During the Clear Lake Twp. meeting Tuesday night, Twp. Engineer Terrance Vander Eyk informed the board they had received a letter from the county regarding a federal highway safety improvement road striping program. If the township is interested in participating, six-inch fog lines will be applied at a cost of $106 per mile, which is 10% of the cost.
The program only covers fog lines; if center lines are also desired the township will need to pay 100% of that cost at roughly $50 to $60 per mile.
A discussion was held on roads that could benefit from the striping, including 58th Ave. and 90th Street.
Supervisor Gary Gray requested Eyk put together a list of potential roads to present at the next meeting, stating if they were going to participate they would most likely do all the striping, not just the fog lines. The roads need to be submitted to the county by Nov. 21.
Road Report
Eyk informed the board he had a couple issues with the original agreement sent to the township from BNSF concerning a railroad crossing project. First, the language had the township requesting the improvement, which isn’t the case, and included an estimated $30,000 participation from the township.
Second, it suggested a timber replacement; the existing crossing is concrete.
He suggested they meet with a BNSF representative at the site to discuss and determine if the improvement is even needed. Gray requested he set up the meeting; one of the board members will attend.
A motion carried approving payment of $5,500 to Hardrives for patch work on 90th Ave. Gray explained the area had come to their attention during the road tour, and due to time constraints and the availability of the vender it had been approved outside of a meeting.
Eyk informed the board he had met with the Clear Lake City Council and they had approved the proposed sidewalk removal and replacement needed on the north side of township hall. The township’s portion of the cost will be $870; the city’s portion will be $2,030.
The work was scheduled to be completed last week, but due to weather conditions it was delayed. Eyk will keep the board posted.
Other Business
Gray informed the board the Imholtes had purchased the land next to the property on Co. Rd. 8 where NextEra Energy Resources is leasing land for a solar farm project and have an easement. The property has an existing well and irrigation system the company is allowing the Clear Lake Fire Dept. to use as a fill station.
A discussion was held on next steps, including getting another easement and legal description as well as drafting up an agreement with all parties.
“We’ll then go ahead with the construction,” said Gray. “I imagine with the time frame it won’t happen until spring however.”
Gray informed the board he would be meeting with the architect next week concerning changes to the town hall building plan.
Eyk and Gray agreed to renew their three-year terms as representatives on the Sherburne Co. Planning Advisory Board with Gray as the alternate.
The sheriff reported 88 calls for service for September, including 25 traffic, six accident, 12 medicals, one burglary with an arrest made and a couple boating and shooting complaints each.
The next Clear Lake Twp. meeting will be Nov. 20.
