Fountain Looks Ahead to Highway 52 Project

There were several guests in attendance at the August 6 Fountain City Council meeting, including Paul Zagar from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). The city will see a major reconfiguration of the current 3rd Street and County Road 8 intersection with Highway 52 next spring. Currently, the three roads meet in a “Y” intersection. MnDOT is planning to end the west end of 3rd Street in a cul de sac and reposition the adjacent intersection of County Road 8 and Highway 52 for better visual clarity and safety.

Zagar provided three updates and a few words of future caution. First, rather than contend with moving the garage at 102 Third Street, project engineers will now extend the state right-of-way up to the structure, but follow just the footprint of it, not touching it at all. Secondly, a list of trees that citizens previously requested be moved due to impeding visibility was reviewed. These will largely not be an issue after reconstruction. Furthermore, many are on private property, not public. Lastly, the historical society requested MnDOT put up signs for the sinkhole observation site. After discussing it with staff, Zagar indicated doing so would require a permitting process. Also, once the permitting process begins, it automatically triggers the area to be fully ADA-compliant, which can be costly. 

“We talked about conveying the land back to the city. The materials division said at some point that sinkhole is going to undermine Highway 52 and we’re going to have to cap it and fill it in,” said Zagar.

During the project, MnDOT will be redirecting traffic on County Road 8 for perhaps as long as a week. The plan is to put what Zagar explained was a “reverse crown” on it, flipping up one side so the water will drain one way and enhancing the northbound turn. MnDOT doesn’t anticipate it will be closed for long and that it will affect few. The proposed detour was a concern for Mayor Ron Reisner who noted major sinkholes in the area.

“It’s not a long detour and there’s not a lot of traffic there. We’re going to have to detour 52 for the people living there and the rock quarry,” added Zagar.

“That’s going to be the biggest thing. Even in a week’s time, that’s going to be a lot of trucks pounding that road,” cautioned Public Works Director John Hanson.

The council approved these preliminary changes. MnDOT will be back in the spring for a public open house. At that time, an estimated 60% of the plan will be complete and residents  and businesses will be able to see the corridors.

Fire Chief Jason Wright was also in attendance seeking clarification from the council regarding fire department purchases.

“In all the years I’ve been in the fire department, I never knew we had to have a dollar amount before we spend a dollar,” said Wright. “I was never told this and then hear third-hand that I’m out spending money. I want the dollar amount.”

City Clerk Mary Tjekpes noted the issue is not an attack on the department, but purchases must be documented for the auditors. Wright indicated that up until now, the department has operated so that if there was a clear need, the department paid half and the city paid half. If there was a department request which wasn’t needed, it was covered by the department and vice versa if the city had a request that the department didn’t need.

“There was a clause for emergency purchases, but I’ve never been told I needed to do it,” added Wright.

After some discussion about the discretionary spending amounts of other municipalities, the council unanimously approved the department limit at $10,000. If over that amount, they will notify the city clerk who will notify the council

“We should know what kinds of purchases you’re going to make. I think we just need to make sense of what your purchases are,” said Councilor Tammy Danielson.

Also in attendance was Joe Hoscheit of the Consolidated Energy Company, who provided costs to supply the city with fuel for the fire department and city vehicles/equipment. The city is unsure who currently owns the two fuel barrels, but Hanson will check into it. The council unanimously approved a review of the pricing and if it’s determined to be lower than current rates and the services the same, the city goes with the lower pricing company for fueling needs.

The new postcard mural in the city is nearing completion. Once the final details are complete, the city will host a ribbon-cutting event. Date and time will be determined later.

The council approved creating a 10-foot by 10-foot garden bed with edging and rock for easy maintenance. It will provide a spot for photo opportunities. There was some questions previously regarding liability, but it’s the same liability as city parks.

Near the conclusion of the meeting, Reisner reiterated the need for cooperative efforts in the city.

“We have to work together on all this stuff. If there’s things wearing out, we need to be notified. We’re going to have to start working together as a team,” said Reisner. “I am a stern one on if something is broken, fix it now.”

Danielson volunteered to create a project management list including any costs, bids, involved persons, timelines, and more.

“We can list start to finish on every project big or small, finalize it and see something through,” she said.