The Official Newspaper for Foster County
The Official Newspaper for Foster County
Meeting Garrison Diversion Pipeline Project representatives again to discuss a blading contract, the Foster County Commission sought help from Foster County State's Attorney Kara Brinster.
During their last meeting on Tuesday, June 4, the board heard about a contract Garrison Diversion officials say was signed by road superintendent Nate Monson for road blading during the construction of the pipeline.
Commissioner Alan Scanson said that the commission was unaware of the contract and that Monson would not have the authority to sign it.
Brinster said she searched her email for evidence of a contract presented by Garrison Diversion officials, but never found it and said she doesn't recall ever seeing it before.
Presented with a revised contract from Garrison Diversion, Brinster noted that some of the language was vague and requested to have amendments made.
Brinster specifically asked for written provisions pertaining to when haulers veer off the designated route and damage roads. She also asked for a revision to the language talking about bringing roads back to their original state according to the county's specifications once the project is complete.
Brinster asked them to include a signature page.
Commission president David Utke said, like they do in oil country, he would like to see the roads inspected before and after the construction of the pipeline.
Kip Kovar of Garrison Diversion said they have pre-inspection videos.
The representatives agreed to bring a new contract to the next meeting scheduled for June 18.
Foster County Auditor Ellen Roundy stated Wednesday that the commission has no record of a road maintenance agreement between the county and Garrison Diversion, and the first time commissioners recall seeing the agreement was on May 22 when it was emailed to her office by Kovar. She believes there was a separate agreement, however, between Garney Construction, the pipeline contractor, and the Foster County Road Department.
In other business:
• The board heard from Foster County Emergency Manager Andrew Kirking who attended the meeting to inform the board of a homeland security grant which could be used for panic buttons.
He said they can secure panic buttons for the courthouse for $10,250 from one company or $16,000 from another company with no cost share.
A motion was passed to submit the grant application.
• The courthouse will be closed July 4 and 5.
• In a discussion about Lake Juanita Park, the board talked about getting a drop box for camping payments.
• Scanson presented the board with a calculation of the per-mile costs for maintaining gravel and pavement in the county.
Scanson and Monson calculated that maintaining gravel roads costs the county $2,400 per year, or $1,200 for each blading and material cost of gravel per mile.
Maintaining pavement, on the other hand, is significantly more. An overlay costs $250,000, or $25,000 per year for 10 years or $12,500 per year spread over 20 years. Chipping costs the county $40,000, or $4,000 per year per mile for 10 years.
• Finally, the board heard from Chris Thomas of EAPC Architects and Engineers about the courthouse basement project.
Thomas said they will soon be laying carpet and completing finish work as well as installing the flooring and plumbing fixtures in the new restrooms.
