PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE
Monday, February 5, 2007
Administrative Center Room 3220
4:00 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Charles Spiker, Leon Pfaff, Ralph Geary, Andrea Richmond, Jeffrey Schroeder (exc @4:37), and Jai Johnson (arr @4:04)
MEMBERS EXCUSED: Jim Berns
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF & GUESTS: Dennis Osgood, Keith Back, Mary Kaufmann, Gary Ingvalson, Bill Shepherd, Erroll Kindschy, Pat Druug, Sharon Hampson, and Cheryl Stephen
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Charles Spiker called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION by Pfaff/Richmond to approve committee meeting minutes of January 8, 2007. Motion carried unanimously; Berns excused; Johnson absent.
CONSENT AGENDA
MOTION by Geary/Schroeder to receive and place on file the following Consent Agenda items:
Jeff Schroeder largest construction projects in 2007 are the Marquette Interchange and making Hwy 41 an Interstate; possible increases of 1.5% in various transportation budgets; Safe Routes to School Program grant w/$8 million available w/75-25 cost share; trucking industry wants higher weight limits legislators listening to the industry vs. highway departments; if LLCs install pollution control systems, could be exempt from property taxes legislators need to get involved.
Leon Pfaff in addition, big concern that the Governor does not take highway funds to help balance his budget; the logging industry is pushing the increase in weight limits.
Dennis Osgood Act 167 (weight limit increase) coming back to the locals and 1/3 of the County bridges will have to be posted as they cannot handle that additional weight currently not allowed on Interstates/federal highways; setting up a committee to get this legislation reversed.
Chairman Spiker noted a resolution was passed by the County in opposition of this weight increase; need to continually work with local legislators and make the news media aware.
Motion carried unanimously; Berns excused.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None requested.
APPROVE CHECK REQUISITIONS/PURCHASE ORDERS OVER $20,000
Dennis Osgood distributed information re check requisitions to be paid in February, 2007. MOTION by Pfaff/Geary to approve the following two payments:
Page 2 Public Works and Infrastructure Committee Minutes of February 5, 2007
Supervisor Richmond questioned the salt purchase and feasibility of bidding with other municipalities. Dennis Osgood noted this purchase was based on bid price for the County; the state contract was for the salt that goes into the dome. Motion carried unanimously; Berns excused.
LAKEVIEW FARMLAND EXTENSION OF LEASE
Mary Kaufmann reviewed, noting this as an extension of current lease with farmer Arlan Stello that is due to expire February 28, 2008. Per the lease agreement, there is an option to renew the lease for an additional 3 years; current price is $163/acre; research shows this as a good price. MOTION by Schroeder/Pfaff to approve the extension of the Lakeview farmland lease with Arlan Stello for an additional 3 years ending February 28, 2011. Supervisor Pfaff agreed with the price per acre. Mary noted lease acreage of approximately 240 acres (plus or minus). Motion carried unanimously; Berns excused.
RESOLUTION RE APPROVAL OF TEMPORARY LEASE WITH SKIPPERLINER INDUSTRIES, INC.
Bill Shepherd reviewed. He noted this lease agreement with SkipperLiner has taken place each year since 2003. City of La Crosse is in the process of working with a developer; the City Fire Dept. has noted some deficiencies that need to be corrected, and the City is requesting no major renovations unless approved by the County. MOTION by Schroeder/Richmond to approve the resolution which allows SkipperLiner to operate the Bikini Yacht Club Deck during the 2007 season expiring on October 31, 2007. Concern expressed regarding lease price of $1,000 being too low. Pointed out that SkipperLiner is responsible for mowing the grass, picking up the trash, and paying for utilities (water & electric). This revenue goes into the Park Plaza budget, but if unused, it reverts back to the General Fund. Motion carried unanimously; Berns excused.
RESOLUTION RE APPROVAL OF LEASE WITH WEST SALEM HISTORICAL SOCIETY, INC.
MOTION by Pfaff/Richmond to approve the resolution which leases approximately 2.5 acres between State Highways 16 and 108 and Lake Neshonoc Dam to the West Salem Historical Society for charge of $1 for 25 years. This is for placement of the Palmer/Lewis Octagon House which needs to be removed from the Evenson Development. The Society will be responsible for necessary land improvements and maintenance. Supervisor Geary questioned liability insurance; Bill said he would include the indemnification clause in the lease agreement. Motion carried unanimously; Berns excused.
RESOLUTION RE APPROVAL OF SEWER UTILITY SERVICE EASEMENT REQUEST BY THE VILLAGE OF WEST SALEM AND COST SHARE AGREEMENT
Mary Kaufmann said the Facilities Dept. has budgeted for construction of new bathhouse/shower facility including connection to West Salems sanitary sewer which was approved by the Village Board. Silky LLC would also like to connect to same sanitary sewer and is willing to cost share with the County and the Village. Bill Shepherd reviewed; it is a public sewer utility and the easement will be maintained by the Village of West Salem. The estimated total cost for this portion of the sanitary sewer is $78,417, of which $36,679 is County cost, $36,679 Silky LLC cost, and $5,060 Village cost. Patrick Drugg (Silky LLC), 1054 Gale Drive, Wisconsin Dells, was present to answer any questions. MOTION by Geary/Richmond to approve the resolution. Motion carried unanimously; Berns and Schroeder excused.
