RuskCounty
Highway Committee August 20, 2007
Meeting called to order by Highway Chair A. Dixon at 8:30 a.m. on August 20, 2007.
Present: A. Dixon, G. Golat, G. DuSell, R. Svoma.
Absent: J. Hofacker.
Others Present: E. Wundrow, N. Mertes, L. Gotham of Morgan & Parmley, J. Stencil - Town of Big Bend Chair, James Powers - Town of Big Bend Supervisor, P. Snyder Village of Sheldon, J. Lorence Town of Marshall, T. Hauser Village of Tony.
APPROVE AGENDA
A Golat/DuSell motion to approve today’s agenda. Motion Passed.
APPROVE MINUTES – July 16, 2007, July 30, 2007, July 31, 2007, and August 6, 2007.
A Golat/DuSell motion to approve the above minutes. Motion Passed.
APPEARANCE BY JOHN STENCIL – HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATIVE FEES.
J. Stencil appeared before the Committee today to explain that The Town of Big Bendhad received a billing invoice from the Highway Department which showed a charge to the Town of Big Bend for a Bridge Inspection. After speaking to MSA Engineering Firm, the engineering firm that assisted the Highway Commissioner on the ACT 167 analysis, he was told by MSA that the Town of Big Bend bridge had never been physically inspected by this Engineer firm. J. Stencil further explained that prior to the inspection he had received a phone call from E. Wundrow asking him if the Town of Big Bend would like bridge inspections done by MSA on the Townships two bridges in regards to the newly implemented ACT 167 standards which would allow an increase up to 98,000 pounds on roads and bridges. J. Stencil accepted E. Wundrows offer. J. Stencil feels that he is being billed for something that never occurred, that the township did not receive a bridge inspection. E. Wundrow explained that the Town of Big Bend bridges had been inspected in 2006 and the numbers had been submitted to the D.O.T. and were on file. MSA requested those bridge inspection results for the Town of Big Bend from the D.O.T. and then had E. Wundrow go out to the Town of Big Bend bridges and physically measure and calculate over burden issues (of the two Town of Big Bend bridges only the Dzimella Road bridge had an over burden issue) and submit that information to the Engineer Firm. The final result was a structural analysis. N. Mertes explained the billing invoice should have said “bridge structural analysis” and not “bridge inspection” and apologized for the mis-communication. The Highway Commissioner summarized the structural analysis process by explaining that for a minimal fee to the Town of Big Bend the township was able to post the DzimellaRoadBridge at a 10 ton capacity helping to ensure a longer life to the bridge and surrounding road. That MSA was able to pull the inspection numbers from D.O.T and not have to physically inspect the bridge and then have the Highway Commissioner take care of physically measuring the overburden, MSA was able to keep costs to a minimum.
It was the consensus of the Committee that the above service was actually a structural analysis and not a bridge inspection.
CLOSING OF CTH “M” – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE MOTION.
The Highway Commissioner explained that the State is currently waiting for the Highway Department to prepare a temporary re-route plan around the closed portion of CTH “M” in the Village of Hawkins.
E. Wundrow explained that he has two routes in mind for the temporary re-route: Little Jump Road to Homestead Roadand Old 14 to Hanson Road. The Highway Committee still needs to meet with the Town of Richland and the Town of Hawkins for their approval.
Closing of CTH “M” Progess:
Meeting with Village of Hawkins – Minutes from Village Board granting permission for CTH “M”closing.
Public Hearing – To be held on August 20, 2007 at 5:00 p.m.
Meeting with Town of Hawkins – August 23, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.
Meeting with Town of Richland – August 23, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.
Submittal to D.O.T. – PendingTownship meeting.
A. Dixon wants E. Wundrow placed on theAugustCounty Board agenda to update the Board on the closing of CTH “M”.
APPEARANCE BY LARRY GOTHAM FROM MORGAN & PARMLEY
Update on Ringer CTH “D” easement purchase. L. Gotham explained there are three judgments against the right of way that the County would like to purchase from Mr. Ringer. The judgments will need to be resolved before the County can purchase the right of way. There is a form that needs to be signed by Mr. Ringerin order for Mr. Ringer’s personal information to be released so the County can begin the process of satisfying the judgments using the agreed fee the County will be paying Mr. Ringer. Mr. Ringer has informed the Engineers that the judgments have been satisfied and his lawyer will be getting the paperwork to the County. N. Mertes explained they will not move forward until they have a clear title.
A. Dixon asked if the County could proceed with the CTH “D” construction without purchasing the Ringer right of way. L. Gotham and the Highway Commissioner explained that at this point that would not be an option for the County; the County needs to adhere to a 3R standards plus the Ringer contract has been signed already which binds the County to the purchase of the Ringer right of way once the title is clear.
Status of CTH“D”Bridge – East abutment is poured; west abutment will be poured August 20, 2007. The deck will be poured August 29, 2007. L. Gotham thinks the bridge will be completed by September 17, 2007. L. Gotham called HolcombeSchool District to coordinate the school bus routes since the bridge will be closed a few weeks longer then had been anticipated.
Status of OakGroveBridge – County shared portion of 15%. N. Mertes and L. Gotham reviewed the current project overview from the D.O.T. and it was determined that the State had come up with more funding for this bridge and the usual Local 10/10 will stay in place.
HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER REPORT.
Highway Operations – Construction Foreman S. Gudis and his crew have moved to BucksLake to begin that project. The Highway Commissioner is anticipating the project will be completed in two months.
