Highway

Taylor County Highway Committee, Regular Meeting December 19, 2023 Taylor County Highway Department Call Meeting to Order: Committee Member Gebauer called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. Members Present: Adams, Brooks, Gebauer, Zenner and Soper - Virtual Members Absent: None Other Attendees: County Board Chairman Jim Metz, Brian Wilson from the Star News, Highway Commissioner Ben Stanfley and Accountant Ashley Harder Motion by Zenner/ Adams and carried to approve the minutes of the October 24, 2023, meeting. Motion by Adams/Gebauer and carried to approve the agenda with 8 items. Cash vouchers and journal vouchers were audited. Motion by Zenner/Adams and carried to approve cash vouchers totaling $1,085,636.48 and journal vouchers totaling $273,334.36. Commissioner Stanfley presented the 2024 State Routine Maintenance Agreement in the amount of $878,200.00. Motion by Adams/Brooks and carried to approve the 2024 State Routine Maintenance Agreement. Commissioner Stanfley presented a petition for bridge aid from the Town of Maplehurst for a culvert replacement on Burma Drive. Motion by Brooks/Adams and carried to approve the replacement in the amount of $29,301 ($14,650.50/county & $14,650.50/town). Commissioner Stanfley updated the committee on the following: • The start of the 2023-2024 winter season has brought in the lowest cost record since 2017. January-May 2023 brought in the highest record cost in the last 10 years. • The Highway department should come in under budget and be able to put some funds into our carryover accounts that will be overdrawn in the future. • New office equipment and internet have been installed at the Rib Lake & Gilman shop. This opens new efficient ways of communicating between shops and eliminates our phone utility bills. • Rib Lake shop came in 1.48% over budget at $3,192,801. Cost not factored in when originally budgeted were engineering cost, land, and utility hookup. • Working on auditing all horizontal curves on county highways and updating our internal policy for signage. Next Committee Meeting: The next regular meeting of the Taylor County Highway Committee will be scheduled for January 16, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. at the Taylor County Highway Department. Adjournment: Motion by Adams/Brooks and carried to adjourn at 09:21 a.m. Respectfully submitted: Taylor County Highway Committee Regular Meeting Taylor County Highway Department October 24, 2023 Call Meeting to Order: Chairman Soper called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. Members Present: Adams, Brooks, Gebauer, Soper and Zenner Members Absent: None Other Attendees: County Board Chairman Jim Metz, Highway Commissioner Ben Stanfley and Accountant Ashley Harder Motion by Gebauer/Adams and carried to approve the minutes of the September 19, 2023, meeting. Motion by Gebauer/Zenner and carried to approve the agenda with 9 items. Cash vouchers and journal vouchers were audited. Motion by Adams/Zenner and carried to approve cash vouchers totaling $1,169,953.54 and journal vouchers totaling $166,035.32. Commissioner Stanfley informed the committee of the upcoming WCHA Winter Road School to be held January 22-24, 2024 in Wisconsin Dells. Jim Metz and Commissioner Stanfley will represent Taylor County. If anyone else wishes to attend, they should contact Ashley by December 8, 2023. Commissioner Stanfley presented to the committee the proposed move of the Ice Age Trail Crossing on Hwy D along the right of way. Motion by Gebauer/Soper and carried to approve the proposed move of the Ice Age Trail Crossing on Hwy D. Commissioner Stanfley presented a petition for bridge aid from the Town of Taft for a culvert replacement on Ness Road, north of Hwy F. Motion by Zenner/Adams and carried to approve the replacement in the amount of $10,955 ($5,477.50/county & $5,477.5O/town). Commissioner Stanfley updated the committee on the following: • Culvert replacement work on CTH O has been completed. • To finish out funds from the DMA, crackfilling/mastic work needs to be completed on State Hwy 64. Looking at renting Mastic machine from Clark County to help fill in larger gaps on the roads in the area. • The new Brine system in Gilman is almost finished, electrical needs to be completed. Fresh water tanks need to be automated. Medford Brine maker still needs a new CPU from lighting strike. • 2024 Patrol trucks have a tentative build date for late February 2024. • Selling the old front-end loader that was used in Rib Lake as well as the one at the Airport. • A reduction in the speed limit was posted by the new shop in Rib Lake. • Grants have been submitted for work needed in the county; CTH C, CTH Q, CTH C Bridge, and CTH D bridge. 