Burnett County Highway Dept. Committee Meeting
March 15, 2006

The regular meeting of the Burnett County Highway Committee convened on Wednesday, March 15, 2006. Larry Main called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. Also present were Bert Lund Jr., Commissioner Morehouse, Jeff Scanlon, Sheila Bristol, Todd Beckmann (Sentinel) and representatives from Kraemer and Contel-PK Forest.

There were no other appearances by the public.

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

Advertised bids for culverts, liners and pulverizing were opened by Chairman Main and reviewed. Monarch Paving was the low bid for pulverizing at .24/sq. yard while Kraemer's bid was at .268/sq. yard. A combined culvert and liner bid of $31,802.75 was received from PK Forest, while Johnson Fargo submitted individual price sheets without a total. The Commissioner felt PK Forest was most likely the lower bidder however closer review would be needed. Motion by Chairman Main, seconded by Bert Lund, Jr. to accept bids as presented and have the Commissioner do a cost comparison. Motion carried.

The Commissioner requested authorization to advertise for asphalt and oil bids for the upcoming construction season. He suggested having the opening the day before the next committee meeting so the results and comparisons would be available for the committee to act on. He stated he would like all bidding to be done that way in the future. Motion by Main/Lund to approve soliciting for asphalt and oil bids, and have the bid results and comparisons available for the next committee meeting. Motion carried.

The Commissioner informed the committee that the County now owns another gravel pit. He stated that the purchase of the Wiberg pit has been completed. All paperwork is finished and he has a copy of the survey map of the twenty acres.

The Commissioner has signed a contract with Cedar Corporation for the 2006 bridge inspections. Federal requirements mandate that bridges be inspected every two years. He felt a price increase from $84 to $102/bridge is acceptable. The Commissioner has offered the service to the eighteen townships that also need bridges inspected. Three townships and one county bridge also need underwater inspection which has to be sub-contracted for $450 per bridge.

The Commissioner has secured The Bergman Company to complete the line painting on county roads this season. A .004/linear foot increase in price was noted.

Commissioner Morehouse reviewed the Beaver Damage Control Program Contract for 2006. Federal funding has once again been provided for making our share of the cost $3,000. The contract period is from April 17-October 27. All problem beaver are reported and handled through this program. The department receives a monthly progress report.

Spring Load Restrictions have been posted on CTH-O. The Commissioner stated that in time we would need to consider posting more of our roads to protect our infrastructure. Due to recent legislation logging trucks can carry 98,000 pounds without penalty, which will cause substantial damage in time. Frost tubes have been ordered to allow for improved monitoring during breakup.

A resolution supporting CTH-A (Oak Lake) speed limit reduction to 35 mph was reviewed and signed by the Committee. The speed zone clearly meets state requirements and is presently at an advisory speed limit due to sharp curves and increased driveway entrances. This resolution will next be presented at the County Board of Supervisors meeting for further action.

An Open Project Status Report was not dispersed as few changes were noted from last month's update.

State Projects

· Repair curbs, Danbury, Siren, Grantsburg.
· STH 35 - CTH A to south bridge Danbury (reconstruct).
· STH 35 - CTH X to North Bridge (rut pavement repair includes milling and over-layment).
· Additional crack-filling on STH-70.
· Funding carryover of approximately $135,000 will be available for additional projects.

Township Projects

· Webb Lake - Namekagon Trail.
· Webb Lake - River Road.
· Siren - Lonestar Road.
· Siren - Gordon Road or Burnikel Road.

County Projects-Construction

· CTH F - Foxes Landing to Nordstrom Ln 1.75 miles.
· CTH H - STH 77 to Burls Trail 1.8 miles. (if funded)
· Riverside Cutoff - DNR permits have been submitted.

County Projects-Maintenance

· CTH B - Thompson Rd to Cranberry Marsh Rd 4 miles.
· CTH F - Nordstrom Lane to Curry Road

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

· Unit #188 Tri-axle is going today-it is one of our trades.
· New Trucks are awaiting their boxes-not sure of delivery date.
· Compressor on Shop Truck died. Replacement of unit cost $1,700.
· Crack Sealer and Power Broom should be delivered the first week of April.
· Pressure Washer is here and crews have been steaming with it.
· Construction Foreman's Truck still awaiting delivery.
· Facility-overhead door needed service-wasn't opening. Will need replacement before next winter otherwise trucks may have it sit outdoors.

March invoices in the amount of $126,213.34 were presented to the committee. There was a motion by Lund/Main to authorize and confirm all invoices processed in March and those presented for payment. Motion carried.

The next regular meeting of the Burnett County Highway Committee will be held on Wednesday April 12, 2006 at 8:00 a.m.

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