Williston City Engineer Monte Meiers told the commission about an upcoming proposed federal aid project for 2010, an overlay for a section of County Road 5.
Meiers explained that as of right now there is still work being done on the new Federal Highway Bill, which has lapsed following a 30-day extension that expired Oct. 31. Because of this, he said the money for the project, currently estimated at $1.3 million, might not be available right away.
Meiers said one option for the commission was they could get the money lined up themselves through their own funds if they wanted to, then get reimbursed by the government at a later date.
"You could do that and then wait until you get reimbursement from the Federal government through the state. But if you don't have the $1.3 million, then it's a non-issue," said Meiers. Commission Chair Dan Kalil said paying for it themselves and waiting wasn't really something he thought very highly of doing.
"I would be very hesitant to scrape up the money for this and sit around waiting for a check from the Federal government," said Kalil.
Meiers said he understood the concern. Conversation briefly turned to the status of completing a new Highway Bill. Meiers and the commission agreed that there likely would be a new bill in the not too distant future. Everyone was also in agreement that since 2010 is an election year, legislators will definitely have one in place before too long.
Commissioner Don Arnson said the section of road being discussed, near Grenora, was definitely in need of being dealt with.
"It's just steady by Grenora. There's lots of truck traffic," said Arnson.
Discussion turned to the importance of getting the project done this year and what their options were.
Highway Superintendent Dennis Nelson said they could just simply delay the project a bit and wait and see when federal dollars become available. He said giving it some extra time to get going shouldn't be too big of a problem.
"You might even know by the first of the year," said Nelson.
A motion was made to approve their program sheet listing their intended projects to the North Dakota Department of Transportation, with an amendment stating that they're going to wait for federal funds to proceed.
The motion passed unanimously by a four votes to none margin.
In an unrelated matter, Meiers also showed the commission a proposal for a Special Road Fund project for 2010.
Meiers explained that this project was a nearly one mile stretch of County Road 5 used by the public as the entrance road to the Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Area. He said the road is also used by the oil industry to service several wells in the surrounding area.
"The estimated cost for the project is $120,000; our match would be in the $48,000 range if we applied for it," said Meiers.
Meiers said he wasn't sure if it was listed in the 2010 budget, but it had been mentioned at budget hearings as a potential project for the coming year.
In other business, the commission:
Approved a Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan submitted by Williams County Disaster Emergency Services director Mike Hallesy. The plan was approved unanimously.
Approved a renewal of their Detention Service Agreement with the county. The renewal extends the agreement until Dec. 31, 2010 at the current per diem rate of $182.85 one person per day. The agreement was approved unanimously.
Voted to re-appoint Vicki Liesner and David Montgomery to the Northwest Human Service Center Advisory Council. Both were voted to be re-appointed by a three-votes to none margin, with Commissioner Montgomery abstaining.
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