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Commission authorizes gravel bidding, accepts lighting grant and reviews generator quotes
Summary
County staff were authorized to advertise the county’s 2021 graveling plan; commissioners accepted a 50% lighting grant award and approved awarding the courthouse lighting work to the low bidder; generator quotes and a possible FEMA/DES grant were discussed but no purchase decision was made pending grant clarification.
Steele County commissioners authorized staff to put the 2021 graveling work out to bid, accepted a 50% lighting grant award for courthouse and shop lighting, and reviewed several generator quotes while deferring a purchase until grant status is clarified.
Road department staff presented maps and mileage (roughly 34 miles plus spot graveling) and the board voted to advertise the gravel bid and open bids at next month’s meeting. The road superintendent will provide an updated map and the bid specification sheet including the correct crushed‑surface class.
County staff reported the lighting grant was awarded based on the lowest bid (North Star) and recommended accepting approximately $4,501.50 in grant funds toward a roughly $9,003 project. Commissioners voted to accept the grant and award the lighting work to the low bidder.
On emergency power, staff presented two generator options — an 80 kW unit and a larger 450 kW option — and noted Northstar submitted a combined bid to serve two services. Commissioners debated whether it made fiscal sense to install a large 450 kW unit and whether to wait for FEMA/DES grant confirmation (possible reimbursement rates of 75%–85%). No purchase vote was taken; staff will follow up with grant officials and keep quotes on file.
Commissioners also heard an update on FEMA flood reimbursements and MOUs related to recent flood work; staff expects to close out the 2019 FEMA activity this month and noted the 2020 submission is under federal review.