Sandbag distribution policy approved

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, August 23, 2000

Mower County now has a policy on the distribution of sandbags in the event of flooding.

Wednesday, August 23, 2000

Mower County now has a policy on the distribution of sandbags in the event of flooding.

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The county Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a policy Tuesday that was recommended by Bob Nelson, the city-county emergency preparedness director, and Mike Hanson, county engineer.

According to the new policy, the sandbags will be purchased in the anticipated quantity needed for a flood emergency.

Then, the bags will be stocked at the county highway department’s satellite locations throughout Mower County and where sand is available.

The county’s policy concerns sandbagging needs for all areas outside the city of Austin, which has its own policy for making them available in emergencies.

Len Miller, Fourth District commissioner, made the motion to approve the recommendations of Nelson and Hanson and adopt the policy. David Hillier, Third District commissioner, seconded it. All five board members approved the new policy.

Also Tuesday, the county engineer informed the commissioners a contract to regrade a portion of Mower County No. 20, known as the Beaver Trails Road, will be let Sept. 11.

Hanson expects the road, located near the popular Beaver Trails Campgrounds off Interstate 90 and near the Elkton exit to be regraded this fall.

The stretch of Mower County No. 20 runs from the campgrounds at I-90 south to CSAH No. 3’s intersection. Plans call for the roadway to be widened.

Hanson also told the commissioners that Minnowa Construction of Harmony was the low bidder for a contract to replace a bridge over a Nevada Township gravel road.

Seven bids were received, ranging from the low bid of $38,376, to a high of $56,000. Minnowa’s low bid was 11 percent under the estimated cost for the project.

In other action, the county board:

n Heard Margene Gunderson, county director of community health, invited the commissioners’ input on local youth risk initiatives using the county’s share of the tobacco endowment monies. Amy Newman, a public health nurse, is preparing the county’s plan, which, Gunderson said, must be "youth driven" and target 12- to 14-year-olds.

n Approved rates for facilities in Mower County that accept and deposit mixed municipal waste and demolition-construction solid waste. The new fees will go into effect Jan. 1.

n Updated Richard Epley, Austin Township Board chairman, on the Bellman’s Addition project. A water and sewer improvement hearing for the residential development along U.S. Highway 218 South is expected in October. Also Hanson answered Epley’s questions concerning tangents and other dangerous intersections in the county and efforts to relieve traffic safety concerns because of them. Austin Fire Chief Dan Wilson echoed Epley’s concerns about the traffic hazards posed by such intersections.