Commissioners review projects with county highway engineer

By Jake Keohen

The Le Sueur County commissioners reviewed a list of present and future projects involving the highway department with Engineer Darrell Pettis at their regular meeting held Tuesday, Sept. 7 at the courthouse in Le Center.

Pettis reports to the county board on a monthly basis, updating the commissioners on the numerous activities of his department.

Reports on construction and design projects included:

2002— CSAH 60 (1st Ave. S.E. in New Prague), grade and surface, complete and waiting on final report.

2003—CR 142 Phase I completed south of North Ridge Estates development in Montgomery, with Phase II extension of another 1,200 feet to begin; CSAH 26 from Highway 13-21 west in Montgomery complete.

2004—Several bridge projects on hold because of no bonding bill by legislature; CSAH 16 and 19 CIR (cold in place recycling) projects underway; CSAH 26 (Boulevard Ave.) in Montgomery from railroad tracks to CSAH 3 (Fifth St.) progressing well, with curb, gutter and sidewalks going in (Oak Ave. detour currently closed for railroad crossing replacement, but should be open by Thursday, Sept. 9).

2005—Projects include CSAH 15/46/13 at Cleveland and CSAH 11 CIR.

Other major items discussed by Pettis included:

— CSAH 28 project from Highway 13 north of Montgomery to Rice County line was scheduled for a groundbreaking/ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday, Sept. 8 at 5 p.m. at CSAH 2 and Highway 19 near Lonsdale.

— CSAH 28 (St. Paul Hill) project near Le Sueur will have delays because of discovery of sewer lines near the road and no records of installation available. City of Le Sueur or MnDOT will pay approximately $60,000 for necessary work.

— An open house concerning the Scott CSAH 15/Le Sueur County 144 planning study has been scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 21 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the Lanesburgh Township Hall between Montgomery and New Prague.

— A project information meeting concerning CSAH 15/46/13 at Cleveland is set for Thursday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. in Cleveland City Hall.

— Responding to a request to replace yield signs with stop signs at intersection of CR 110 and 114 south Le Center, the board asked Pettis to research further into the situation and report back.

— Looking into reinforcing CSAH 3 bridge south of Kilkenny, which has been recommended for load postings by engineers.

The county board also—

• Adopted a revised well ordinance following presentation by Lisa Davies of environmental services.

• Approved recommendations of Peggy Donovan, personnel coordinator, to accept the resignation of Diana Kim Puchta as a management information systems technician and hire Melanie Chambers as a full-time jailer/dispatcher in the sheriff's department.

• Accepted the annual report from UNIMIN for mining operations at Ottawa and Kasota. Both plants will have $1.9 million reclamation bonds. The board also accepted a $7,500 annual donation from UNIMIN to the Le Sueur County Historical Society.

• Approved contracts for budgeted items presented by Jim McMillen, maintenance supervisor, for roof inspection and work on courthouse entrance canopy.

• Received preliminary figures for the 2005 budget from County Auditor Ron Germscheid. The preliminary budget and levy must be approved at next week's meeting.