The Sherburne County Board Tuesday approved a joint powers agreement with the City of Big Lake and Big Lake Twp. for cost-sharing on Co. Rd. 43 major improvements.
The project, which has an estimated cost of $4,560,000, includes: Reconstruction of Co. Rd. 43 from Hwy. 10 to the Elk River bridge; installation of water and sewer main within the Co. Rd. 43 right-of-way from north of Hwy. 10 to Glenwood Ave; installation of roundabout improvements (including associated trail improvements) at the intersection of Co. Rd. 43 and Glenwood Ave./205th Street; construction of trail improvements along Co. Rd. at the intersection with Glenwood Ave./205th Street within the City of Big Lake and Big Lake Twp; construction of trail improvements along Co. Rd. 43 from Hwy. 10 to approximately 700’ south of the Elk River Bridge within the City of Big Lake; construction of sidewalk along Co. Rd. 43 from north of Minnesota Ave. to 203rd Ave. within Big Lake Township; construction of storm sewer improvements to Co. Rd. 43 from Hwy. 10 to the Elk River bridge and modifications to the signal system at the intersection of Hwy. 10 and Co. Rd. 43.
The county will apply all of the federal funds it receives (estimated at approximately $2,096,000) plus an additional $1,419,000 to cover its share. The city’s total cost share is estimated at $1,138,105. The Township’s total cost share is estimated at $150,775.
Farm Friends
The board approved amendments to the Farm Friends lease.
The Farm Friends have been leasing a five-acre property in Becker from the county since 2019.
The amended agreement will include the following improvements: A feed bin will be placed there that was donated by a previous Hennepin County dairy farmer. The outhouse (donated by Bill and Margaret Cox family) will be set in its permanent location there. A granary located on the former Howard Weise property in Palmer Township will be located there. A wire corn crib donated by Kampa Farms LLP will be on the site. The 28’ diameter grain bin will be moved to a different location. It will now be a 25’ diameter grain bin that has been donated by the CJ Gray Family, LLC. The pavilion that was previously approved has now found its permanent location along with additional parking.
Septic Grant
The board accepted a one-time grant award of $155,000 from the MPCA to provide funding for low income residential septic system replacement. The funding source can be utilized with the existing low-income septic grant program to provide a maximum funding amount up to $11,000. The grant term ends in June, 2025.
Tobacco Licenses
The board approved 2023-2024 tobacco license applications for the following 11 establishments: Frontier Liquor, Holiday Stationstores #239, Z Market, P&A Liquor, Speedway #4535, Uptown Off-Sale, Casey’s General Store #3445, Dollar General Store #19543, Zimmerman Tobacco, Sand Dunes Food and Fuel LLC, Sand Dune Spirits.
The county has also received incomplete applications from four establishments: Ridgeway Bay Resort (Baldwin Twp.), Holiday Stationstore #598 (Becker Twp.), Briggs Lake General Store (Palmer Twp.) and Santiago Country Store (Santiago Twp.)
MDH Grant
The board accepted the TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) grant from the Minnesota Dept. of Health in the amount of $249,372. The grants covers duties related to family home visiting for families at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines and who are at risk, including but not limited to child abuse, child neglect or juvenile delinquency.
Construction Bids
The board awarded the contract to reconstruct 97th Street from Hwy. 10 to Co. Rd. 23 to Knife River Corporation-North Central at a bid of $2,828,480.74. Other bids were: OMG Midwest Inc. dba Minnesota Paving & Materials at $2,891,082.07, Duininck Inc. at $2,935,870.02 and Meyer Contracting Inc. at $3,627,126.53. The engineer’s estimate was $3,514,874.70. The contract award is contingent on approval from Becker Twp. and Clear Lake Twp. Construction dates will be contracted from July 5 through Oct.15, 2023.
The board awarded the contract for edgeline striping on various county roads in 2023 to Century Fence Company LLC at a bid of $347,057.50. Other bids were: Sir Lines-A-Lot at $361,235 and Warning Lites of Minnesota at $411,975. The engineer’s estimate for the project was $429,562.50. Project construction dates will be contracted July 10 through Aug. 25.
The board awarded the contract for roof replacement at the Government Center to McDowall Roofing at a sum of not to exceed $90,000 and to Cities Masonry Restoration for masonry repair at a sum not to exceed $76,000.
Other Business
In other actions the Board:
• Approved participation in the National Center for Public Lands Counties at a cost of $1,000;
• Approved the Westlaw (access to legal research platform) contract for three years at a cost of $1672.5 per month with a 3% increase per year and a start date of September 2023;
• Set a public hearing for July 18 on the issuance of an On-Sale w/Sunday Liquor License Application for Getaway Bar (formerly know as KJ’s Refuge Bar & Grill).
