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Douglas County commissioners approve trail contract, insurance broker switch and multiple permits
Summary
At its regular meeting the Douglas County Board approved awarding a McKay Avenue trail contract to Joe Riley Construction, authorized a change in the county’s health-insurance agent of record, approved plats and permits, accepted two donations including $5,000 for the K-9 program, and voted to keep the Kensington rail crossing open.
The Douglas County Board of Commissioners on Friday approved a series of resolutions and land-use items, awarded a contract for a multi-use trail, and moved into a closed session to discuss possible roadway acquisitions.
County Coordinator Lee Cats asked the board to approve changing the county’s agent of record for its health insurance to North Risk Partners so staff could explore self-insured plan options. “The reason for this move would be primarily to obtain a broker that has some good experience with self-insured models,” Cats said; the board voted to approve the change.
Public Works Director Tim Ericson recommended awarding the construction contract for SP0210905, a 10-foot multi-use trail on McKay Avenue extending north from the Central Lakes Trail, to Joe Riley Construction. Ericson told commissioners bids came in higher than an engineer’s estimate prepared in February and noted in passing, “we were not at war with an OPEC nation,” as part of explaining recent fuel and materials price volatility. Ericson said the overrun is eligible for state aid (gas tax funding). The board approved the award so crews can begin work and complete the trail before the school year starts.
On land-use matters, the board approved a two-lot final plat for Oakidge First Edition (Ida Township), a 10-lot preliminary plat for Branch Beach Second Edition (Mo Township) with six conditions related to turnaround and drainage, and a conditional-use permit for Dob Properties (Carass Township) for indoor storage of watercraft and related outdoor storage with seven recommended conditions (setbacks, screening, lighting limits and noxious-weed controls).
Sheriff Troy Wilbur presented two donations: $50 from Tom Hassi, proposed for the departmental fitness room, and a $5,000 anonymous gift designated for the county’s K-9 program. The board approved both donations under resolutions 2648 and 2649.
Auditor-Treasurer Vicki Dolan brought forward raffle approvals for the American Cancer Society (July 10 at Next Stop Home Care; resolution 2650) and Heart of the Lakes Ducks Unlimited Chapter 286 (June 23 at Alexandria Shooting Park; resolution 2651); both were approved.
Commissioners also discussed a railroad proposal to close the Central Avenue (County State Aid Highway 151) crossing in Kensington. After noting community opposition and meetings with the city council, Commissioner Rap moved that the county “leave the railroad crossing open and per the wishes of the community of Kensington”; the motion passed. Commissioners asked Public Works to coordinate with the railroad on drainage and culvert requests.
Under “items from the floor,” commissioners discussed a township request to consider paving Pike Road (a township route providing access to the transfer station) because increased traffic has raised maintenance needs. Township cost-share was not specified; county staff will gather cost estimates and invite township representatives to a future work session.
The board approved county bills totaling $16,123,638.98 and then voted to move into a closed session under Minnesota Statute section 13D.05, subd. 3(c) to discuss offers related to possible county purchases of parcels on County Road 23.
Votes at a glance - Resolution 26-48 (Lake Brophy Park Trail Armoring): approved (roll call recorded as unanimous among commissioners present). - Resolution 2648 (donation $50 to fitness room): approved (unanimous roll call). - Resolution 2649 (donation $5,000 to K-9 program): approved (unanimous roll call). - Agent-of-record change for county health insurance to North Risk Partners: approved (unanimous roll call). - License approval (excavation company): approved (unanimous roll call). - Final plat — Oakidge First Edition: approved (unanimous roll call). - Preliminary plat — Branch Beach Second Edition: approved with six conditions (unanimous roll call). - Conditional use permit — Dob Properties: approved with seven conditions (unanimous roll call). - Resolution 2650 (American Cancer Society raffle): approved (unanimous roll call). - Resolution 2651 (Ducks Unlimited raffle): approved (unanimous roll call). - Bills totaling $16,123,638.98: approved (unanimous roll call). - Contract award SP0210905 to Joe Riley Construction: approved (unanimous roll call). - Motion to keep Kensington (CSA 151) rail crossing open: approved (unanimous roll call). - Resolution 2652 (Lake Brophy Park grant application update): approved (unanimous roll call). - Motion to move into closed session under Minn. Stat. §13D.05, subd. 3(c): approved (unanimous roll call).
Why this matters The meeting advanced several infrastructure projects (the McKay Avenue multi-use trail and a grant-backed trail-armoring application) and approved land-use items that affect future development and shoreline access. The board’s decision to keep the Kensington crossing open responded to local opposition and preserves current traffic patterns while flagging needed drainage work. The closed session indicates the county is exploring real-estate acquisitions on County Road 23.
What’s next Staff will finalize contract documents with Joe Riley Construction and continue grant and plat-recording work. County staff will obtain cost estimates and invite Carlos Township representatives to a recommended work session on Pike Road. The closed session will be followed by any required public disclosures or subsequent formal actions as allowed by state law.
