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County staff report road projects, digital alert app; resolution proposed to coordinate monarch habitat protections
Summary
Road department director Mark Heiliger told commissioners seal coating is finished and fog sealing begins Aug. 18; staff described a TAP grant award for Red Arrow Highway and a proposed agreement with the County Road Association to manage monarch butterfly/milkweed permitting if U.S. Fish and Wildlife lists the species.
The Berrien County Road Department told the Board of Commissioners on Aug. 14 that countywide seal coating is complete and hot-mix pothole patching continues; fog sealing is scheduled to begin Aug. 18.
Road Director Mark Heiliger also said the county launched a BCRD alert sign-up that lets residents get construction alerts via the website or phone. Heiliger described the Department—s display at the county fair showing road designs and construction materials.
County staff reported that the county received a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant for the Red Arrow Highway project; a resolution with an identifying number ending in 298 was described as the county—s measure to accept that award. The county applied for the grant in October, staff said.
Commissioners also heard about a resolution to enter an agreement with the County Road Association to handle permitting and regulatory steps related to monarch butterflies and milkweed should the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service list the monarch as endangered. Thaddeus and Mark discussed the measure; Thaddeus told commissioners the agreement would allow the County Road Association to handle permitting rather than each county project seeking individual federal permits.
A commissioner asked whether the agreement would affect mowing along county roads. Mark Heiliger replied it would leave the outermost three feet of the right of way unmowed; the area between the road and ditches would continue to be maintained, he said.
No formal roll-call votes on these two resolutions are recorded in the meeting transcript; staff presented them as items coming forward for commissioners' consideration.
