Sherburne County has been awarded almost $2.5 million in grants for road construction projects.
A total of $4.42 million in federal Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) funding was made available to Central Minnesota for the fiscal years 2025-2026. At last week’s commissioner meeting, Administrator Bruce Messelt announced that the county has applied for and been awarded three separate CRP grants from the Minnesota Dept. of Transportation (MnDOT).
The first is an $880,000 grant for the construction of a bicycle-pedestrian trail on the southeast side of Hwy. 25 from Big Lake to Monticello
Next is a $632,000 grant to construct a roundabout at the intersection of Co. Rd. 4 and Co. Rd. 11.
The third is another $632,000 for the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Co. Rd. 4 and Co. Rd. 46.
A letter from MnDOT says since federal funding has been capped, the county will still be responsible for any matching funds or additional costs to complete any or all of the projects.
“It was exciting to see those approved,” said Messelt. “It really speaks well for the county and program we are involved in.”
SWCD Lease
The board approved a two-year lease extension with the Sherburne County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) for leased space at the Jackson Street facility, effective Jan. 1, 2025, through December 31, 2026. Under the agreement, SWCD will pay the county $29,335 per year.
Gravel Mine
The board approved an agreement with WSB as the county’s consultant for the environmental scoping effort for the Haven Gravel Mine project. Holcim-MRW, Inc. is proposing a 600+ acre gravel mine in Haven Twp.
Holcim is required to reimburse the county for the county’s reasonable costs in preparing, reviewing, and distributing the scoping documents and Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW)/Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The proposal from WSB has a cost of $54,422.
Legal Agreement
The board approved an agreement with the firm of Kennedy and Graven to assist with legal proceedings required to complete the Hwy. 169/Co. Rd. 4 Interchange Project. The present agreement is capped at the allowable total of $50,000. All costs will be covered by the state and federal funding for the project that the county has already secured.
Project Bids
The board awarded the contract for the reconstruction of Co. Rd. 65 from Co. Rd. 8 to Hwy. 10 to Knife River-North Central at $2,097,785.66. Other bidders were: OMG Midwest Inc. ($2,669,337.20) and J.R. Ferche, Inc. ($3,087,585.12).
They awarded the contract for the pavement resurfacing of Co. Rd 1 from Co. Rd 32 to Co. Rd. 4 and the surface maintenance of the Co. Rd. 15 bridge over the St. Francis River to North Valley, Inc. at $3,163,340.95. Other bidders were Knife River ($3,232,925.52), Park Construction Company ($3,275,157.56), Duininck, Inc. ($3,333,940.55),
OMG Midwest Inc. dba Minnesota Paving & Materials ($3,470,455.54) and GMH Asphalt Corp. ($3,937,084.75).
Zoning
In zoning actions the board:
• Approved the Residential Preliminary and Final Simple Plat of “BKEN Big Lake,” consisting of one lot on 9.08 acres at Co. Rd. 11 and Hwy. 25 in Big Lake Twp.;
• Approved the Residential Preliminary and Final Simple Plat of “Regal Oaks,” consisting of one lot on 40 acres on 211th Ave. in Big Lake Twp.;
• Approved a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for a Personal Storage Structure on .99 acres in the Briggs Lake Shoreland Overlay District in Palmer Twp.;
• Approved the revocation of an existing conditional use permit (Home Business in Accessory Building - Small Engine Sales and Service/Repair Shop) in Livonia Twp. at the request of the property owner, Shawn Stommes.
CVSO
The board appointed Larry Fonder as Sherburne County Veterans Service Officer, effective August 20. Fonder takes over the position from Bruce Price, who retired in late May after serving the county for 10 years.
Other Business
In other actions the board:
• Passed a resolution to re-establish the Absentee Ballot Board and Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) Ballot Board for the 2024 Election Year;
• Approved the appointment of Assistant County Attorney Ben Sime and Elizabeth Ziebarth;
• Approved liquor license renewals for Fairway Shores Golf Course, Getaway Bar LLC, Briggs Lake Liquor, Sand Dunes Sprits, Bailey Ray’s Roadhouse, Palmer House and Ridgeway Bay Resort;
• Approved a 2024-2025 tobacco license application for P&A Liquor in Zimmerman;
• Approved a temporary On-Sale Liquor License for the Clear Lake Lions Club for Palmer Day, to be held at Palmer Twp. Park Sept. 7, 2024.
