MARATHON COUNTY INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE

AGENDA Date & Time of Meeting: Thursday, November 1, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. Meeting Location: Marathon County Highway Department, 1430 West Street, Wausau, WI 54401 Members: John Robinson, Chair; Richard Gumz, Vice-Chair; Allen Opall; Jeff Johnson, Thomas Seubert; Alan Christensen; Sandi Cihlar

Marathon County Mission Statement: Marathon County Government serves people by leading, coordinating, and providing county, regional, and statewide initiatives. It directly, or in cooperation with other public and private partners, provides services and creates opportunities that make Marathon County and the surrounding area a preferred place to live, work, visit, and do business. (Last updated: 12/20/05) Infrastructure Committee Mission/Purpose: Provide leadership for the implementation of the Strategic Plan, monitoring outcomes, reviewing and recommending to the County Board policies related to technology and infrastructure initiatives of Marathon County, which includes, but is not limited to, highways, airways, waterways, etc.

1. Call to Order                             

2. Public Comment Period  

3. Approval of the Minutes of the October 4, 2018, Infrastructure Committee Meeting.  

4. Policy Issues Discussion and Potential Committee Determination to forward to the County Board A. Consideration of Resolution Opposing Larger & Heavier Trucks (Coalition Against Bigger Trucks) 

 5. Operational Functions required by Statute, Ordinance, or Resolution: 

A. Discussion and Possible Action by Committee 1. County Road “Q”, Town of Ringle – request to open portion of Roadway for ATV/UTV usage 2. Consideration and Possible Approval of the Routine Roadway Maintenance Agreement  

6. Educational Presentations and Committee Discussion A. Licensing of Agricultural Vehicles 

1. What licenses are required and what privileges flow from them? B. Update from Dave Mack on attempts to gather other county highway policies relative to infrastructure needs to support 

potential economic development on roadway improvement, maintenance and jurisdictional transfer.  C. Highway Commissioner’s Report – update on projects and WCHA activities 

1. 2019 Marathon County Budget – how it impacts Marathon County Highway Department D. City‐County Information Technology Commission Director's Report  

7. Announcements:  A. Future meetings and location, agenda topics 

1. Next Committee meeting – December 6, 2018, at 9:00 a.m. 2. 2019 WCHA Road School, January 14‐16, 2019, Chula Vista Resort & Conference Center, Wisconsin Dells 

  8. Adjourn 

Any person planning to attend this meeting who needs some type of special accommodation in order to participate should call the County Clerk’s Office at 715 261-1500 or e-mail infomarathon@mail.co.marathon.wi.us one business day before the meeting.

SIGNED /s/ John Robinson Presiding Officer or Designee FAXED TO: Wausau Daily Herald, City Pages, NOTICE POSTED AT COURTHOUSE FAXED TO: and Other Media Groups FAXED BY: ___M Palmer_ BY: M Palmer_____ FAXED DATE: DATE: FAXED TIME: TIME:

MARATHON COUNTY INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

Thursday, October 4, 2018, at 9:00 a.m.

Marathon County Highway Department, 1430 West Street, Wausau WI

Attendance: Present Excused Absent Also Present: Brad Karger, Dave Mack, Beth Nemec, Don Radtke, Gerry Klein, Peter Weinschenk, Kevin

Lang, Craig McEwen

1. Call Meeting to Order The meeting was called to order by Chairman John Robinson at 9:00 a.m.

2. Public Comment – None.

3. Approval of the Minutes of the September 13, 2018 Infrastructure Committee Meeting

MOTION BY CHRISTENSEN, SECOND BY SEUBERT TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 13, 2018, INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE MEETING. MOTION CARRIED.

4. Policy Issues Discussion and Potential Committee Determination A. Coalition Against Bigger Trucks

1. Consideration of Resolution/Statement in Opposition to Legislation permitting oversized trucks Discussion:

Dan Fedderly and the Wisconsin County Highway Association has asked for the County’s support to oppose an increase in the maximum weight of trucks, in addition to the length of double trainers. Increasing truck size and weight would be an enormous setback in terms of damage to local roads which are built by lower standards than the interstate highway. Wisconsin recently completed a roadway life cycle of the county highway system and learned that a county highway has a projected life cycle of 50 years, but over the last 5 years the actual rate of reconstruction puts us on a pace for a 200 year cycle. When it comes to resurfacing instead of the projected 20-year timeframe, the actual rate is 56.2 years allowing longer and heavier trucks will only add to these problems.

