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Public Works updates: bridge engineering firm approved; Elm Creek roof estimates, Hidden Valley roads and a landlocked access dispute discussed
Summary
The commission approved sending KDOT a recommendation to hire Schwab & Eaton for construction engineering on the 60th & Grand bridge, heard an Elm Creek roofing estimate, discussed a Hidden Valley request for county road maintenance, and reviewed a landlocked‑access dispute involving a prescriptive‑easement claim.
Public Works staff and a commissioner updated the commission on multiple infrastructure matters and received approval to advance the bridge construction‑engineering contract.
Bridge engineering and bids: Commissioners approved recommending to the Kansas Department of Transportation that Schwab & Eaton (listed in the meeting as the responding firm) serve as construction engineering lead for the 60th and Grand bridge project. The firm previously conducted construction engineering for county bridge work and assisted with the current bridge’s design and grant application. The project will go out to construction bids with an advertised letting date (noted in the meeting as April 16). Commissioners noted KDOT will cover the proportionate cost for construction engineering up to the grant limits; the project’s construction estimate discussed at the meeting was approximately $600,000–$700,000, subject to final bid results.
Elm Creek roofs and historic facility work: Public Works reported a volunteer group and county caretaker offered to install new metal roofing if the county provides materials. Material costs for reroofing the county’s Elm Creek facilities were presented at about $540,971 for all roofs; commissioners asked staff to seek ways to fit the cost into the 2025 budget and to provide volunteer names for liability forms. Work on tuckpointing and window repair is also being coordinated with local partners and the high school.
Hidden Valley roads maintenance: Residents or a homeowners’ association asked the county to assume maintenance of roads in the Hidden Valley/Sugar Valley area. Staff reported the subdivision has historically maintained its own roads for about 21 years. Commissioners said they could not find an agreement on record that obligates the county to maintain those roads and cautioned that taking on Hidden Valley (reported as roughly nine miles of roads) would require long‑term maintenance resources. The commission directed the county attorney to review deeds and minutes for any recorded responsibility and asked staff to return with documented options; no immediate transfer of maintenance responsibilities was approved.
Landlocked property and access: Commissioners also discussed a landlocked property where a private owner (J and M Land Company LLC) has limited access and has put up barriers. Staff said the property owner seeking access (Mr. Cook) has used a route for many years and may have a prescriptive easement or prescriptive rights after 15 years of use; commissioners said they would attempt to facilitate a compromise but noted the matter may proceed as a civil matter if the parties cannot agree. Commissioners directed staff to contact the landowner and to attempt negotiations before initiating a formal closing or opening of road segments.
Other public works notes: Dust‑control program details were shared (minimum 300 feet; prior year rate noted at approximately $1.75 per foot), a ditch project showed visible progress despite recent rain, and staff reported ongoing pothole/maintenance work and other routine road operations.
