Sherburne County will be looking at how it decides to use the eminent domain process for road projects.
Tuesday, the commissioners had a brief discussion with Public Works Director Andrew Witter about a potential safety issue on a current project.
The county is in the process of reconditioning Co. Rd. 8 between Hwy. 24 and Hwy. 10. That project is expected to be substantially completed this month, said Witter.
“With safety being one of our primary goals, we do take a look at opportunities to provide turn lanes and bypass lanes at strategic locations where they can be acquired without eminent domain or condemnation,” he said. “We were able to add turn lanes and bypass lanes at different areas.”
But he said the county wasn’t able to reach an agreement with a property owner for one intersection at 85th Ave. despite multiple attempts.
“It’s always been our past practice not to condemn property unless we are doing a full reconstruction project,” he said. “In this case we were able to add a right turn lane, but not a westbound bypass lane.”
Witter said they opted to move ahead with the project without adding the bypass lane.
Commissioner Felix Schmiesing, who initiated the discussion, said the county should move forward with the condemnation process, even though it’s too late to have a bypass lane as part of the current reconditioning project.
“We should step up and go through the process,” he said. “We seem to find benefit in doing it in places where it’s easy. Sometimes when it’s tough and there’s a safety issue, we need to step up.”
Schmiesing said the development to the south on the road at that intersection, White Farm Estates, is the largest development on Co. Rd. 8 between Hwy. 24 and Becker, and safety should dictate whether the county goes through the condemnation process.
County Attorney Kathleen Heaney reminded the board the eminent domain process is long and expensive, designed to ensure landowners have the opportunity to appeal the decision.
“I understand it will take time but we’ll never get done if we don’t get started,”said Schmiesing. “I respect the process, but the process is there for a reason.”
The board agreed to set up a workshop to discuss the eminent domain process for road projects.
Other Business
In other action the board:
* Approved a general office workspace one-year lease agreement with Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services for a lump sum of $1,440 for 2019;
* Appointed Mark Lefebvre to the Elk River Watershed Association for a one-year term starting in November, 2018;
* Approved a donation of $1,000 in gift cards from Big Lake Beyond the Yellow Ribbon to the veterans service office for Sherburne County veterans and their family members in emergency situations;
* Approved a Gambling Premises Permit renewal for the Santiago Lions Club at Bailey Ray's Roadhouse;
* Approved a tax abatement for Daniel and Nicole Kohout for 2017 assessment/taxes payable in 2018 in the sum of $2887.43 due to a fire that destroyed their house and garage in Elk River in November, 2017;
* Approved an agreement with TriCAP for the lease of space at the Jackson Street facility effective Jan. 1, 2019 through Dec. 31, 2020 at a cost of $34,161;
* Approved an agreement with Sherburne Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) for the lease of space at the Jackson Street facility effective Jan. 1, 2019 through Dec. 31, 2020 at a cost of $22,572;
* Approved the final contract payment for the 2017 Grams Park Phase 1 improvements to Veit & Company, Inc. in the amount of $38,370.21;
* Approved sending a letter of support for the CAMHI (CommUNITY Adult Mental Health Initiative) proposal for Mental Health bonding dollars to build crisis centers.
* Proclaimed November 2018 as Adoption Month in Sherburne County.
