The Sherburne County Board Tuesday approved an agreement with Alive! Lutheran Church for turn lane improvements at the future church site on Co. Rd. 11 in Big Lake Twp.
The church purchased property on the south side of Co. Rd. 11 just west of Hwy. 25 with plans to build a new church.
After first denying a request for the conditional use permit, the county board approved the CUP last May, with one of the stipulations being the construction of turn lanes.
“We determined from a safety standpoint that the addition of turn lanes would really be necessary,” Assistant County Engineer David Roedel told the commissioners Tuesday.
The county felt there were safety issues with traffic backing up to Hwy. 25 when a vehicle attempted to make a left turn into the property. There were also concerns about congestion with Bridgeview Assembly of God Church located almost directly across the street.
The county would not agree to issue a building permit until those issues were addressed.
Alive! agreed to reimburse the county up to $30,000 for the construction of turn lanes - an amount county engineers felt was adequate to cover the cost.
Tuesday, Roedel said now the cost would more likely be a bit over $40,000.
“My predecessors determined that was a fair value at the time,” he said. “We do our best with engineer’s estimates.”
Roedel said, ideally, the agreement would have stated “actual cost” so there would be no cost to county taxpayers. He said that will likely be the procedure in the future.
Rain Garden
The board approved an agreement with Shane and Sarah Berg for the construction of a rain garden in the road right of way on Co. Rd. 15 near Lake Ann.
Roedel said the Bergs were experiencing drainage issues where water drains form east to west across Co. Rd. 15.
“They have a very large home there,” said Roedel. “Essentially, the water is migrating directly into their property. They’re asking for a way to capture it in the ditch and to discharge it slowly through possible infiltration.”
Roedel said under the agreement the county has the authority to request the rain garden be removed if there is a problem.
Soil Testing
The board also approved a service agreement for $32,426 with Braun Intertec for soil testing on Co. Rd. 16 from Co. Rd. 11 to Co. Rd. 93; Co. Rd. 38 from Hwy. 169 to the east county line; Co. Rd. 81 from Lake Ridge Drive to Co. Rd. 73 (settlement areas) and Co. Rd. 93 from Co. Rd. 16 to Co. Rd. 4.
The agreement also covers roadway analysis on sections of Co. Rds. 2, 35, 39, 42 and 73.
The other quote was by American Engineering Testing for $42,900.
Roedel said soil testing is an important part of the design process.
Commissioner Schmiesing agreed.
“It’s a good idea to know what kind of soils were putting our roads on top of. We can see when there’s a mistake made, it becomes obvious in a hurry,” he said. “I think it’s money well spent.”
Other Business
In other action the board:
• Appointed Scott Ruiter, member at large; Michael Niziolek, member at large alternate and Vicky MacGlover, member at large alternate to the Sherburne County Water Plan Advisory Committee for three year terms;
• Approved 2018 funding in the amount of $26,325 for bus operation support for public transportation provided by Tri-County Action Program, Inc. in Sherburne County;
• Approved a resolution of support in Palmer Wireless’s application to the State Border-to-Border Broadband Development Program to bring additional fiber to areas in Clear Lake and Becker townships;
• Approved a temporary liquor license for Clear Lake Lions for Palmer Days to be held Sept .9 pending approval of background check and approval from the State
• Approved the final contract payment of $431 to Jaak, Inc. for the installation LED Stop signs on Co. Rd. 1 at Co. Rd. 4 and on Co. Rd. 16 at Co. Rd. 11. The total contract was $8,620;
• Approved a request for MnDOT to complete a speed zone study for Co. Rd. 5 from Glenwood Ave. to Co. Rd. 75. Total length of the request is 2.5 miles;
• Accepted a $15,000 grant from the Minnesota Dept. of Veterans Affairs, to assist in county outreach efforts to county veterans;
• Proclaimed August as Breastfeeding Awareness Month in Sherburne County.
