The Sherburne County Board last week awarded one of the county’s biggest contracts and starts the ball rolling on one of its largest road projects ever.
After an introduction by Director of Public Works Andrew Witter about the long process to get the project finally started, the board awarded the contract for the Hwy. 169 & Co. Rd. 4 Interchange Project to Ames Construction at $44,390,384.85.
“It’s with excitement that I’m in front of you this morning with the results of the bidding for the Zimmerman Interchange,” he said. “It’s come with a lot of effort over the last number of years - a lot of angst recently in regards to pulling together all of the funding agreements and navigating that as we moved along.”
The cost for the project is being covered by federal funding sources ($34,826,467.94), state funding sources ($8,706,616.91) and Local Sales Tax $857,300.
Witter said the county was able to take advantage of a very competitive bidding market. Four different firms bid on the project, and all four were well below the engineer’s estimate of $55,629,365.79. The three other bidders were C.S. McCrossan Construction Inc. ($45,651,013.31); Park Construction Company $46,951,671.76) and Meyer Contracting Inc. ($48,551,569.53).
Witter said the county is fortunate to award the contract to Ames Construction.
The company is currently working on the large interchange projects in Ramsey on Hwy. 10.
He said even with the number of delays with funding issues, he believes the county can still maintain the completion date of substantially completing the project by the end of 2026.
After the vote, Commissioner Brad Schumacher thanked a list of people who were instrumental in getting the project going, including former Commissioner Lisa Fobbe, Public Works and other county staff, former Zimmerman Mayor Nick Stay, Zimmerman Administrator Randy Piasecki and Congressman Emmer’s office.
Co. Rd. 29 Agreement
The board approved a joint powers agreement with City of Princeton for the Co. Rd. 29 Reconstruction Project.
Co. Rd. 29 will be reconstructed from Hwy. 169 to the north county line. A signal system is proposed to be installed at the intersection of Co. Rd. 29 and Co. Rd. 2/Northland Drive. The installation of the signal requires a joint powers agreement for cost share with Princeton.
Pavement Contract
The board awarded the contract for pavement resurfacing on Co. Rd. 1 and Co. Rd. 5 to Knife River at $3,662,927.88.
Other bidders on the project were: North Valley, Inc. ($4,223,235.15), OMG Midwest Inc. Dba Minnesota Paving and Materials ($4,389,855.69) and Duininck Inc. ($4.635,606.80). The engineer’s estimate was $4,971,572.00.
Project construction dates will be contracted from Aug. 11, 2025, through Oct. 24, 2025.
MPCA Grant
The board approved and authorized submission of an application to the MPCA for the 2026 Low-Income Fix-up Subsurface Sewage Treatment System Grant program in the amount of $74,000.
The program is heavily utilized in the county, and the funds Planning and Zoning has to support the program are going to be significantly reduced in 2026 due to the exhausted $150,000 grant to assist low-income landowner with replacing failing septic systems that was received in 2023. The $74,000 will ensure the county has adequate funds to support the program for 2026.
Tuesday’s Meeting
The Sherburne County Board Tuesday recognized Geographic Information System (GIS) staff members who received the Special Achievement in GIS Award.
The ESRI Special Achievement in GIS (SAG) Award recognizes organizations worldwide for their outstanding use of GIS technology. Sherburne County received a 2025 award for its innovative GIS Permitting Platform.
Public Works Director Andrew Witter said using GIS technology, the department created a permitting system that allows citizens to apply online and track their permit, streamlines workflows, is mobile-friendly for field work, reminds staff of critical deadlines, supports staff in better decision-making, and is customizable.
Sherburne County now processes about 2,500 permits a year through the use of GIS.
GIS staff include Jenna Walz - Senior GIS Specialist, 9 years with Sherburne County; Melissa Gearman - GIS Specialist, 4 years; Brett Forbes - GIS Coordinator, 24 years and Carrie Winter - Office Supervisor, 6 years.
Sherburne County was the only local Minnesota government recognized for the award.
EV Contract
In a 4-1 vote, the board awarded the contract for the installation of the Electric Vehicle Charging Stations at the Sherburne County Government Center to Design Electric at $355.077. The original engineer’s estimate was 208,266.40.
Based on the grants received for the project, the county has been able to shift grant funds around so there will be no new levy impact above what was originally anticipated and budgeted.
The county will receive $280,000 in Carbon Reduction funding and $42,111.31 in a Force Account agreement.
Commissioner Gregg Felber voted against.
Park Grant
The board approved an Outdoor Recreation Grant Agreement with the MN Dept. of Natural Resources for park improvements at Island View Park.
In 2023, the county solicited grant funding to improve parking, educational features, picnic facilities and restroom facilities at Island View Park. The county has been awarded $350,000 for the project. The grant requires a 50% match. The $350,000 non-state match is included in the approved 2025 Parks Budget ($221,500 through ARPA and $128,500 in the Parks Budget).
Other Business
In other actions the board:
• Approved a temporary On-Sale liquor license for the Clear Lake Lions Club, to be used at Palmer Twp. Park on Sept. 6 for Palmer Day;
• Approved the issuance of a Solid Waste License to Elk River Composting, Inc. for renewal of a Yard Waste Compost Facility for a 5-year term, ending on Dec.31, 2030;
• Approved a preliminary and final simple plat of “Belmont Pines,” consisting of two lots on 49.24 acres on 269th Ave. NW in Livonia Twp.;
• Approved amendments to the Sherburne County 2040 Comprehensive Plan to account for the incorporation of the City of Baldwin and to address changes in local planning documents and policy direction;
• Approved renewal of a County Solid Waste License for Rite Away Auto, Inc.. The company operates a salvage yard facility in Big Lake Twp. and is nearing the end of their initial one-year term.