Page 3 Public Works and Infrastructure Committee Minutes of February 5, 2007
APPROVE RFP FOR TRAILER MOUNTED BRUSH CHIPPER
Dennis Osgood reviewed. A review team of five employees reviewed the one RFP submitted by Vermeer, Inc., that included trade or no trade pricing; another bid came in, but was 20 minutes late so that was returned unopened. Evaluation criteria was based on the following: cost (40%), specifications (33%), safety (15%), and service and delivery (14%). There is 5-year extended warranty on drum and other parts at no extra cost. Vermeer offered $6,500 for trade in, but a broker thinks he can get $8,500 but will charge a fee of about 10%. MOTION by Pfaff/Johnson to approve purchase of a trailer mounted brush chipper from Vermeer Inc, model BC1800XL at a cost of $38,767 paid from the Machinery Fund with no trade in, and approve the sale of the old brush chipper by the broker with funds being returned to the Machinery Fund. Motion carried unanimously; Berns and Schroeder excused.
RENTAL AGREEMENT TO RENT TRACTOR AND MOWER FROM LA CROSSE COUNTY SNOWMOBILE ALLIANCE
Dennis Osgood reviewed. The La Crosse County Snowmobile Alliance is planning to purchase a new tractor and mower for grooming their snowmobile trails, and to help offset the cost, and they would like to rent the equipment to the County Highway Dept. during the summer months; this would help offset their expenses for the equipment. This is done in other counties Monroe and Juneau. Denny noted this as beneficial to the County as the County equipment is old (1987). The Alliance has offered a negotiated rental contract at $6,400/year for the next two years for up to 200 hours, and $32/hr. beyond that. This in turn will be billed to the State Dept. of Transportation and they will reimburse the County. MOTION by Richmond/Johnson to approve the rental agreement to rent a tractor and mower from La Crosse County Snowmobile Alliance at the negotiated price of $6,400/year for years 2007 and 2008 for up to 200 hours usage and $32 per hour thereafter, including the billing and reimbursement by the State DOT. Motion carried unanimously; Berns and Schroeder excused.
DESIGN CONTRACT FOR BRIDGE ON COUNTY ROAD B
Dennis Osgood reviewed noting any bridge over 20 feet long in La Crosse County is eligible for federal bridge replacement dollars. The bridge project is east of West Salem on County Road B; the bridge is 32 long and was built in 1945; it meets replacement criteria at 80/20 cost share. The contract is for third-party design engineering services contract between La Crosse County, Ayres Associates Inc., and State Dept. of Transportation for a cost of $37,688. A review panel chose Ayres Assoc. and their cost of services was reviewed by a local program consultant for the DOT; Corporation Counsel and DOT have approved the contract per content. MOTION by Richmond/Pfaff to approve Ayes Associates Inc. for third-party design engineering services in amount of $37,688 Project ID #5075-07-00. Motion carried unanimously; Berns and Schroeder excused.
REQUEST TO EXTEND 45 MPH ON COUNTY ROAD M/BARRE MILLS NORTH TO LOGING ROAD
Copies of letter and petition were sent with the agenda. Local citizens and the Barre Town Board want the speed limit of 55 MPH reduced to 45 MPH on a stretch of County Road M. This would be north of Barre Mills on M starting at the current 45 MPH and extending north to Loging Road, and Dennis would like to extend it another 670 feet beyond Loging Road for safety reasons. MOTION by Richmond/Geary to approve the reduction of speed limit from 55 to 45 MPH on County Road M north of Barre Mills as noted above and as recommended by the Highway Commissioner. Motion carried unanimously; Berns and Schroeder excused.
Page 4 Public Works and Infrastructure Committee Minutes of February 5, 2007
OVERVIEW AND BACKGROUND ON THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT MACHINERY FUND
Committee Chairman Spiker requested this on the agenda as informational to committee members. Information was sent with the agenda. Dennis went on to review the Machinery Fund. It is funded by monies received from monetary rates that are charged for each piece of equipment used on a project; these funds are then used for equipment purchases or repairs. The Wisconsin County Highway Association and the State DOT work together and determine rental rates for each piece of equipment; Keith Back currently serving on that committee. These rates are charged for all projects, including those for DOT, other counties, other municipalities and our own County projects. Most counties have Machinery Funds, and if not, they have to go to their County Board for funds to purchase equipment. Rates will be going up 10% but this will make it more difficult to be competitive. Noted that the County Board could take dollars from this fund if needed, but this has not been past practice; bank interest on the account goes to the County General Fund.
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Richmond/Johnson to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously; Berns and Schroeder excused. The meeting adjourned at 5:12 p.m.
Disclaimer: The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.
Cheryl Stephen, Recorder