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Rushford Village tables decision on Safe Routes to School grant after engineering cost concerns
Summary
After an MN DOT final design report estimated construction at $725,000–$870,000, Rushford Village council voted to table a resolution supporting an infrastructure grant application until the village can get estimates for engineering and coordination costs that the grant may not cover.
Acting Mayor Micheal Ebner presided as the Rushford Village Council heard a remote presentation from MnDOT senior engineer Mitchell Kiecker on a proposed Safe Routes to School (SRTS) connection from the Root River bridge to Main Street/Highway 43.
Kiecker presented two primary build options: Project A1, a 10-foot-wide shared-use path with curb and gutter and potential bridge sidewalk work, estimated at $725,000; and Project A2, a 10-foot pedestrian/bike shoulder with rumble strips or raised curb and an optional low-clearance guardrail, estimated at $870,000. Kiecker stressed that “this is not a promise” from MnDOT and that the report is informational, not a construction commitment.
Consultant Derek Olinger (Bolton & Menk) and Rebecca Charles (CEDA) explained the grant opportunity: an infrastructure grant accepting applications through Jan. 17, 2025, that can provide up to $1 million in construction funding. The application would require Fillmore County to act as sponsor and, if awarded, the village would have until April 2025 to decline the grant. Charles said CEDA can prepare and submit the application under its contract.
Council discussion centered on who would pay for costs not covered by the infrastructure grant. Olinger warned that final engineering, coordination and agency plan reviews can add material expense and estimated engineering might run roughly 10–15% of total costs depending on scope; Kiecker and Charles noted engineering in MnDOT right-of-way projects commonly ranges closer to 5–7% but agreed coordination can raise costs. City Attorney Joseph O’Koren flagged language in a draft resolution that could obligate the village to cover all costs beyond the grant amount.
With the funding gap and uncertain engineering fees unresolved, the council voted to table Resolution 2024-11-19 (Support of Safe Routes to School Infrastructure Grant Application) until the Dec. 3 meeting so consultants can provide clearer estimates and Fillmore County can be approached about sponsorship. The village will also need to determine long-term maintenance responsibility (winter plowing) if the path is built. The decision preserves the option to apply later; council members noted the grant opportunity recurs roughly every other year if declined.