10 million dollars in grants were requested for these projects. This would require the county to match 20% if the projects are selected. The county would need to borrow or increase the Highway levy funds due to shortfalls in the budget and being short $200,000 for grants that were already awarded. Next Committee Meeting: The next regular meeting of the Taylor County Highway Committee will be scheduled for November 27, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. at the Taylor County Highway Department. Adjournment: Motion by Soper/Adams and carried to adjourn at 09:28 a.m. Taylor County Highway Committee, Regular Meeting Taylor County Highway Department September 19, 2023 Call Meeting to Order: Chairman Soper called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. Members Present: Adams, Brooks, Gebauer, Soper and Zenner Members Absent: None Other Attendees: Brian Wilson from the Star News, Highway Commissioner Ben Stanfley and Accountant Ashley Harder Motion by Gebauer/Zenner and carried to approve the minutes of the August 22, 2023, meeting. Motion by Brooks/Adams and carried to approve the agenda with 10 items. Cash vouchers and journal vouchers were audited. Motion by Zenner/Adams and carried to approve cash vouchers totaling $737,483.50 and journal vouchers totaling $381,144.49. Commissioner Stanfley presented a petition for bridge aid from the Town of Hammel for a culvert replacement on Clear Lake Road, 0.07 miles north of Perkinstown Ave. Motion by Adams/Zenner and carried to approve the replacement in the amount of $93,896 ($46,948/county & $46,948/town). Commissioner Stanfley presented a petition for bridge aid from the Town of Hammel for a culvert replacement on Perkinstown Ave, 0.27 miles east of Division Dr. Motion by Brooks/Gebauer and carried to approve the replacement in the amount of $29,230 ($14,615/county & $14,615/town). Commissioner Stanfley presented the Amended 2023 Bridge Aid Resolution. Motion by Zenner/Brooks and carried to approve the Amended 2023 Bridge Aid Resolution in the amount of $94,080 and forward the resolution to the Finance Committee. Commissioner Stanfley requested pre -approval of committing to 2 -Single Axle Patrol Trucks from the 2024 Equipment Schedule with a $1,000 down payment for each truck. Motion by Brooks/Adams and carried to approve the down payment in the amount of $1,000/truck. Commissioner Stanfley updated the committee on the following: • The paving of the parking lot for Human Services has been completed with some landscaping work to finish up. There were a lot of base issues with 1,600 tons of recycle placed but should still be under budget. • The paving of the parking lot for Rib Lake Shop has been completed with some landscaping work to finish and the installation of a frost tube. • County is working on the replacement of a culvert on CTH N - Full Road closure, with a detour in place. • Hwy 102 will have a 2-day full closure, with a detour for the replacement of a culvert on Sept 25th & 26th. • The Railroad wants signage updated to CTH B railroad crossing within 30 days. • Paint crew has been working in Clark, Rusk, & Price counties to retrace railroad crossing markings. Railroad crossings must be retraced every 2 years. • The crew has been finishing up with crackfilling and the yearly 1/3 of the county mowing out to the right of way line. Next Committee Meeting: The next regular meeting of the Taylor County Highway Committee will be scheduled for October 24, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. at the Taylor County Highway Department. Adjournment: Motion by Adams/Brooks and carried to adjourn at 09:28 a.m. Respectfully submitted: Ashley Harder Accountant Taylor County Highway Committee, Regular Meeting Taylor County Highway Department August 22, 2023 Call Meeting to Order: Chairman Soper called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. Members Present: Adams, Brooks, Gebauer, Soper and Zenner Members Absent: None Other Attendees: County Board Chairman Jim Metz, Brian Wilson from the Star News, Highway Commissioner Ben Stanfley and Accountant Ashley Harder Motion by Zenner/Adams and carried to approve the amended minutes of the June 26, 2023, meeting. Motion by Zenner/Gebauer and carried to approve the agenda with 13 items. Cash vouchers and journal vouchers were audited. Motion by Adams/Gebauer and carried to approve cash vouchers totaling $1,175,730.66 and journal vouchers totaling $134,118.27. Commissioner Stanfley presented a petition for bridge aid from the Town of Holway for a culvert replacement on Wren Drive, 0.1 miles south of Apple Ave. Motion by Soper/Zenner and carried