Commission hears updates on projects

The Marion County Board of Commissioners met on Monday for their regular weekly meeting. Much of the meeting was filled with project updates as the board works hard to complete a long list of projects that they have made priority for the county to complete.

Road & Bridge

County Engineer Brice Goebel was unable to attend the meeting in person, but he sent in a written report for the board in order to update them on ongoing projects.

One project Goebel brought up in his report was the need for a decision on whether or not to close 190th from Chisholm Trail to K-15. Goebel suggested the closure due to the cost of the bridge replacement as well as the amount of work to constantly maintain the roadway west of the bridge. No decision was made as the board would like to drive out and inspect the bridge before deciding.

The board discussed speed limit changes for Upland Rd. coming from the Marion County Lake. Goebel had previously brought the request from a lake resident who was concerned about the high speeds that people travel when leaving the lake. The board discussed passing a resolution to change the speed limit to 35 for the stretch of the road south of 180th on Upland, but they ultimately decided to have Attorney Brad Jantz check with Sheriff Rob Craft regarding a potential recommendation and then draft a resolution.

Goebel reported that 350th west of Quail Creek was graded and rocked last week. The pipes should be done either Monday or Tuesday of this week and then the road will be topped with smaller rock.

The board learned that Marion County Road and Bridge dug a hole and helped install the water tank for fire services at Ramona.

Other Road and Bridge updates included:

n Fuel tanks are finally scheduled for installation next week.

n Rock for emergency access will be installed on Diamond Rd. between 80th and 90th today.

n Stop sign at the south side of 330th and Diamond was hit and replaced twice last week.

n The FDR is completed and profile milled from 140th and Nighthawk South. Road and Bridge plans to start north of 140th on Monday.

n The chip seal will start on Monday for 60th.

n Blade patching is scheduled to begin next week.

n Goldenrod bridge south of 170th is now scheduled into October.

Park & Lake

Marion County Park and Lake Superintendent Isaac Hett gave an update on some ongoing projects at the Marion County Lake.

He was able to get pricing from two companies who would come out to do a full inspection of the damage done to the dam at the lake during the rain and flooding in June. Hett said that anyone who comes out would need to be paid for the inspection and the writing of the report. For one company Sustainable the total cost would be around $3,850. For the other company, GeoEngineers, the total would be $7,378.

Hett explained that the damage isn’t so urgent that action has to happen immediately, but it is important to remember that every time it rains, more erosion occurs. The board agreed it best to move forward and approved the cost estimate for Sustainable.

Hett said the Bluegrass at the Lake Music Festival will be held this Friday. . He expects a large turnout especially since the event was canceled last year due to COVID-19.

In other business, the board:

n received thanks and a gift basket of items from the various Marion County 4-H groups.

n met in executive session for personnel. No actions were taken.

n heard from Emergency Management Director Randy Frank regarding the Marion County Emergency Operations Plan that needs to be updated; the board set a work session for 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 9 to further discuss updates to the plan.

n set a work session for 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 16 to further discuss developing a land bank and land bank policies for the county.

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