RuskCounty
Highway Committee June 18, 2007
Highway Chair A. Dixon called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
Present: A. Dixon, G. Golat, G. DuSell, R. Svoma, J. Hofacker.
Also Present: E. Wundrow, N. Mertes, P. Montwill, Ken Kochever, Jack Noel, Phil Snyder, Larry Gotham from Morgan & Parmley.
APPROVE AGENDA.
A DuSell/Golat motion to approve today’s agenda and move any agenda items as needed. Motion Passed.
APPROVE MINUTES.
A Hofacker/Svoma motion to approve the Highway minutes of May 21, 2007. Motion Passed.
APPEARANCE BY MR. KOCHEVER TO DISCUSS CTH “D” PROJECT.
Ken Kochever asked the Committee where they were at on the CTH “D” project and what they were planning to do this year. The Highway Commissioner explained that currently a section of this project is being held up by easement issues such as the Ringer easement situation. As far as the rest of the CTH “D” project the Highway Department has graded the bad areas and the Highway Crews will be back down on CTH “D” by the Rangeline Road to continue construction just as soon as the CTH “G” project is wrapped up. The CTH “G” project is halfway done and since it is an STP project it takes priority over all other projects this year in order to secure the federal funding of approximately $600,000.00. The Highway Commissioner explained that the second layer of blacktop on CTH “D” will be completed this year and CTH “D” will not have seasonal posted road bans for 2008. The Highway Commissioner further explained that there are areas along the CTH “D” corridor that had not been planned for ditching in the original project plans and after the Committee reviewed the highway this Spring it was determined that in order to do the project correctly, diverting water properly from the highway, the ditching activity needed to be included in the project.
APPEARANCE BY LARRY GOTHAM REGARDING CTH “D” EASEMENTS, BUCKS LAKEPROJECT, CTH “M” RELOCATE PROJECT.
L. Gotham explained the following items to the Committee: Mr. Ringer had been prepared to sign the “Nominal Payment Parcel – Waiver of Appraisal” form for a payout to Mr. Ringer from the County for his 5.02 acres of property along CTH “D” however, at the last meeting Mr. Ringer changed his mind. There will be one more negotiation meeting with Mr. Ringer before the County proceeds to condemnation.
The BucksLake Project is ready for the County to start.
The two cost estimates from Morgan & Parmley regarding the CTH “M” relocate has been submitted to A. Albarado, RuskCounty Economic Developer. The costs are quite high for this relocate and L. Gotham is waiting to hear back from A. Albarado regarding the estimates.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT EQUIPMENT NEEDS – RENTAL TRACTORS, PATROL SUPERINTENDENT TRUCK, SKIDSTEER, WELDER FOR CRUSHER ROLLS.
The Highway Commissioner explained that last year the Highway Department had rented four tractors for the County/State mowing operations and he would like to do this again this year. Rental cost is approximately $5800.00 per tractor per month.
A Golat/Hofacker motion to approve renting four tractors for 2007. Motion Passed.
P. Montwill explained that his current truck has over 200,000 miles and he is starting to have transmission problems. He feels the truck will do fine for the rest of the season but by the Fall he will need a new truck.
Toycen Estimate - ¾ Ton Extended Cab 2007 Chevy – $40,822.00
Nieslen Estimate - ¾ Ton Extended Cab 2007 Ford - $28,700.00
A. Dixon requested this be placed on the Fall Highway agenda.
The Highway Commissioner explained that Dairyland Implement Co. is now the new GEHL Dealer for this area and that currently a new Skidsteer is $59,926.00. With a County discount cost of $38,608.00 and a $25,000.00 discount for a trade-in on the current Highway Skidsteer, total cost for a new Skidsteer to the Highway Department would be $13,608.00.
The Highway Commissioner explained that the current welding setup for the crusher rolls is worn out. He would like to upgrade the setupprocedure and would need a new welder to accomplish this. The upgrade of the setup of welding rolls will decrease crew down time. Cost for the new welder is $14,905.00.
A Hofacker/Svoma motion to purchase the new welder for $14,905.00. Motion Passed.
HIGHWAY SOFTWARE UPGRADES AND SUPPORT.
N. Mertes explained that the current Highway Accounting Software is now outdated and the company will no longer support the old version. The cost to upgrade to the new software with 1 year of support is approximately $900.00.
A Golat/DuSell motion to purchase the software upgrade and support for a total cost of $900.00. Motion Passed.
JIM MENG MINING CONTRACT.
Jim Meng returned the new mining contractsignedbut he amended item 2 of the contract to read as:
“Rusk County Highway Department will have exclusive mining rights at the Meng Pit in the permitted area for a period of two years from date of this agreement.” The original contract had been for “a period of three years”…
A Golat/Hofackermotion to approve the Jim Meng Mining Contract with the amendment from three years to two years. Motion Passed.
REQUEST FROM TOWN OF STUBBS FOR ATV TRAVEL ON A COUNTY HIGHWAY.
The Town of Stubbs submitted a request for the Highway Committee to authorize CTH “F” from Amacoy Lake Road to Norwegian Road to be open for ATV travel and included on the current County Ordinance to “Amend The Rusk County General Code To Create An All-Terrain Vehicle Ordinance And To Designate All-Terrain Vehicle Routes” for full County Board approval.
A Golat/DuSell motion to approve the designation of CTH “F” from Amacoy Lake Road to Norwegian Road be open to ATV travel and included in the current CountyOrdinance for ATV Travel for full CountyBoard approval. Motion Passed.
HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER REPORT.
The Highway Commissioner passed out the County Highway project detail report showing a total cost of $4,045,350.00 to construct, blacktop, chip seal, and rut pave 255.277 miles of County Highway within the next 10 years. The $4,045,350.00 dollars will be submitted for the Highway Capital improvement loan.
The Highway Commissioner further explained that ChippewaCounty will proceed with blacktopping in RuskCountiesTownship of Big Bend. The 2007 Summer Highway Conference was very informational and many issues were reviewed such as the up-coming changes to the STP programs. Also reviewed were maintenance activities that extend the life of the Highway.
HIGHWAY FINANCIAL REPORT.
N. Mertes reviewed the Highway financial receivables, payables, cash, and fund balances.
A Golat/Hofacker motion to approve the financial report. Motion Passed.
HIGHWAY OFFICE REPORT.
N. Mertes reviewed status of current Highway workers compensation claims, accident claims, retirements, and Union issues.
A DuSell/Svoma motion to approve the office report. Motion Passed.
ACTION ON MONTHLY VOUCHER’S.
None were submitted.
SIGN PRE-PAID VOUCHERS.
A DuSell/Golat motion to approve the pre-paid vouchers in the amount of $397,454.16. Motion Passed.
SET DATE FOR NEXT HIGHWAY COMMITTEE MEETING.
Next Regular Highway Committee meeting is set for July 16, 2007 at 8:30 a.m. at the Rusk County Highway Department.
MOTIN TO ADJOURN.
A Golat/Svoma motion to adjourn. Motion Passed.
Meeting adjourned at 11:45 a.m.
Minutes prepared by Highway Office Manager N. Mertes
Distributed on June 19, 2007
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