Kris Miller
Hiawatha World
The Brown County commission met with Keith Grimm of Grimm’s Gardens during Monday morning’s meeting about a project proposal for repairing Goldfinch Road.
Grimm proposed a trial run with leaving the current surface of Goldfinch alone and adding the shoulder length to 30 feet. He added that he would have a contractor involved and try to get everything lined up and allowed the commissioners to ask some questions.
Commissioner William Pollock asked if this would result in a narrow bridge, which Grimm confirmed that it would be the case, as he also wanted the repair work to go south down 270th Road. Commissioner Lucas Heinen asked about the repair process, which Grimm explained that the process would result in a change in shoulder length and a shallower ditch, with clay being brought in to be dozed on the north side of the road and that the shoulder surface would be kept to six to eight inches.
Assistant Foreman Doug Bletscher asked if there was a plan for traffic control, with Grimm replying that one was being worked on. Grimm also said that he contacted farmers regarding easements. He also said that his group had limited equipment for limited time and is looking for the county to agree on spending money for the project.
Commissioner Richard Lehmkuhl, however, told Grimm there had to be a process that needed to be followed for road repair, such as putting out bids for the work. He also added that a guideline was needed for these bids and to let the public know about them so people could apply to do the work. Lehmkuhl also said that the project needed to be surveyed. Grimm said that he would speak with Road and Bridge member Rodney Allen about the project. He also brought a copy of the invoice, with Pollock remarking that a plan was needed for Goldfinch to be repaired.
The commissioners also met with Northeast Kansas Environmental Services Environmental Health Specialist Martha Smith about wastewater concerns found in different areas, such as sewage overflow that happened next to McDonald’s in Hiawatha that was addressed, dilapidated property located at East Iowa Street (With a letter to be sent to the trailer inhabitant in that area) and blackwater found in Fairview, as well as paint dumped in a ditch in Fairview. There was also a report of livestock waste being dumped northeast of Hiawatha at Mulberry Road. Smith gave the commissioners more information on how to contact NEKES, as she emphasized that NEKES reports violations but does not enforce them; only the county has the authority to enforce environmental laws and regulations.
Below are other items of discussion:
• All commissioners approved malt beverage licenses for the new Sac and Fox Trading Post on U.S. Highway 73 and Grandview Oil in White Cloud.
• All commissioners approved a property agreement for American Legion Homer White Post 66 to use the courthouse for National Vietnam Day, which takes place on March 29; a Vietnam veteran flag and a Welcome Home flag will be displayed outside the Brown County Courthouse from March 24 to March 29.
• All commissioners approved a compressor repair quote for Emergency Management for a trailer to fill air tanks for firefighters.
• All commissioners voted for a roller machine to reclaim and fix 290th Road for $37,000.
