Steele County reviews culvert error and contractor claims, approves $2.26 million pay estimate

Steele County commissioners took up multiple road‑project issues Nov. 6, 2018, addressing a culvert sizing error, a contractor claim, and a multimillion‑dollar pay estimate.

Road Superintendent Reed Oien told the board he had ordered two 8‑foot culvert pipes for the Westfield Township project but that configuration would not accommodate expected flow; the board agreed to seek an engineering opinion and to order a different culvert after Interstate Engineering provided sizing guidance.

Mike Bassingthwaite of Interstate Engineering reported that Knife River submitted a notice of claim dated Nov. 2 seeking $82,322 for costs on the County Road 23 east project. Commissioners discussed liquidated damages, outstanding punch‑list items and the contract's defective‑work clause; Bassingthwaite estimated related additional engineering costs at about $80,000. Steele County States Attorney Charlie Stock said he will draft a response to Knife River's notice of claim for consideration at the next meeting.

Separately, the board approved a pay estimate for Central Specialties in the amount of $2,259,137.11 (motion by Commissioner Richard Strand, seconded by Commissioner Ted Johnson). Bassingthwaite told the board engineering expenses on that project have exceeded prior estimates by roughly $22,000.

The commission also discussed a Highway Safety Impact striping project with an estimated cost of $400,000 under a 90/10 funding match, leaving the county responsible for about $40,000 if it proceeds. Bassingthwaite agreed to work with Commissioner Richard Strand on order details for culverts and other project follow‑up.

The county scheduled further consideration of the Knife River claim and the engineering responses at a subsequent meeting.