Public Works director Mark Daly attended the Faribault County Commissioners meeting on Oct. 4 and presented a resolution for the commissioners to approve an agreement with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to install lighting at four intersections on Trunk Highway 22.

“This is just like previous agreements for lighting we have had with MnDOT,” Daly explained. “The four intersections are located at County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 29, at both the north and south junctions of CSAH 20 and at CSAH 21.”

Daly reminded the commissioners that MnDOT pays for the construction and installation of the lighting systems while the county covers the cost of maintaining the lights.

“This is a good way to increase safety at intersections,” Daly said. “The lights are LEDs and are designed to emit less noise pollution than previous designs.”

The board approved the resolution.

Daly also had a construction update for the commissioners.

“We finally have taken delivery of some long-awaited culverts,” Daly explained. “Work has begun on the CSAH 13 south box culvert so CSAH 13 is closed between CSAH 2 and CSAH 4.”

Daly told the board centerline culverts will also be installed on CSAH 20 and CSAH 14.

Daly had one last bit of news to share concerning a railroad crossing in Wells.

“CP Rail contacted me and they are ready to work on the crossing at Third Street in Wells,” Daly commented. “That crossing will probably be closed for three to four days while the work is completed.”

Central Services director Pam Krill, who was at the meeting, was asked if any progress had been made in the search for a new Planning and Zoning administrator.

“The application window closes later this afternoon,” Krill replied. “So far I believe we have had one person apply.”

County auditor/treasurer/coordinator Darren Esser then told the board he had some good news and some bad news.

“The good news is I have been informed Faribault County is eligible to apply for a Federal Grant which is available and was made possible by the American Rescue Plan (ARP),” Esser commented. “It is called the Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF). Faribault County is eligible for $50,000 in both 2022 and 2023 for a total amount of $100,000.”

The County Board directed Esser to apply for the grant.

“The bad news is we have a change order on the courthouse project,” Esser explained. “There has been more flaking of interior paint throughout the building while work is going on. Vibrations from sawing, hammering, etc., have exposed more areas of concern. Most of the flaking paint is in the upper level and main level hallway and contain small amounts of lead.”

Esser told the board in a worst-case scenario, the cost of the change order to take care of the problem would be $92,096 and the board approved spending up to that amount on the change order.

The board also:

• Approved the training request of deputy Vincent Do of the Sheriff’s Department to attend a seminar on constitutional use of force and legal to reasonable force issues.

• Voted to approve the request of Chase Davis of the Sheriff’s Department to attend a Street Cop Training class which will focus on gaining knowledge pertaining to drug trafficking.