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Steele County to press Knife River, review bridge repairs and back BUILD grant application
Summary
Commissioners reviewed road work including crack sealing and culvert sales, agreed to seek a repair estimate for the closed Darwin Windloss bridge, instructed the state's attorney to draft a letter to Knife River over stalled work, and voted to sign a BUILD grant support letter.
Steele County commissioners devoted a substantial portion of their July 2018 meetings to road and bridge issues, authorizing follow-up actions and supporting a federal BUILD grant application.
Road Superintendent Reed Oien reported ongoing crack sealing and graveling work, reviewed 2017 and 2018 culvert sales and the Road Department's Razor tracking reports, and confirmed the Darwin Windloss bridge remains closed. Commissioners agreed to review a repair estimate for the bridge at next month's meeting to determine whether repairs will allow reopening.
The board discussed lack of progress by Knife River on the County Road 23 East project and directed States Attorney Charlie Stock to draft a letter to Knife River documenting the county's position and seeking resolution. Commissioners also directed Oien to inspect culverts on the County Road 23 West project to assess conditions and next steps.
Commissioners voted unanimously to sign a letter of support for a BUILD grant application (motion by Commissioner Ted Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Russell Walcker). Emergency Manager Ben Gates reported $26,000 spent on road work from spring flooding with an estimated additional $10,000 possibly required to complete repairs.
The commission also approved issuing a Road Department credit card to Road Superintendent Reed Oien with a $5,000 limit to facilitate operations (motion by Commissioner Ted Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Richard Strand).
What happens next: The county will obtain a bridge repair estimate, have the States Attorney draft correspondence to Knife River, and continue culvert inspections and flood-repair budgeting at future meetings.
