County gets state funds for bridges

Talk about it

WORTHINGTON — A pair of bridges in eastern Nobles County that have created problems for overweight and over-width loads for the past several months are finally on the docket to be replaced this summer.

During his report to the Nobles County Board of Commissioners Tuesday morning, Public Works Director Stephen Schnieder said leftover funds from the state-aid allotment will come to the county to help fund the replacement of a bridge on County State Aid Highway 14 west of Brewster, and one on County State Aid Highway 1 south of Brewster, which was reduced to one lane last fall after a portion of it collapsed under the weight of a road milling machine.

Schnieder said the state is providing $330,000, with $157,000 designated for the CSAH 14 bridge and $173,000 for the CSAH 1 bridge. The bridges will be replaced with pre-cast concrete structures.

“We’re very fortunate that they were able to come together with a little more money,” said Schnieder. The money will cover only about half of the total construction costs for the projects.

On Tuesday, Schnieder received permission from the county board to advertise for bids for the projects. Bids will be opened on June 20, and likely approved by commissioners at their June 21 meeting. After that, Schnieder said it will likely take up to three weeks for the pipe to be manufactured.

“Then we figure it’s about two weeks per project,” said Schnieder. “We’re going to give them about 20 working days to get going.”

He anticipates work will begin in mid-July and be completed by early August.

“Everybody views this as a high priority bridge,” said Commissioner Marv Zylstra of the bridge on CSAH 14. “Anything we can do to speed up the process, let’s see if we can get this thing done.”

In other action, the board:

* Discussed once again the need for a building to house the Southwestern Mental Health offices in Nobles County. At this time, staff members are working from three different facilities in Worthington. One of those is located on the Sanford Medical Center property, and the hospital wants the mental health offices relocated.

Nobles County Administrator Mel Ruppert is slated to meet with SWMHC director Scott Johnson later this week to discuss building plans and financing for the capital project. New offices would be built on the former Central School site in downtown Worthington, adjacent to the new Unity House that was completed earlier this year.

* Approved a resolution establishing a county health and human services board, to consist of the five county commissioners, and an advisory board, to be represented by 15 individuals consisting of users, providers, a representative from community corrections and community members. Commissioner David Benson voted against the resolution, recommending “strongly” that the organizational chart for the agency include equal deputy directors representing health and human services.

* Received an annual update from Dennis Healy of Lincoln-Pipestone Rural Water regarding the progress of hooking customers into the recently completed rural water project in Nobles County.

Healy said LPRW recorded a $1.1 million operating loss in 2010, with $322,000 in net operating revenue, for a net loss of $780,000. He told commissioners he would like to finish hook-ups into the pipeline this year.

“I wish everybody who wanted water would sign up so we know where we’re going and when we’re finishing,” he said. “We will continue to hook up new customers as long as we’ve got dollars in the budget.”

Healy said the average customer of LPRW uses approximately 14,000 gallons per month — that includes the 213 large users, who use more than 1 million gallons of water per year.

“The livestock industry is definitely heavier in this area than the rest of the area,” Healy said. “If we exclude the large users, the average bill for … customers is $40 per month.”

* Granted approval for the city of Adrian to cross the county’s property easement to install new utility lines, but requested the city install their lines along the western-most and northern-most area of the property line.

* Approved a two-year maintenance agreement with the Minnesota Department of Transportation to provide snow and ice removal on Minnesota 264 between Round Lake and Brewster.

* Authorized the public works department to advertise for bids for pavement marking services. As in previous years, Nobles County will combine with Rock, Jackson and Cottonwood counties for striping services to get a better rate. Bid opening will be 1:40 p.m. June 20.

* Approved a parade permit for Brewster to close County State Aid Highways * and 14 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. July 16, for the Brewster Fun Days parade.

* Authorized a credit card for an investigator with the Nobles County Sheriff’s Department.

* Approved a proclamation as presented by Emergency Management Director Emily Cenzano recognizing May 15-21 as Emergency Medical Services Week. Cenzano sent certificates of appreciation to all of the county fire departments, EMS and ambulance services.

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