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County discusses multiple road and culvert projects, awards landfill vertical‑expansion bid
Summary
Commissioners discussed FEMA‑funded culvert replacements, right‑of‑way purchases, a disputed entrance at Hidden Valley Lakes, and awarded a $66,022 bid for a landfill vertical expansion; staff will check FEMA reimbursement rules and fair‑market valuations for right‑of‑way.
Commissioners spent substantial time on several road and bridge items including culvert replacements linked to FEMA projects, a county line entrance dispute at Hidden Valley Lakes, and a bid award for a landfill vertical expansion.
Public works staff described a culvert replacement on what was referred to as the Bastyr project. Staff said the state and FEMA rules require a 4:1 embankment slope in some locations to enable recovery vehicle access. To meet that standard staff described purchasing 100 feet of large‑diameter culvert at roughly $25,000, plus bands and associated work; staff said FEMA would reimburse 75 percent of an eligible total but that reimbursement timelines can take years.
Jesse Walton said the county must also buy right‑of‑way from adjacent landowners to meet the required slope in at least one location. “We need to purchase 35 feet of right of way on either side of the culvert, so a total of 70 feet of right away from the landowners,” Walton said; he told commissioners he would work with FEMA staff to confirm which costs are reimbursable.
Commissioners approved awarding the vertical expansion work at the county landfill to the apparent low bidder for $66,022. Staff reported two bids were received; the board moved to award the work and voted aye. During discussion staff said one bidder—identified in staff remarks as Nail Excavation—and another (Cohen Construction) submitted bids; the record contains an inconsistent contractor name later referenced during the motion. The approved contract amount is $66,022.
Separately, staff presented photos and a survey of a reopened entrance near Hidden Valley Lakes on the county line with Bourbon County. Staff explained the section corner sits in the middle of the reopened entrance; properties on the right of the image fall in Linn County, left in Bourbon County. Commissioners directed staff to meet with Bourbon County and the local homeowners association, and to require any entrance be processed through planning and zoning and road and bridge approvals.
For the smaller culvert project on Scott Road staff said a standard 30‑foot replacement will be used where adequate right‑of‑way exists. Walton said both FEMA culvert projects must be complete by January to meet program timelines.
Ending: Staff will contact FEMA to confirm reimbursement rules (including whether right‑of‑way and fence costs are eligible), gather firm cost estimates for culvert purchases and contractor work, and coordinate meetings with Bourbon County and the local HOA about the Hidden Valley Lakes entrance.
