[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6619512,"mediaKeyId","2835010-4a5e46dc903b3a76ec65c55665be1874","parentId",2835010,"title","Polk County adopts countywide permit to let landowners reclaim windblown topsoil from county ditches","audioSeconds",721,"startMs",4089000,"endMs",4810000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2835010-4a5e46dc903b3a76ec65c55665be1874&start=4089&end=4810","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2835010-4a5e46dc903b3a76ec65c55665be1874/thumbnail_4089000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6619512/Polk-County/Minnesota/Polk-County-adopts-countywide-permit-to-let-landowners-reclaim-windblown-topsoil-from-county-ditches","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6619512-f5ac4c4d557ce43edbf18868626a58e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775391992&Signature=N5z7bM44mNUp-Em4Q1URyv9OR9y8CpKX2umN3fdduCJW6nM2TSXQ7-a7gGSM~rAPsnZGaRgRaUomQVXNWnVBB2dsnXHEZMjVSCRcfXqHWWxDzNunjxPVAvEJVqDdFWN-SEteonkdjtR9rVSglRvtYGg0PYi6E5u8PinFEecwcFHLJyc3Hy8NCLug14stpThfg8~u33u7u1rycmjP1D8OhTWj01mJukwb5deGfwGpuaMcfYae~66ed-cEbX4vZuLu4R2664YRJ6L93CQYaSOu7Zweh1wYt7ooXtu660H7E2zjpaA-jU4T7yWGhuIOFoW6KlEgdSOHhUI76E5JG~jgSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Polk County","date","2025-04-01T16:06:38.313Z","article","Polk County commissioners adopted a countywide right-of-way policy allowing landowners to reclaim windblown topsoil from Polk County roadway ditches without the standard $300 permit fee and directed county staff to administer and monitor the program.

County highway staff explained the difference between the county highway permitting process (private work within county right-of-way) and the county drainage ditch petition process. Historically landowners applied for permits, paid $300 and received a $200 refund after inspection. Staff told the board that with widespread windblown topsoil this spring, the permitting workload would be overwhelming under the standard process and could delay needed cleanup. To speed remediation, staff recommended a blanket permit allowing landowners to remove “blow soil” to the sod level and return it to their fields at their cost; the fee would be waived and the county would record where reclamation occurs. Staff said contractors already on file (with insurance certificates) may be used and that any work beyond topsoil or below the sod would require the usual permitting and petition process.

Commissioners asked for guardrails: the policy covers only Polk County roadway ditches (not township or state ditches), applies only to topsoil/sod-level removal, and requires restoration if a landowner removes more than allowed. For county drainage ditches (the separate legal system), staff will continue to send petitions and will have the administrative authority to approve routine blow-soil cleanups to avoid bottlenecks at board meetings; petition-driven or larger work will still come to the board for formal approval.

The motion passed by voice vote. Highway staff will issue a countywide right-of-way form (fee waived), log reclamation sites, and require proof of insurance and other standard conditions where private contractors perform the work. The board directed staff to notify landowners of the limits and to coordinate with townships on separate ditch authorities.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4-1-25 Polk County Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners approved a blanket right-of-way permit for landowners to remove windblown topsoil (called 'blow soil') from county road ditches, waived the usual $300 fee, and authorized staff-level approvals for county drainage ditch petitions to speed cleanups.","taxTitle","Polk County, Minnesota","taxId",71063,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6619515,"Polk County awards multiple road contracts and adjusts CSAH allocation",235,3755000,3990000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2835010-4a5e46dc903b3a76ec65c55665be1874&start=3755&end=3990","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2835010-4a5e46dc903b3a76ec65c55665be1874/thumbnail_3755000.jpg","/articles/6619515/Polk-County/Minnesota/Polk-County-awards-multiple-road-contracts-and-adjusts-CSAH-allocation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6619515-4b2360b70615baf84c6b04de30344915/orig.mp4?Expires=1775391992&Signature=HFnLCd2GKwTAE0eEPomVge5m-tvg4euM4W7rftwNEwthFGmSSH1uCGsZJmVzRwGKK-0WUQPIRBRAJP17UuV4h3~rjpuGh4xGRtvTx3bXVAT-auDsOUISd6LhgfGU3OMWnHIcPH59TpdQBTPEm~pK0NCaJd9eiaJC2u9xXCZVdBa0Ze8bRwzg97BOoLUklQZlv6PpZIeTFLVoaiooweofuCeFg4qHICOTvo-bXnmT3b0x-4KlSK-JfZ07y94BAZX1Uz~dlQBkDwJpvZgpjX33XnbSBN8zJypgY6VSU6pt30rCfblmetxiPiJqCRC-SnD3kZzj8jVtxZ~SVJh6pLMtNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Polk County commissioners awarded three highway-related contracts and revised a County State Aid Highway (CSAH) funding resolution during the meeting.

The board accepted the low bid from R.J. Zavoral & Sons Inc. for surfacing work on County Road 46 (between Trunk Highways 102 and 2) at $2,020,319. Staff noted the project will complete a truck bypass route east of Crookston. Commissioners also awarded the county’s hot-in-place recycle work for three segments to Industrial, Inc. at $4,793,919.75; staff described the included segments and the contractor’s bid as the only responsive submission. For spring curb-and-gutter sweeping the board awarded the county contract to Matheson (Grand Forks) at $165 per hour for sweepers serving county roads and participating small cities.

Highway staff told the board the state reduced the county’s anticipated CSAH allocation and required the county to maintain two years’ worth of funding in its account. Commissioners revised Resolution 2025-18 from the amount previously proposed to $630,307.57 to align with the state’s restriction. Staff said the reduced figure does not place a burden on the current highway budget and represents additional, not operating, funds for future construction reserve.

