It’s going to be a busy road construction season in Douglas County this year, but potentially not as disruptive as in 2023. County Engineer and Public Works Director Tim Erickson explained the 5-year plan during a public hearing at the start of the Douglas County Board meeting held February 15.
Erickson explained the county manages more than 500 miles of roads. Two hundred and fifty of those miles are on what’s called the state aid system and are referred to as County State Aid Highways or CSAHs. All of the proposed 2024 projects are on CSAHs but a variety of funding formulas will be used to pay for the projects which include: grading on CSAH 4 south of Lake Mary, initial surfacing and grading on CSAH 8 from CSAH 40 to CSAH 7 in the central part of the county, reconstruction of CSAH 9 from CSAH 82 north through downtown Nelson and a possible roundabout on CSAH 46 and CSAH 82 which is east of downtown Alexandria. Commissioners approved the 5-year construction plan which runs from 2024 through 2028.
Commissioners also approved supporting a Safe Routes to School grant for the Osakis Public Schools. These funds will be used to build a trail between the school and the athletic complex.
A big moment at the meeting came next when the Alexandria Rotary Club presented the county with a check for $45,000. These funds will be used to build a picnic shelter next to the playground at Lake Brophy County Park. The shelter will provide a way to escape the sun while enjoying a beautiful view of the lake and park. The rotary worked tirelessly to raise those funds by holding three concerts at Lake Brophy Park in 2023. The plan is to hold four concerts this year.
There will also once again be concerts on the courthouse lawn. The Douglas County courthouse is located at 305 8th Avenue West in Alexandria. Chuck Wencl, Program Director with the Red Willow Arts Coalition, presented the commissioners with an agreement to use the county property for Thursday evening concerts starting May 23 and ending August 22.
Douglas County has selected the contractors to construct a Boat and Water Building. This building will be located near Public Works and will house equipment for the Sheriff’s Office and the Land and Resource Management Department. The equipment needs to be stored in a safe and secure location. It is used to protect residents and visitors on the water and combat the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species.
Jeff Linn, from the Douglas Area Trails Association, asked for and was given permission to apply for a grant to purchase a skid loader for maintenance of the trail, which is 368 miles of groomed snowmobile trails, 36 of which are the multi-use Central Lakes trail. The county will be required to provide 25% of the total project cost.
Land and Resource Management Director Dave Rush presented commissioners with a number of plats and Conditional Use Permits. Most of the time was spent explaining a project from DOB Properties LLC which was requesting a permit to allow a nine-unit Planned United Development (PUD) in Carlos Township. Each of the nine buildings would be purchased individually and the surrounding property is shared through an association. Access to them will be off CSAH 42. The proposal was first reviewed and approved by the county Planning Advisory Commission. According to the application, the units will be used for personal storage, hobby and recreational activity, or light commercial use and will be supplied with electric, water, and connected to sewer.
A new aggregate pit was also approved. It will be located in Lund Township and will be used for aggregate mining and storage and processing of recycled concrete and tree debris/mulch. A loader and screener will remain on the property from March through December. The hours of operation will be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The pit will be accessed from CSAH 5 and people in that area can expect 30 trucks per day. The property is zoned agricultural.
The next county board meeting will be held March 5.