Dunn County commissioners approve multiple road awards, adopt temporary construction easement policy and authorize wetland mitigation pursuit

DUNN COUNTY — The Dunn County Board of Commissioners approved several road contracts and policy changes at its public meeting, advancing projects the county expects to build in 2025 and 2026 and changing how the county approaches fencing and right-of-way easements.

The board awarded the 20th Street Southwest reconstruction project ("20 Seventh Street" in staff materials) to Edward H. Schwartz Construction Inc. for $1,602,947.29 and approved a separate award for improvements on 100th/119th Avenue Southwest and Second Street Southwest to Central Specialties Inc. County staff said those awards followed formal bid openings held during the meeting; staff will complete standard post-bid checks for contractor licensing and insurance before final execution.

Why it matters: the awards fund immediate construction and set contractor responsibilities for projects that county engineers expect to bid and build this season. Commissioners and staff said the decisions aim to move major maintenance and reconstruction work from planning into construction while preserving the county’s ability to verify licensing and insurance.

Major decisions and actions

- Contract awards: The board voted to award the 20 Seventh Street reconstruction to Edward H. Schwartz Construction Inc. for $1,602,947.29 and to award the Hundred Nineteenth/Second Street project to Central Specialties Inc. (award amounts and bid tabulation reviewed in the meeting record). Staff noted the engineer’s estimate for the 20 Seventh Street project was roughly $2,410,000 before bids were opened.

- Easement/fencing policy change: Commissioners approved changing the county’s permanent 60-foot right-of-way easement practice to a recorded temporary construction easement for road projects, with the county retaining recorded access rights to address post-construction drainage or erosion issues. The motion approving the temporary construction easement was made contingent on review and approval by the state’s attorney.

- Easement payment schedule: The board set compensation at $3,000 per acre for the first 60 feet of easement and $1,000 per acre beyond 60 feet (the motion passed by roll call). Staff said the dollar amounts update long-standing county practice and are intended to make payments more uniform.

- Fencing replacement and stipend: Commissioners discussed whether to continue replacing fence materials or to offer a cash stipend instead. After debate, the board decided to retain the existing fence-replacement policy (provide fence materials/installation where appropriate) and not adopt a new stipend for owners who decline materials.

- Wetland mitigation credits: The board approved a motion directing staff to pursue wetland mitigation credits through Ducks Unlimited in support of an off-site mitigation strategy staff proposed for a county project that may require approximately three-quarters of an acre of mitigation credits. The motion passed on an audible vote.

- Road design direction: Commissioners directed county design staff to prepare preliminary designs for a county road (a stretch noted in the meeting as tying into existing mountain pavement) that accommodate future paving (asphalt or concrete). The board approved a motion instructing staff to design to allow future paving rather than design only for a gravel section.

- Other procurement and operations actions: The board approved a $131,151.51 quote to install a yard fence at the Killdeer road shop (motion passed), approved the 1 Oaks utility permit, authorized LTAP road training to be held in Killdeer on April 29, and accepted gravel, crushing, and related bids for use by the road department (the board accepted the bids and left selection to county road staff, contingent on verification of licenses and insurance).

- Property and local-development items: The board voted to transfer the county’s social services building and associated property in Killdeer to the City of Killdeer; the commission also agreed to work with the city and local stakeholders to review a trap-range/concrete plan and tabled detailed action on the trap-range grant application to the next meeting so staff and city representatives can coordinate equipment and layout.

- Appointments and other approvals: The board authorized $2,500 to support the Bowman NEXRAD radar operations (annual contribution), appointed Lori Taber as the county’s load-pass advisory committee designee, and approved the JDA nomination of Jeff Simmons to the local JDA board.

Votes at a glance

(Notes: when a roll-call vote occurred the roll is recorded; where the meeting used verbal “aye” votes the entry shows outcome as recorded in the minutes.)

- Approve minutes from prior meeting — Motion to approve (mover: Commissioner Pelton); Outcome: approved (voice vote). - Approve meeting agenda as amended (added Killdeer Trap Club grant) — Outcome: approved (voice vote). - Pursue Ducks Unlimited wetland mitigation credits for off-site mitigation (motion made by a commissioner; second noted) — Outcome: approved (voice vote). - Authorize James (road staff) to apply for the wetland mitigation credits and seek Ducks Unlimited letter of availability — Outcome: approved (voice vote). - Award 20 Seventh Street reconstruction to Edward H. Schwartz Construction Inc. for $1,602,947.29 — Motion to award (mover: James/staff submission), Outcome: approved (roll call: Commissioners Heizer, Olsen, Pelton, Dalzal all recorded as Yes). - Award Hundred Nineteenth/Second Street improvements to Central Specialties Inc., amount recorded in bid tabulation during meeting — Outcome: approved (roll call recorded Yes). - Direct engineering to design a specified county road to be paved-capable (asphalt or concrete) — Outcome: approved (voice/roll-call mix recorded as Yes). - Approve temporary construction easement policy change (recorded access; contingent on state’s attorney review) — Outcome: approved (roll call recorded Yes). - Approve easement payment schedule ($3,000/acre up to 60 ft; $1,000/acre beyond 60 ft) — Outcome: approved (roll call recorded Yes). - Retain current fence replacement policy (no stipend for declining fence materials) — Outcome: motion to maintain current policy carried. - Approve 1 Oaks utility permit (20-inch polyline on Third Street) — Outcome: approved (voice vote). - Approve quote of $131,151.51 for yard fence at Killdeer shop (low bidder noted) — Outcome: approved (voice vote). - Approve LTAP training to be held in Killdeer on April 29 — Outcome: approved (voice vote). - Accept gravel/crushing/dust-control/fencing/equipment rental bids and delegate vendor selection to road department (contingent on proof of contractor license and insurance) — Outcome: approved (roll call: yes recorded). - Support letter for designation of Highway 200 as the North Dakota Fallen Peace Officers Memorial Highway — Outcome: approved (voice vote). - Transfer county social services building and property in Killdeer to the City of Killdeer — Outcome: approved (roll call: yes recorded). - Appoint Lori Taber as load-pass advisory committee designee — Outcome: approved (voice vote). - Approve Bowman radar support contract, $2,500 (annual) — Outcome: approved (voice vote).

What staff will do next

- Road staff will finalize bid checks (contractor license, insurance) and return final contract paperwork for awarded projects. - Engineering will produce a paving-capable design option for the named mountain road and advise commissioners on cost implications and possible bid alternates (asphalt vs. concrete). - County legal staff will review the temporary construction easement language before recording. - County and city staff will coordinate the Killdeer trap-range layout and equipment details prior to the next meeting.

Ending

The board concluded routine business including personnel and clerk/recorder updates and adjourned after additional administrative votes. Several items, including the trap-range equipment decision and final contractor documentation for bids, were held for follow-up at the next regular meeting.