Board members approved each contract and the resolution revision by voice vote; staff were authorized to execute contracts and begin project scheduling. The board asked highway staff to present implementation timelines to coordinate mobilization. The highway department will track contract execution and report status to the board.","The county board awarded street-sweeping and paving contracts, approved a hot-in-place recycling contract for several county roads, and revised a county-state aid funding request after the state limited the available amount.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6619520,"Polk County Board approves contracts, rezoning and permits in routine business session",9720,1590000,11310000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2835010-4a5e46dc903b3a76ec65c55665be1874&start=1590&end=11310","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2835010-4a5e46dc903b3a76ec65c55665be1874/thumbnail_1590000.jpg","/articles/6619520/Polk-County/Minnesota/Polk-County-Board-approves-contracts-rezoning-and-permits-in-routine-business-session","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6619520-4008c351e5c34079d10f8c10bfc87880/orig.mp4?Expires=1775391992&Signature=gP7rDmFjdr4usr-CERXjWABThipyokTaMwvmt0q7nxY1mT1LPQMfrmsoXc3uos-dFYTUqJaJvwFYj547~wibq1C2ift5xLRJMTvAblGjKZ3dGT7KujbIoeS3L7qT6rQNy7fO91gK4G1WfbZMpnrFo04b4dsdAnj-TalYbXeXtUptyA580UVOwCQIWnTgNVM2cr5OO1YWMJnxbNS10pLdlmjWAf-KI~WQcAm-KEliVGCdaTCDQFxYcqLoGYJb0Z4vWvDd3f4BYUXLQtst43Wj5y4phQpHIWEZDklPhCNe447C861aXjWWRuSg9tECfmzuPVOp~RW0KGOS2RX0BFg4Kw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Polk County commissioners approved a slate of routine and project-specific items at their meeting, including multiple road contracts, a revised County State Aid Highway (CSAH) funding resolution, a countywide permit for removing windblown topsoil from county roadway ditches and related approvals for land use and business operations. The votes were unanimous or voice-approved where recorded.

The board awarded a street-sweeping contract to Matheson (Grand Forks) for spring sweeping of county curb-and-gutter streets and small cities. Commissioners approved a surfacing contract to R.J. Zavoral & Sons Inc. for County Road 46 between Trunk Highways 102 and 2 (low bid $2,020,319). The board also awarded a hot-in-place recycle contract to Industrial, Inc. (bid $4,793,919.75) for several county routes, and authorized execution of related contracts.

Board members accepted a reduced CSAH funding allocation from the state and revised Resolution 2025-18 downward to $630,307.57 after staff explained the state requires two years of funding in the account. Commissioners approved a countywide, blanket right-of-way permit allowing landowners to reclaim windblown black topsoil (referred to in discussion as “blow soil”) from Polk County roadway ditches without paying the standard $300 permit fee; the board also authorized administrative approvals for county drainage ditch petitions so staff can expedite cleanups.

On land-use matters the board approved a rezone of an 11.98-acre parcel in Bigland Township from agricultural to industrial for a truck and equipment storage yard (applicant: RZS Holdings LLP) and separately approved a conditional-use permit for Dragseth Farms Inc. to operate a custom animal butcher business on a 15-acre agricultural parcel in Roan Township (50-by-80 processing building). The board also terminated a previously issued conditional-use permit for a proposed bakery (Backwind Foods Inc.) where the applicant did not build the approved facility.

The board authorized advertising and hiring for two budgeted positions (wellness coordinator plus one other) and approved next steps on a proposed budget-management software subscription (initial one-year commitment with an opt-out clause; administrator to return to the board with an implementation plan). Commissioners approved reimbursement to Tri County Community Corrections for its share of legal expenses from litigation over the county roofing project; the county accepted the settlement and directed that incoming funds be applied to bond or construction-related accounting.

Most motions passed by voice vote with recorded movers and seconders when made; where a roll-call tally was not read, the minutes record “all in favor” or similar voice approval.

Votes at a glance: Matheson (street sweeping) — approved; R.J. Zavoral & Sons Inc. (CR 46 surfacing) — approved, low bid $2,020,319; Industrial, Inc. (hot-in-place recycle) — approved, bid $4,793,919.75; Revision of Resolution 2025-18 (CSAH funding) to $630,307.57 — approved; Countywide permit to reclaim windblown topsoil from county road ditches — approved; Rezone (Parcel 09.000160.01) from agricultural to industrial (RZS Holdings LLP) — approved with condition that Bigland Township sign permits; Conditional-Use Permit for Dragseth Farms Inc. (custom butcher shop) — approved with conditions; Termination of Backwind Foods Inc. conditional-use permit — approved; Authorization to advertise/hire two budgeted positions — approved; Authorization to pursue budget software with administrator follow-up and one-year contract/opt-out provision — approved; Reimbursement to Tri County for litigation legal expenses — approved; Administrator travel to ICMA conference — approved.

The board discussed timing for implementation and follow-up on items such as the software rollout, accounting treatment of settlement proceeds, and administrative procedures for the ditch-permit program; staff were directed to return with further details where needed and to coordinate with townships on land-use approvals.

The meeting included routine committee reports and updates from departments but did not include any ordinance adoptions or amendments to county code.","At its regular meeting the Polk County Board approved multiple contracts for road work and sweeping, revised a county-state aid resolution, approved a rezone and a conditional-use permit, and adopted a countywide permit for removal of windblown topsoil from county ditches.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Polk County adopts countywide permit to let landowners reclaim windblown topsoil from county ditches

Polk County awards multiple road contracts and adjusts CSAH allocation

Polk County Board approves contracts, rezoning and permits in routine business session