The possibility of a state government shutdown was examined at Tuesday’s Mower County Board of Commissioners’ meeting.

Wednesday, June 27, 2001

The possibility of a state government shutdown was examined at Tuesday’s Mower County Board of Commissioners’ meeting.

Craig Oscarson, county coordinator, updated the commissioners on the latest news from St. Paul as well as the protests going on around the state at various state and federal government facilities.

Oscarson recommended the commissioners be prepared to hold emergency meetings with department heads if a compromise budget plan is not approved by legislators, forcing the state to close some government services.

Oscarson also discussed the county board’s options if a government shutdown occurs.

The commissioners listened intently and told Oscarson to keep them apprised of any developments.

The possibility of a shutdown also forced a different response to requests from Michael Hanson, county engineer.

Hanson recommended the commissioners approve the low bid of Minnowa Construction Company to replace a bridge in Section 19, Racine Township.

The firm bid $64,470 to replace the bridge over Carey’s Creek. However, because it is a county-state aid project, dependent in part upon the state picking up a share of the costs, the commissioners approved the firm’s low bid with a contingency: the awarding of the contract is subject to the availability of state funds.

Also Tuesday, the county board approved the acquisition of a house along Highway14 that is in the new, expanded right-of-way.

The county will pay the homeowner $65,000 for the house and expects to spend another $4,000 to have the home site demolished.

Highway 14 is being widened and regraded this summer. The roadbed will be allowed to "set" for another year and will not be paved until 2003.

The county board’s action is contingent upon the availability of state funds for the county-state aid project.

Miller: ‘Who pays?’

According to Richard P. Cummings, 1st District county commissioner, Dave Forland, owner of the popular Old Mill Inn along 244th Street near Ramsey Golf Course wants to expand.

Forland’s plans include adding a handicapped accessibility ramp that would intrude further into the roadway’s right-of-way it already does.

Forland has suggested curb and guttering and a storm sewer along the roadway in front of his residence.

According to Cummings, who relayed the request, the improvements would help "traffic safety."

Presently, diners park diagonally on the east side of 244th St. in front of the restaurant and use parallel parking on the other, which faces Forland-owned property on the west side.

"It’s a private enterprise. This has nothing to do with traffic safety," said Len Miller, 4th District county commissioner. "Who’s going to pay for the curb and gutter and storm sewer? The county?"

"That’s very true," said Cummings. "It is his business, but it is a county road and our responsibility."

County Engineer Hanson said the northwest corner of the restaurant already rests inside the roadway’s right-of-way.

Cummings said Forland cannot expand in any other direction, because the Cedar River and Ramsey Dam owned by Hormel Foods Corporation restrict that to the north.

"Why not provide private parking for the restaurant on his own property across the road?" asked Ray Tucker, 2nd District county commissioner.

Garry Ellingson, 5th District county commissioner, said there could be traffic hazards for people walking across the roadway to the restaurant.

Miller persisted. "Who pays for all of this?" he asked a second time. "Do we really gain much in terms of public safety if we continue to allow him parking in the right-of-way?"

"We gain nothing," said Miller, answering his own question.

Hanson said, he recommends not allowing any parking anywhere in the right-of-way of a roadway. "If you do, in this case, you may have to move the road to accommodate the parking needs of the restaurant," he said.

"Well, we just spent $65,000 to buy a house that is in the middle of the right-of-way over at LeRoy (the Highway 14 project), so what’s the difference?" said Tucker.

The board agreed to inspect the Old Mill Supper Club roadway dilemma with the county engineer before making a decision.

Cummings said, Forland will to the Mower County Board of Adjustment to seek a variance from the county’s right-of-way zoning ordinance.

That could come as early as July.

In other action, the county board:

n Amended the court interpreter/county multi-cultural coordinator budget. It was reduced from $11,680 to $10,880 with training, travel and computer equipment trimmed.

– Referred a request for a security door and panic buttons in the Mower County Public Health Nursing Service office to the building committee for a recommendation.

Possible paving this year:

Also, Tuesday, the county board agreed to move up the paving of the final two-and-one-half miles of Mower County No. 1, depending on the availablility of state funds.

Like other projects, CSAHs No. 6 and 20 as well as the current Highway14 projects, after regrading a roadway the county highway department prefers allowing the new roadbed to "set" for one who year before paving.

However, Brookside Campgrounds along the Cedar River and off U.S. Highway 218, has felt handicapped by the county’s handling of the County No. 1 work.

The roadway on either side of the campgrounds is still crushed rock and not inviting to motorhomes and recreation vehicles seeking a camping spot.

Call Lee Bonorden at 434-2232 or e-mail him at lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com.