to approve the replacement in the amount of $13,688 ($6,844/county & $6,844/town). Commissioner Stanfley presented a petit ion for bridge aid from the Town of Holway for a culvert replacement on Wren Drive, 0.1 miles south of CTH 0. Motion by Brooks/Zenner and carried to approve the replacement in the amount of $18,940 ($9,470/county & $9,470/town). The 2023 Bridge Aid Resolution was presented to the committee. Motion by Gebauer/Adams and carried to approve the 2023 Bridge Aid Resolution in the amount of $32,516 and forward the resolution to the Finance Committee. Commissioner Stanfley presented the proposed 2024 Equipment R esolution. Motion by Brooks/Adams and carried to approve the 2024 Equipment Resolution in the amount of $872,000 and forward the resolution to the Finance Committee. Commissioner Stanfley requested approval to purchase a new front -end loader for 2023. Motion by Adams/Gebauer and carried to approve the purchase of new front-end loader. Commissioner Stanfley presented the proposed 2024 Highway Budget. Motion by Zenner/Gebauer and carried to approve the 2024 Highway Budget in the amount of $2,877,572 and forward to the Finance Committee. Commissioner Stanfley requested permission to hire a patrolman due to a recent resignation. Motion by Gebauer/Adams and carried to fill the position. Commissioner Stanfley updated the committee on the following: • Chip sealing has been completed on all roads, with 2 miles for the town of Medford and the Maplehurst town hall parking lot to be completed yet. • LFA State culvert replacement is currently being worked on for 4 culverts, and then will work on RLM culvert repairs/replacements. • The Forestry service projects are now completed and came in under budget with some gravel/grader work left to finish with the remainder of funds. • Working on crack filling for towns and state roads, county roads were done earlier this year. • Closed on the Rib Lake shop building, sold to Steve & Tiffany Hanke on August 11, 2023. • CTH F Bridge for next year is 100% funded by the state • CTH A Bridge got pushed back to 2025 • The binder coat for the Rib Lake sh ops parking lot has been finished. The entrance and 2nd coat will be completed when the plant comes back to Medford. Next Committee Meeting: The next regular meeting of the Taylor County Highway Committee will be scheduled for September 19, 2023 at 9:00 a .m. at the Taylor County Highway Department. Adjournment: Motion by Brooks/Adams and carried to adjourn at 09:51 a.m. Respectfully submitted: Ashley Harder Accountant Taylor County Highway Committee, Regular Meeting Taylor County Highway Department June 26, 2023 Call Meeting to Order: Chairman Soper called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m. Members Present: Gebauer, Brooks, Zenner, and Soper (Adams at 9: 10 a.m.) Other Attendees: Highway Commissioner Ben Stanfley, Accounting Assistant Shari Berg man, and Kirsten Budimlija on behalf of the Rib Lake School District Motion by Zenner/Gebauer and carried to approve the minutes of the May 16, 2023 meeting. Motion by Zenner/Gebauer and carried to approve the agenda with 9 items. Cash vouchers and journal vouchers were audited. Motion by Gebauer/Brooks and carried to approve cash vouchers totaling $1,317,172.53 and journal vouchers totaling $44,623.32. Kirsten Budimlija presented maps and information for the placement of No Parking signs on East side of CTH D in the Village of Rib Lake due to safety concerns during sporting events. Motion by Gebauer/Zenner to approve the No Parking sign request with the County providing the signage. Commissioner Stanfley presented a petition for bridge aid from the Town of Deer Creek for a culvert replacement. Motion by Zenner/Adams and carried to approve the replacement in the amount of $11,173.00 ($5,586.50/county and $5,586.50/town). Commissioner Stanfley presented information relating to the LRIP Pilot Program for 2024-2025 for the northwestern part of the state. Under the pilot program Town Associations and League of Municipalities will administer the TRIP and MSIP Programs instead of the Commissioner. Motion Brooks/ Adams to sign the LRIP Administration Agreement with the WCHA to become part of the program. Commissioner Stanfley updated the committee on the following: • CTH S and H are finished and under budget • Rutwedging is completed since the asphalt plant was already in the area • Currently working on mowing operations • Weed control was sprayed on CTH E, D, M, and 102 with current estimates of being 10% per lane mile less than if it were a mowing operation • Dust control began with a slight issue with a pump, but preliminary numbers look good with a cost-savings to Townships • Will begin the forest service culvert replacement projects and 3-4 Town jobs • Accepted an offer from Hanke Oil for the old Rib Lake Shop in the amount of $155,000.00 with the closing currently scheduled for July 31, 2023. Next Committee Meeting: The next regular meeting of the Taylor County Highway Committee, if needed, will be scheduled for July 18, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at the Taylor County Highway Department. Adjournment: Motion by Gebauer/Adams and carried to adjourn at 10:03 a.m. Respectfully submitted: Shari Bergman Accounting Assistant Taylor County Highway Committee, Regular Meeting Taylor County Highway Department May 16, 2023 Call Meeting to Order: Chairman Soper called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. Members Present: Brooks, Gebauer, Soper, and Zenner Members Absent: Adams Other Attendees: Finance Director Larry Brandl, Highway Commissioner Ben Stanfley, and Accountant Rachel Parks Motion by Zenner/Gebauer and carried to approve the minutes of the April 26, 2023 meeting. Motion by Gebauer/Brooks and carried to approve the agenda with 9 items. Cash vouchers and journal vouchers were audited. Motion by Brooks/Zenner and carried to approve cash vouchers totaling $532, 908.13 and journal vouchers totaling $46,953.92. Commissioner Stanfley informed the committee of the resignation of the Highway Accountant. Motion by Zenner/Gebauer and carried to approve the replacement for that position. Commissioner Stanfley requested approval to allow the Accounting Assistant to work more hours and receive a pay increase during the interim period of hiring a new Highway Accountant. Motion by Zenner/Brooks and carried to support the decision for the Accounting Assistant to work up to 40 hours/week. The amount of the pay increase will be determined by the Finance & Personnel Committee at their next meeting. A resolution for a grade increase for the Highway Commissioner was presented. Motion by Zenner/Brooks and carried to accept the res olution to increase the pay grade for the Tay lor County Highway Commissioner. The resolution will go to the Finance & Personnel Committee for final approval. Commissioner Stanfley updated the committee on the following: • The State requested no more money be spent on their roadways until 7/1/2023. • Reconstruction projects have begun; however, the asphalt plant is delayed, so paving will not begin until after Memorial Day. • Began crackfilling to prep for the chipseal & rutwedge projects. • Testing new herbicide t reatment with plant growth inhibitor that wil l potentially eliminate mowing ditches. • Finishing up the new Gilman Brine System and will need a freshwater tank and pump due to the well pressures. • County is set up for dust control and has three towns interested. Next Committee Meeting: The next regular meeting of the Taylor County Highway Committee will be scheduled for June 26, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. at the Taylor County Highway Department. Adjournment: Motion by Gebauer/Brooks and carried to adjourn at 9:33 a.m. Respectfully submitted: Rachel Parks Accountant Taylor County Highway Committee, Regular Meeting April 26, 2023 Taylor County Highway Department Call Meeting to Order: Chairman Soper called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. Members Present: Adams, Brooks, Gebauer, and Soper Members Absent: Zenner Other Attendees: County Board Chairman Jim Metz, Highway Commissioner Ben Stanfley, Accountant Rachel Parks, and Catherine Lemke (at 10:10 a.m.) Motion by Gebauer/Adams and carried to approve the minutes of the March 21, 2023 meeting. Motion by Brooks/Adams and carried to approve the agenda with 13 items. Cash vouc hers and journal vouchers were audited. Motion by Adams/Gebauer and carried to approve cash vouchers totaling $531,490.79 and journal vouchers totaling $58,255.92. Commissioner Stanfley informed the committee of the upcoming WCHA Summer Road Sch ool to be held June 5 – 7, 2023 in Wisconsin Dells. Jim Metz and Commissioner Stanfley wil l represent Taylor County. If anyone else wi shes to attend, they should contact Rachel by May 5, 2023. Commissioner Stanfley presented a petition for br idge aid from the To wn of Greenwood for a washout culvert replacement on Timber Drive . Disaster Damage Aids, through WisDOT, will reimburse 75% with the county and town paying the remaining 25%. Motion by Brooks/Gebauer and carried to approve the replacement in the amount of $12,918 ($9,688/WisDOT, $1,615/county & $1,615/town). Commissioner Stanfley pres ented a petition for bridge aid from the Town of Rooseve lt for a culvert replacement on Diamond Drive. Mo tion by Brooks/Gebauer and carried to approve the replacement in the amount of $18,590 ($9,295/county & $9,295/town). Commissioner Stanfley informed t he committee on possible options for the sale of the cur rent Rib Lake Highway Shop. Century 21 Dairyland Realty appraised the property between $155,000 - $195,000. Motion by Brooks/Adams and carried to list the property with Century 21 Dairyland Realty and proceed with the sale if the purchase price exceeds $155,000. If the purchase price is less than $155,000, a special committee meeting will be held to discuss options. Commissioner Stanfley updated the committee on the following: • We saw our highest spring part of winter numbers in 10 years. 