needed.

Bertilrud also asked about a few properties in RLC that are up for tax forfeiture, and hopes they get back on the tax roles before they deteriorate. Auditor Bob Schmidt said they will go up for sale as usual and should be back on the roles barring no complications.

Bertilrud also mentioned the Census is very important, mentioning that Pennington County is stated to have less income per capita than Red Lake, because Red Lake numbers were not accurate. Board asked if the Herald had put anything in about the Census yet, and they hadn’t, but will get information out soon.

Also discussed was a couple of houses that have been built around the area by organizations such as Tri-Valley Opportunity Council and others. 

County Attorney Mike LaCoursiere was asked by the Pine To Prairie Drug Task Force to request a renewal of funding of $5,000 for 2020. Flage made a motion, Remick seconded, roll call was taken, motion carried.

Commissioner Reports 

Simpson and Dudycha attending the Red Lake County Fair meeting and were told of a couple of fundraisers. They are holding a Baja race on September 14th and a Spaghetti Dinner on September 13th. They are more organized than the past couple of years and making plans to make Senior Day better, a different Rodeo than Wojo that would be less money. They are also waiting for the State to pay them back for the winners 2018 & 2019. They are looking into food licenses also.

Dudycha and Weiss had attended a Tri County Advisory Committee meeting reporting there is a lot of staff turnovers and mental health is an issue to deal with.

Remick had a meeting with Law Enforcement for negotiations and a NW Mental Health meeting which touched on financials, grants and the need for mental health in the community. They have also lost staff to Riverview and Altru.

Weiss also attended the Law Enforcement negotiations meeting.

Minutes were approved as read and the bills were looked over and approve with a motion by Dudycha and seconded by Remick. 

Other business:

A rehab mortgage has been satisfied and was released with a motion by Flage and seconded by Remick. Carried.

 Discussion on the Border to Border Trail occurred with all members of the board feeling that is was not a good thing and would most likely cause tearing of up our roads and no funding to fix them if that happened. They made a motion to oppose the DNR plan for a Border to Border Trail through Red Lake County. The motion was made by Simpson and seconded by Flage. Carried.

The meeting was closed for Union Negotiations discussions at 12:04 p.m.

The next meeting will be September 10, 2019 at the Red Lake County Courthouse in Red Lake Falls at 10:00 a.m.