The regular meeting of the Burnett County Highway Committee convened on Wednesday, September 8, 2004. The meeting was called to order at 8 a.m. by Larry Main. Also present were Eldon Freese, Bert Lund Jr., Commissioner Morehouse, Jeff Scanlon and Cathy Ingalls.

There were no changes or additions to the agenda.

The minutes of the August regular meeting were approved on a Freese/Lund motion. Motion carried.

Bids for a crew-cab pick-up truck were received and opened by Chairman Main. See attached copy of bid results. Motion by Main/Freese to accept the bids as presented, have Steve Washkuhn review the bid specifications and purchase the vehicle that meets the specifications. Motion carried.

Copies of the revised 2005 budget were dispersed to the Committee. Commissioner Morehouse reviewed the changes made by the Finance Committee. He stated that one piece of equipment was cut from the budget, but that we were able to add a one-mile stretch of CTH-C to the list for improvements next year. He also stated that the levy portion of our budget shows an increase of 3.97% over 2004, but that this figure includes bridge aids.

Commissioner Morehouse reported on a public hearing he attended on August 25th regarding the STH-35 construction project scheduled for 2006. Several business owners at the meeting stated that they would like to see our county roads used as the detour during the construction rather than only State roads. Commissioner Morehouse feels that the County roads are not built to withstand the heavy traffic and heavy loads and does not want to see the County roads labeled as an alternate route.

Commissioner Morehouse reported that construction of the new Cover-All facility is now complete and the blacktop floor should be installed shortly.

GASB 34 calculations for road improvements made in 2003 have been completed and submitted to the Auditor. By July 2005 GASB 34 information regarding all County roads must be complete. Commissioner Morehouse feels that to hire this work out would cost upward of $20,000, but if we do it ourselves it would only be around $3,500. He also stated that the Auditor feels we are better off doing it ourselves.

A letter from Swiss Township authorizing the jurisdictional transfer of the Riverside Cutoff was reviewed. The Highway Committee would like Commissioner Morehouse to write to Blaine Township about their .2 mi. section of that road. Motion by Main/Lund to accept the letter from Swiss Township and begin negotiations with Blaine Township. Motion carried.

The following Project Updates for September were discussed:

· Construction projects for Sand Lake and Union Townships are complete and we are moving over to the Stengel Road project for Meenon Township.
· The County maintenance and construction projects scheduled for this year are complete.

An Equipment Status/Condition report was given by Commissioner Morehouse.

· Unit #175 is back after repairs from deer damage. Total cost was $2,200 but the County Clerk states that our insurance should cover the cost minus our deductible.
· The backhoe needed the oil cooler replaced at a cost of $800.
· The Sheriff's Department is starting to bring their vehicles to us now for maintenance.

September vouchers in the amount of $65,941.82 were presented for payment. There was a motion by Lund/Freese to authorize and confirm all vouchers presented for payment. Motion carried.

The next regular meeting of the Burnett County Highway Committee will be held on Wednesday, October 13, 2004 at 8:00 a.m.

Chairman Main declared the meeting adjourned at 9:15 a.m.