85% of the winte r budget has already been spent. • Road bans will be lifted Monday, May 1 at 8:00 a.m. • Road construction projects will begin next week on CTH H (CTH S to Polley Ln) and CTH S (CTH H to just before Pine Dr). • Due to high winter numbers, we will try to cut back on county culvert replacements. • We have 8 Forest ry DNR culvert projects, multiple state replaceme nts and several town projects. Meeting recessed at 9:40 a.m. Meeting reconvened at 10:10 a.m. at the new Rib Lake Highway Shop. Committee members toured the new Rib Lake Highway Shop. Next Committee Meeting: The next regular meeting of the Taylor County Highway Committee will be scheduled for May 16, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. at the Taylor County Highway Department. Adjournment: Motion by Gebauer/Adams and carried to adjourn at 10:40 a.m. Secretary: Rachel Parks Taylor County Highway Committee, Regular Meeting March 21, 2023 Taylor County Highway Department Call Meeting to Order: Committee Member Gebauer called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. Members Present: Adams, Gebauer, and Zenner Members Absent: Brooks and Soper Other Attendees: County Board Chairman Jim Metz, Russ Thums, Jimmy Thums, Karie Thums, Brian Wilson from the Star News, Highway Commissioner Ben Stanfley and Accountant Rachel Parks Motion by Zenner/Adams and carried to ap prove the minutes of the December 20 , 2022 meeting. Motion by Zenner/Adams and carried to approve the agenda with 11 items. Cash vouchers and journal vouchers were audited. Motion by Adams/Zenner and carried to approve cash vouchers totaling $1,918,806.46 and journal vouchers totaling $372,329.08. Representatives from Jimmy T rucking LLC were present to re quest permission to travel , while roads are posted on CTH E, for one mile, from Brook Drive to STH 64. After much discussion, his permit application for 10 loads a week was denied and a motion was made to allow Ben to work with them regarding load weight restriction s and the number of loads per week. Motion by Zenner/Adams and carried. Commissioner Stanfley informed the committee on the availability of a STP Local Grant for a mill and overlay of CTH Q, for one m ile, from CTH M to Perkinstown Avenue. The co unty portion of payment would be approx. $197,000 , with a potential savings of $75,000 by submitting it in th e program, rather than the county doing the work. Motion by Adams/Zenner and carried for Ben to pursue the grant. Commissioner Stanfley informed the commit tee of the upcoming WCHA West Central Meeting on May 4, 2023 in Pierce County. Ben will attend and represent Taylor County. Commissioner Stanfley presented his recommendations for bid quotations recei ved on variou s construction materials, including hot mix asphalt for CTH H (CHI). Motion by Adams/Zenner and carried to approve the hot mix asphalt low bi d from American Asph alt for CTH H (CHI) and all other bids as recommended by the highway commissioner. Commissioner Stanfley presented the committee with t he updated WCHA Utility Accommodation Policy. Motion by Zenner/Adams and carried to adopt the most recent update for Taylor County highways. Commissioner Stanfley updated the committee on the following: • Asphalt prices are up 6% - 7% from last year and up 29% from the start of the pandemic. • 2/3 of our 2023 winter budget has been spent. • The bridge rehab reports have been re ceived from Mead & Hunt. They recommend 3 bridges be replaced and one be re-decked. • All the scoping meetings for Local Bridge Projects and STP-Rural Projects will be finished this week for the upcoming projects in Taylor County. • The new Rib Lake shop will be substantially completed by the end of March. Next Committee Meeting: The next regular meeting of the Taylor County Highway Committee will be scheduled for April 25, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. at the Taylor County Highway Department. Adjournment: Motion by Adams/Zenner and carried to adjourn at 10:12 a.m. Secretary: Rachel Parks