The regular meeting of the Burnett County Highway Committee convened on Wednesday, November 10, 2004. The meeting was called to order at 8 a.m. by Vice-Chairman, Eldon Freese. Also present were Bert Lund Jr., Commissioner Morehouse, Sheila Bristol, and Chet Newman (Sentinel).

There were two additions to the agenda:

1) Resolution on Funding affecting Highways Departments.
2) Extension of Culvert Contract.

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

Commissioner Morehouse reviewed 2005 equipment purchases and the need to advertise for bid opening at next month's meeting. He reported that in order to qualify for discounts we need to place our order this year, however it will take up to six months for delivery. Motion by Freese/Lund to solicit for truck and grader bids and have bid opening at our December meeting. Motion carried.

There was follow-up from yesterday's approval of the 2005 budget by the Burnett County Board of Supervisors. No additional changes were made to the Highway Department Budget. The Commissioner shared concern that we are continuing to go backwards with little or no increases. Projects continue to slide and our budget is not enough to support our roads and the improvements that are needed. He felt that GASB information will most likely support the fact that our roads are depreciating faster than we can maintain them.

Commissioner Morehouse informed the committee that last month's action on the CTH Z speed zone needed to be amended to include a larger stretch of roadway. He recommended the reduction of speed to include a stretch of roadway from Cedar Point Road to STH 48. Motion by Lund/Freese to amend last month's motion to encompass Cedar Point Road to STH 48 and post this area at a 45 mph speed zone as requested. Motion carried

Commissioner Morehouse dispersed a packet of information on the proposed driveway entrance permit process. He recommended that committee review this information and consider action at next month's meeting. The packet included information on driveway rules and regulations, an application form and the proposed user fee schedule. The commissioner also included information on legal requirements for mailboxes on county roads. He stated that in the future this type of information and permit process could be available on our county's website. There was some concern that the County Zoning Department was already charging for a driveway permit. The commissioner stated that only the Highway Department can authorize driveway access onto a county road. He informed the committee that the Zoning permit pertained to issuance of fire-number signage.

Details on the upcoming Winter Highway Conference was dispersed. It will be held on January 24-26, 2005 in the Wisconsin Dells. Commissioners and committee members are invited.

An Open Project Status Report for November was dispersed and reviewed, see attached.
The commissioner reported that next year's construction season looks even larger than this year. He stated we are securing more township work based on our reputation. He commented they like the quality of work we do and the fact that we handle the entire wetland permit process.

A.) County Projects:

· County construction projects scheduled for this year are complete.

B.) Township Projects:

· Additional project for Anderson Township-Assembly Road-road stabilization project.
· Meenon Township-Austin Lake Rd project-should be completed next week.
· Forestry Department-fire lane improvement project-will begin if weather holds.

C.) State Projects:

· Crack Filling STH 70-complete.

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

· Our equipment is ready for the winter snow removal operations.
· The new Ford F350 fleet pickup was delivered yesterday.
· A seal in the engine of the broom was replaced.
· Hwy office furnace has malfunctioned twice so far this heating season.
· A cage around the press, has been fabricated in the shop to increase employee safety.

Commissioner Morehouse presented a resolution, endorsed by Chairman Main, inhibiting the State from removing state highway funds to balance the State's budget. Motion by Lund/Freese to support this resolution and present to full County Board. Motion carried.

Johnston Fargo Culvert has offered to extend our 2003 culvert contract into 2005. The commissioner reported a 30% increase could be expected in 2005 and therefore favors its continuance. Motion by Lund/Freese to extend the present culvert contract with Johnston Fargo Culvert into 2005. Motion carried.

November vouchers in the amount of $157,375.84 were presented for payment. There was a motion by Freese/Lund 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 Tuesday, December 7, 2004 at 8:00 a.m.

Vice-Chairman Freese declared the meeting adjourned at 9:30 a.m.