Griggs County commissioners approve Decker Bridge easement, road work updates and equipment purchases

Griggs County commissioners on Aug. 11 approved signing an easement tied to the Decker Bridge project, heard progress reports on multiple road and bridge contracts, agreed to pursue several grant applications for road work, and approved purchases of equipment intended to speed storm debris removal.

The actions came during a special meeting called after the regular schedule was changed; commissioners also approved the meeting agenda, the July minutes and the monthly bills earlier in the session.

County engineering consultant Paul (KLJ) briefed the board on active projects. “They got the patching done on the January or July 24. They did the seal on July 28. They got about 97% of plan quantity for the oil and chips,” Paul said, summarizing recent work on the seal-coat project south of Cooperstown. He said crews completed rumble strips and still need to apply a fog seal, finish striping and complete final punch-list items.

On another paving contract, Paul said crews planned to do a two-pass grinding and milling approach so asphalt can be blended off-site and reused as salvage base course, possibly supplemented with virgin material where cores showed insufficient gravel.

The Decker Bridge project remains scheduled for next May, Paul said; the contractor submitted wetland mitigation credits and beam/railing drawings and right-of-way documents are in the packet. The commission then moved to authorize signing a statutory right-of-way easement associated with the project. Motion by Commissioner Zorn, second by Commissioner Bridal, passed on roll call with all four commissioners voting aye. The packet lists the property as about 0.07 acres plus a small construction easement; purchase/transaction details were recorded in the meeting packet and included in the bills the board approved.

Commissioners discussed grant options to fund other county road work. Paul advised submitting the same application previously filed for safety-related funds to the “flex fund” (deadline noted as Sept. 19) and said unsuccessful projects are automatically carried into the next round. The board also discussed applying for a GRAMA/Grama-style grant (described in the meeting as a separate program) and using Prairie Dog or other local funds to widen slopes or address parts of County Road 8 where riprap and steep, non-recoverable clear zones pose safety risks.

Wayne and other road staff described tree-clearing and debris-removal needs after recent storms. Commissioners authorized purchasing a grapple bucket for the skid steer and a larger chainsaw to speed roadside cleanup. Commissioner Zorn moved to approve the purchases; Commissioner Gabriel seconded. A voice vote recorded Zorn, Gabriel, Lauren and Tremont as aye and the motion passed.

The board approved a request from the American Legion (post commander Neil Sandvik) to display a commemorative plaque in the courthouse honoring Marvin Briss, a Griggs County resident killed in Vietnam. Sandvik said the plaque and stand are funded by the legion and would be displayed in the courthouse lobby; the commission approved the request by voice vote.

Travis Palm, county IT, updated commissioners on the courthouse access-control project. He said the majority of the direct-control door system is in place, one door awaits a replacement part and badges will be printed and issued for functioning doors. “We have the tie in with the fire system and the tie in with the panic alarms,” Palm said, adding that alarms and door-lock functions were tested and will be included in annual tests.

Maintenance and facilities issues were also discussed: staff plan to evaluate storage needs and possible purchase or rental of a movable storage shed (options discussed included skidded units sized roughly 9x12 to 12x12), and Chad (maintenance) will be asked to present cost options at a future meeting.

Votes at a glance - Approve agenda — motion made and seconded; voice vote, motion carried. - Approve July meeting minutes — motion made and seconded; voice vote, motion carried. - Approve monthly bills — motion by Zorn; second by Bridal; voice vote, motion carried. - Authorize signing statutory right-of-way easement for Decker Bridge (purchase/0.07 acres plus construction easement) — motion by Zorn; second by Bridal; roll-call vote: Zorn Aye, Gabriel Aye, Lauren Aye, Charmaine Aye; outcome: approved. - Approve courthouse plaque (American Legion) — motion seconded; voice vote, motion carried. - Approve purchase of grapple bucket and larger chainsaw for road crew (approx. $4,500 for grapple; chainsaw amount not specified) — motion by Zorn; second by Gabriel; voice vote recorded ayes; outcome: approved.

Why it matters The Decker Bridge easement clears a key administrative step for a major bridge replacement scheduled next spring; approving equipment and continuing grant applications aims to speed recovery and reduce future maintenance cost after storm damage, particularly on County Road 8 and other high-priority routes. The security updates and plaque approval address courthouse operations and public commemoration.

What’s next Right-of-way documents remain on file and the county will finalize the Decker Bridge easement signatures; road staff will proceed with the fog-seal, striping and final acceptance steps for recent paving contracts and will submit grant applications by the stated deadlines. Commissioners set the next meeting for Aug. 25 at 9:30 a.m. in the same room.