The regular meeting of the Burnett County Highway Committee convened on Wednesday, July 13, 2005. The meeting was called to order at 8:10 a.m. by Chairman, Larry Main. Also present were Eldon Freese, Commissioner Morehouse, Jeff Scanlon, Sheila Bristol and a representative from the Sentinel.

There were no appearances by the public.

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

Discussion on the Wiberg gravel pit was delayed until Duane Wiberg could arrive.

Two speed limit proposals were reviewed by the Commissioner.

· CTH-U (from Fort to Beech St.) Currently a 45 mph speed limit exists along CTH-U from STH-35 to the Fort. The Commissioner supports extending this speed limit to Beech Street-which would take it all the way around Yellow Lake. A traffic study is not necessary for this change. He sited the need for this speed reduction is due to increased traffic and homes in the area. Motion by Freese/Main to proceed in lowering the speed zone to 45 mph on CTH-U from the Fort to Beech Street. Motion carried.

· CTH-A (from Oak Lake Rd to Banach Road) A copy of a petition and a letter from the Town of Scott was received supporting reducing the speed limit along CTH-A from Oak Lake Road to Banach Road. They suggested reducing the limit to 35 mph which would required a traffic study conducted by the WI Department of Transportation. Motion by Freese/Main to table this request until further information from a traffic study could be considered. Motion carried.

The Commissioner updated the committee on the potential jurisdictional transfer of the Riverside cutoff from the Swiss and Blaine Townships to the County. He stated this roadway would be beneficial to the County, especially the Forestry Department who could access their timber year round. His concerns are that this 3.1 miles of road are not up to grade. He cited a conservative estimate to be $400,000 to upgrade this stretch and is questioning where the money is coming from. The committee directed the Commissioner to get a written proposal from both Townships stating what they are willing to provide, and then proceed.

Duane Wiberg arrived at the meeting. He presented a proposal to sell his gravel pit, which is located next to the Ski-slide pit, to the County. This land is not currently listed as a pit with the Burnett County Department of Land and Water. The Commissioner stated he would need to assess the gravel content, check on boundaries and consider reclamation costs at this site. Mr. Wiberg offered to sell these 20 acres at a purchase price of $4,000/acre. Motion by Main/Freese to check for gravel content and report back to the committee. Motion carried.

The Commissioner informed the committee of Project 25 compliance mandates from the Federal Government regarding radio communications. He reviewed information received at a recent meeting with Bobbi Sichta, Burnett County Emergency Management Director. All radios and towers presently being used for county services including Fire and EMS will be obsolete in 2013. The frequency bandwidths have been narrowed and present radio systems will no longer function. The Commissioner stated his department has 53 radios that will need to be replaced at a considerable cost. He suggested phasing into the mandate by replacing units as needed with the new compatible types.

Authorization to fill the vacancy left by Gene Cummings was granted on a Freese/Main motion. Motion carried.

Commissioner Morehouse informed the committee of an upcoming Department Heads meeting to review the 2006 budget process. He shared concern about projecting accurate budget figures that will be approved by the administration. He is concerned over having to continue dropping projects to make the budget work. He stated that the roadways are depreciating faster than we can maintain them. He reported that this year's CTH-C project has been eliminated due to increased fuel and materials costs. Fuel is up 40% and with salt costs up by 12% we will be over in our winter maintenance budget. As machinery and equipment costs are also up the Commissioner requested consideration to secure 2005 equipment prices on trucks for next year's budget. Motion by Main/Freese to pursue obtaining this year's prices for next year's equipment. Motion carried.

Sheila Bristol reported that she had met with Lynn Miller, Burnett County Finance Manager regarding setting up a Capital Improvement Program account as previously authorized by this committee. She reviewed closing fund balances and the transfer of carryover in the amount of $188,330.81 into that account. She cautioned the committee that with the potential for budget overages those funds may need to be transferred back at a future date.

The following Facility Updates were discussed by the Commissioner:

Water and Sewer Process
Recent meetings with Cheryl Flor, PE from SEH and the Village of Siren were discussed.
The need for updating water and sewer service regardless of facility development was reviewed. The Village could provide service with their existing system. Cost to run system to present Highway site is approximately $253,000 (does not include connecting into Highway system). The Commissioner feels it should be a consideration for the 2006 budget. He is still pursuing annexation.

Telephone System
Burnett County Government Center Maintenance Supervisor Faught is assisting the department with the modernization of present system. He will purchase the necessary equipment, phones, etc. to be paid out of the Highway machinery and equipment fund.

Coverall Salt Shed Facility
The Coverall Factory should be here today to fix overhead door problem.

An Open Project Status Report for July was dispersed and reviewed, see attached.

State Projects

· State is working on a mutual agreement with County for ATV trails from (Gandy Trailhead in Danbury to the Log Cabin Store) and (Lake 26 Road in Danbury to Log Cabin Store).

Township Projects

· Meenon Twsp. shouldering Austin Lake Rd, Stengel Rd additional project.

County Projects-Construction

· CTH U-couple days left to finish up small projects.
· CTH X- is complete.
· CTH C-CANCELED LACK OF FUNDS.

County Projects-Maintenance

· CTH-C: STH 35 to CTH-U, CANCELED LACK OF FUNDS.

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

· Unit #186-water tank has been delivered and in service.
· Single Axle-has been delivered.
· Tri-axle-anticipated delivery delayed from August to October.
· Discussion on selling old water tank. The Commissioner stated Ashland County is interested in purchasing it from us. May have a resale value from $500-1,000. Motion by Main/Freese to sell old water tank. Motion carried.

July vouchers in the amount of $543,345.55 were presented for payment. There was a motion by Freese/Main 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 August 17, 2005 at 8:00 a.m.

Motion to adjourn the meeting by Main/Freese. Motion carried.