CTH “B” project is completed.
CTH “G” Project – blacktop will be completed by the end of August, 2007.
Chip Sealing – A total of 7 miles of chip-sealing has been completed; three miles on CTH “O”, three miles on CTH “B”, and one mile on CTH “P” west of CTH “G”. The Highway Commissioner is very pleased with the results of the Chip-Sealing.
Shop Operations: The Highway Commissioner discussed details of Highway Department tractor rentals from Aring.
The Highway Commissioner explained that the Highway Gallion Roller #410 was on the Highway Equipment list to sell. Last week the mechanics had tried to pull the Roller out of the shop but found that the Roller would not move. The mechanics explained to the Commissioner that something was wrong with the transmission and it would cost quite a bit to repair. The Commissioner would like to dispose of this piece of equipment and not place any further money into it.
A Golat/Dixon motion to authorize the Commissioner to dispose of the Roller and try to get what he can for the Roller. Motion Passed.
STATUS OF “NIGHT MECHANIC” POSITION.
The Night Mechanic position is now vacant and the Highway Commissioner would like to post for the position within the highway bargaining unit and if there are no applicants from the union he would like to place an ad in the paper for the position.
A DuSell/Svoma motion to approve posting for the Night Mechanic position within the highway bargaining unit and should there not be any applicants to allow the Highway Commissioner to hire the position out. Motion Passed.
COUNTY ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY REQUEST FROM AUD-MAR DEER CAMPFOR CTH “O”.
A request was received from Aud-Mar Deer Camp from Edgar, Wisconsin to adopt a portion of CTH “O” for litter clean-up along CTH “O” right of way.
A Golat/Svoma motion to approve the Adopt-A-Highway request for a portion of CTH “O” from the BlueHillsCemetery to the Blue Hills Fire Lane Entrance for Aud-Mar Deer Camp. Aud-Mar shall adhere to the Rusk CountyAdopt-A-Highway Terms and Conditions. Motion Passed.
REQUEST TO AMEND COUNTYORDINANCE FOR ATV TRAVEL IN ORDER TO INCLUDE FOR ATV TRAVEL IN THE VILLAGE OF TONY A PORTION OF CTH “I”.
The Village of Tony submitted a request to open a portion of CTH “I” in the Village of Tony for ATV travel; CTH “I” north from North Avenue to Deertail Road and CTH “I” due south from Highway 8 to Old 14.
A Golat/DuSell motion to approve the request from theVillage of Tony and to send the amended ATV Ordinance to CountyBoard for approval. Motion Passed.
CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCED BY HIGHWAY CHAIR.
Retirements, Workers Compensation Claims, Terminations, Highway Grievances. Considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility. WI Stats 19.85 (1) (c)
Considering financial, medical, social or personal histories or disciplinary data of specific persons, preliminary consideration of specific personnel problems or the investigation of charges against specific persons except where par. (b) applies which, if discussed in public, would be likely to have a substantial adverse effect upon the reputation of any person referred to in such histories or data, or involved in such problems or investigations. WI Stats (1) (f)
A DuSell/Golat motion to go into closed session. Roll Call Vote: H. Golat – Yes, A. Dixon – Yes, R. Svoma – Yes, G. DuSell – Yes. Motion Passed.
OPEN SESSION
A Golat/DuSell motion to go back to open session. Motion Passed.
POSSIBLE MOTION ON TOPICS OF CLOSED SESSION.
None
2008 BUDGET – REVIEW AND MOTION TO APPROVE.
N. Mertes and E. Wundrow reviewed the 2008 budget with the Committee.
A DuSell/Golat motion to approve preliminary 2008 budget. Motion Passed.
A DuSell/Svoma motion to approve the County Culvert Aid as presented in the 2008 Budget; Town of Hubbard - $19472.84, Town of Stubbs – $12,802.02, Town of Thornapple - $40,000.00, Town of Dewey - $120,724.28, Town of Grow - $12801.00. Motion Passed.
HIGHWAY FINANCIAL REPORT.
N. Mertes presented the Highway Financial Report.
A Golat/Svoma motion to approve the Highway Financial Report. Motion Passed.
HIGHWAY OFFICE REPORT.
N. Mertes presented the Highway Office Report.
A Golat/Svoma motion to approve the Office Report. Motion Passed.
HIGHWAY OFFICE BATHROOM – REQUEST TO REPAIR AND UPDATE FIXTURES.
N. Mertes presented price estimates to upgrade the Highway Office bathroom.
Tony Lumber - $448.44
Lamperts - $379.74
Barry’s Builders - $332.85
A Svoma/DuSell motion to approve upgrade of the Highway Office bathroom using Barry’s Builders for $379.44. Motion Passed.
ACTION ON MONTHLY VOUCHER’S.
No Monthly Vouchers submitted.
SIGN PRE-APPROVED VOUCHER’S.
Pre-approved vouchers for a total of $687,709.73 were submitted for signatures.
A DuSell/Svoma motion to approve the pre-approved vouchers. Motion Passed.
SET DATE FOR NEXT HIGHWAY COMMITTEE MEETING.
Next Highway Committee meeting is set for September 17, 2007 at 8:30 a.m. at the Rusk County Highway Department.
MOTION TO ADJOURN.
A Golat/DuSell motion to adjourn. Meeting adjourned 12:30 p.m.
Minutes prepared by N. Mertes
Distributed on August 21, 2007
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