Supervisor David Jehoich reported that several “road closed” signs had been stolen from the road leading into the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge Road), but had just as mysteriously reappeared some days later, though several of the orange traffic cones used to mark the road remain missing, according to contractor John Herbst.

 

Water levels have been dropping, Jehoich said, and the road is now mainly free of water in that area.  Herbst reported that emergency funds are needed to help correct problems with Ditch 16 and other waterways in the township that need work to help remove standing water from the early rains in the area.  Inadequate runoff flow in ditches, and culverts in the wrong placed or set too high have resulted in homes being flooded in the township, and emergency funds are needed if the work is to be completed by at least September, Herbst reported.

 

Schmiesing stated that one of the problems is that the “ditch law is old”, and that action by the Legislature will be needed to change current maintenance practices.

A proposal for bids for a project on 62nd St. was tabled to August due to high water levels, though the board did approve additional Class 5 gravel for the Refuge Road in the next few weeks if the drying-out continues.

 

Schmiesing reported to the board that the county has so far declined to pass any new county-wide feedlot regulations.  The most recent regulations developed by the county were never approved, he said, because there was language in those regulations that would not work for every operation.  The board is still keeping the matter under study as they seek to find the “correct language” that would make the regulations practical for broad applications.

 

On the issue of adding natural gas pipeline miles to connect with new residences, Schmiesing said that “counties and townships” do not normally get involved in these kinds of negotiations, but that officials from those governmental agencies and the gas company should be able to get together to at least discuss means by which demand for gas might be met, where practicable. A solution would not include any sort of special assessment or other financial burden on townships, Schmiesing said, but “we need to have this discussion” with the providers.

 

On the issue of roads Sherburne County would like to “turn back” to local townships to own and maintain, Schmiesing told the board that Santiago has only one road remaining on the list, which is the current Co. Rd. 85.  The county had hired an outside consultant to compile a list of roads for turning back in 2006, Schmiesing said, which totaled 35.  Of those, 12 have been turned back around the county, 20 have been taken off the list and three remain for turn back, including the one in Santiago.

While all this may change in the future, all roads for turn-back must be brought up to county standards before being turned over to townships, Schmiesing said.

 

The board approved a resolution to follow the lead of the county in deciding whether property on 20th St. is buildable or not, and voted to seek clarification on a letter from the County Attorney, which itself sought clarification on the matter of a potential drain field problem in the Mayberry Estates section.

 

The sheriff’s report for June indicated 58 calls for service in Santiago, including 19 traffic stops.