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Nowthen council approves county JPA for CSAH 22 reconstruction; city share roughly $72,500
Summary
The Nowthen City Council approved a joint-powers agreement with the county to reconstruct County State Aid Highway 22, a project the county says adds safety elements and stormwater treatment; the city's estimated share is about $72,523.36 and staff said payments can be deferred or split to ease budgeting.
The Nowthen City Council voted July 8 to approve a joint-powers agreement (JPA) with the county to reconstruct County State Aid Highway 22 between County Road 64 and County Road 22 in the city of Nowthen.
Assistant county engineer Jerry Roger told the council the project is a reconstruction that widens the footprint to add shoulders and turn lanes, and that a majority of the city’s cost participation is attributable to stormwater treatment required under MS4 regulations. A county design representative (Jeff) said the improvements will treat runoff that now flows untreated to wetlands and will include concrete curb-and-gutter in places to reduce private-property impacts.
Council members pressed whether cost sharing is typical; county staff said reconstruct projects commonly include a city contribution under the county’s cost-participation policy, whereas simple resurfacing historically has not. Several councilors expressed concern about the timing of an estimated city bill of roughly $72,523.36; county staff said the project is scheduled for 2026 and offered payment flexibility — including splitting payments across calendar years or deferring portions to 2026–2027 — to help the city manage its budget.
City Attorney Rupy reviewed the JPA for the council and highlighted a long-term obligation: under the proposed contract the city would be responsible for maintenance of stormwater ponds and infiltration basins created by the project. He also confirmed Shane Nelson, the city engineer (as referenced to the council), supports the project because of the safety improvements it provides.
The mayor called for a motion to approve the JPA; the motion was seconded and the council voted to approve the agreement. County staff said right-of-way acquisition needs to begin soon (acquisition can take about nine months) in order to deliver the project on the proposed schedule.
Council members asked staff to continue to work with the county on payment timing and to ensure the city fully understands long-term maintenance obligations before implementation.