Action: MOTION BY OPALL; SECOND BY SEUBERT TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION IN OPPOSITION TO LEGISLATION PERMITTING OVERSIZED TRUCKS AND FORWARD IT TO THE COUNTY BOARD. MOTION CARRIED.

Follow through: None requested.

5. Operational Functions required by Statute, Ordinance, or Resolution:

A. Discussion and Possible Action by Committee 1. Consideration of request for speed limit restrictions on County Highway A within the Village of

Dorchester, near State Highway 13 Discussion:

The Village of Dorchester requested a reduction in the speed limit from 55 MPH to 35 MPH:

John Robinson, Chair X Richard Gumz, Vice-Chair X Tom Seubert X Alan Christensen X Sandi Cihlar X Jeff Johnson X Allen Opall X

Allen Opal said that he hated to overlook a local government unit and wondered if a “Reduce Speed Ahead” sign might solve the problem

Dropping the speed limit to 45 MPH was discussed Richard Gumz indicated that he travels the route daily and cannot see the value in reducing the

speed. Action:

MOTION BY GUMZ, SECOND BY CHRISTENSEN TO LEAVE THE SPEED LIMIT “AS IS”. MOTION CARRIED.

Follow through: Kevin Lang was asked to monitor crashes at the site and to report back at the October, 2019 meeting his findings.

2. Disaster Damage Aids Petition – Culvert F0206, Town of Brighton

Discussion: Kevin Lang reported that the water went over the top of the road and the shoulder washed out. The estimated repair cost is $25,000. The idea is to add a 60” overflow culvert to minimize further damage risk.

Action: MOTION BY GUMZ; SECOND BY SEUBERT TO SUPPORT THE DISASTER DAMAGE AID PETITION FOR DAMAGE WHICH OCCURRED ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2018. MOTION CARRIED

Follow through: Kevin Lang will complete the petition and send it to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation

6. Educational Presentations and Committee Discussion A. Continued Discussion of County Highway Policies

1. Agricultural Vehicles impact on County Highway system a) Funding implications

Discussion: Committee members discussed a number of issues related to agriculture vehicles and County highway safety:

Revenues: To seek additional revenues to pay for roads damaged by agricultural vehicles Driver Competency: Ensure that drivers of farm vehicles have a CDL when required. Vehicle Inspections: Ensure that required safety inspections on farm vehicles are performed.

Don Radtke, Farm Bureau, and Northcentral Technical College said local farmers want to be part of County road policy development. After discussion the group decided to focus its future investigations on driver competency and vehicle inspections that require a CDL license.

Follow through: The Chair will add this topic to future meeting agendas.

B. Update on Just Fix-It Campaign and Wisconsin Counties’ Association ongoing efforts Discussion:

Governor Walker recently promised a 30% state cost-share for County roadway reconstruction, which would result in $120,000 in additional funding for Marathon County for the biennium. The need for a long-term transportation plan with stable funding continues to be emphasized to legislators. To date 700 government units have adopted a resolution calling for a long-term funding solution.

Follow through: None requested

C. Infrastructure Committee Ongoing Role in 2018-2022 Strategic Plan Discussion:

The Infrastructure Committee will have a lead role in the following Strategic Plan Objectives: 10.12 – Maintain infrastructure to support economic growth.

And a supporting role in four other Objectives: 5.2 – Promote sound land use decision that conserve and preserve natural resources in decisions with

economic development and growth. 6.3 – Protect and enhance the quality of potable groundwater and potable surface water supplies. 8.7 – Strive to provide affordable, reliable, high-speed internet access throughout the county.

10.8 –Encourage development and redevelopment of key employment centers in areas that possess strong market potential, provide good transportation access for workers, and promote the efficient

movement of goods.

Craig McEwen advised committee members that progress will be tracked and reported in an annual report. Follow through:

None Requested.

