County Board Meeting April 16, 2024
Posted: 04/18/2024
Author: Julie Anderson
Category: County Board, Departments
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Road construction work in Douglas County can now move forward after commissioners approved bids for two grading projects and overall county paving work in 2024. The bids were awarded at the April 16 meeting. John Riley Construction will do the grading work on County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 4 just south of Lake Mary and Lake Andrew. They were the low bid. Dennis Drewes Inc. out of Frazee was the low bidder on the CSAH 8 project which is in the southwest area of the county. Central Specialties won the bid for the 2024 paving projects.
Park Superintendent Brad Bonk asked commissioners to approve a permit for a major mountain bike competition at Lake Brophy County Park in August. The Minnesota Cycling Association is hosting an event for 1,200 student athletes in grades 6 – 12 from across Minnesota. Thousands of spectators are also expected at that event. Commissioners approved the permit.
Land and Resource Management
Decisions made by the Planning and Advisory Commission were affirmed by commissioners for the following proposed projects. The board approved a preliminary plat for an 18 lot (nine with lakeshore) development on Lake Rachel in Holmes City Township, and a conditional use permit for Tye Courneya to allow an auto, marine and diesel repair and service business with outdoor storage on Algonquin Trails in LaGrand Township. Commissioners upheld the denial of a conditional use permit to Lance Bailey, owner of Lake Carlos Marina. He had asked for a permit to allow storage of watercraft and lakeshore equipment on a lot in Carlos Township. The Planning Advisory Commission heard from neighbors who testified the proposed use would reduce the value of their homes.
Douglas County Feedlot Coordinator Mark Koep provided the board with his required annual report. He said feedlot numbers are up slightly from the prior two years. There are now 262 feedlots that are required to be registered in the county. He reported no major issues with any of the feedlots and Land and Resource Management Director Dave Rush said Koep does a great job and works well with the producers in the county.
The next board meeting is on May 7. All meetings are in the boardroom located at 821 Cedar Street in Alexandria.