D. Highway Commissioner’s Report 1. Surface Transportation Plan update 2. Metropolitan Planning Organization update

Discussion: James Griesbach was not present, but submitted a written report dated October 1, 2018, which was included in the meeting packet. Some of the topics covered are:

The work of the various crews on culvert replacements. The efforts of the Wisconsin Highway Association in working with Wis. DOT personnel on bridge

replacement. An upcoming legislature meeting with area legislators on October 12, 2018.

Follow through: None requested.

E. City-County Information Technology Commission Director's Report Discussion:

Gerry Klein was present and reported on the same items listed in his written report which was in the meeting packet:

Law enforcement system replacement Land records system replacement Security Broadband

Follow through: None requested

7. Announcements:

A. Future Meetings and Agenda Topics November 1, 2018, at the Highway Department. Chair John Robinson announced that next month agenda items would include:

Promoting safe agricultural vehicle operation and developing a relationship with the Sheriff’s Department facilitating the enforcement of rules already in place.

8. Adjourn

MOTION TO ADJOURN BY CHRISTENSEN; SECOND BY SEUBERT. MOTION CARRIED. MEETING ADJOURNED AT 10:35 AM.

Minutes prepared  By Brad Karger on October 10, 2018 

RESOLUTION  R‐_____‐18 OPPOSING INCREASES IN TRUCK SIZE AND WEIGHT 

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors of Marathon County is concerned for the welfare and safety of our residents and families, as well as the condition of the over 600 miles of county trunk highway infrastructure under its control; and 

 

WHEREAS, in addition to significant county‐controlled transportation infrastructure, I‐39 and numerous other state highways pass directly through Marathon County and are  heavily traveled with tractor‐trailer trucks, both double trailer trucks and 53‐foot single trailer trucks; and 

  

WHEREAS, Congress rejected legislation in 2015 that would have allowed for longer and heavier trucks on our roadways due, at least in part, to roadway safety and maintenance implications of the larger and heavier vehicles; and  

 

WHEREAS, increasing the truck trailer size and weight limit continues to pose significant safety risks to users of our transportation system, as double 33s take 252 feet to stop—that is 17 feet longer stopping distance than today’s single‐trailer trucks and 22 feet longer than today’s twin‐trailer trucks; and  

 

WHEREAS, USDOT has concluded that heavier trucks, trucks weighing at or above 80,000 pounds have an higher overall out‐of‐service violation rates and 18 percent higher brake violation rates; and 

 

WHEREAS, longer and heavier trucks cause greater acceleration of the deterioration of highways, roads and bridges, putting further budgetary pressure on local municipalities and taxpayers to repair and replace roadway infrastructure; and 

 

WHEREAS, without significant increases in transportation aid, Marathon County would be unable to adequately maintain its county‐controlled roadway infrastructure; and 

 

WHEREAS, the USDOT two‐year Comprehensive Truck Size and Weight Limits Study recommended against any increases to the current truck size and weight limits until additional data was gathered an analysis performed; and 

 

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that The Board of Supervisors of Marathon County opposes any legislation seeking to increase the weights or lengths of tractor‐trailer trucks on our roads.  

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to Governor Scott Walker, area legislators, and the Wisconsin Counties Association. 

Dated this _____ day of November, 2018. INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE 

____________________________________      ____________________________________   ____________________________________      ____________________________________   ____________________________________      ____________________________________   

____________________________________ FiscalImpactStatement:NoneContactInformation:

Honorable Scott Walker Governor, State of Wisconsin 115 East Capitol Madison, WI 53702

US Representative Sean Duffy 208 Grand Avenue Wausau, WI 54403 US Senator Tammy Baldwin 717 Hart SOB Washington, DC 20510 US Senator Ron Johnson 328 Hart SOB Washington, DC 20510

Area Legislators: Honorable Senators Jerry Petrowski, Terry Moulton, and Thomas Tiffany Wisconsin State Senate P.O. Box 7882 Madison, WI 53707-7882 Honorable Representatives Patrick Snyder, John Spiros, Bob Kulp, Mary Felzkowski, and James Edming Wisconsin State Assembly P.O. Box 8953 Madison, WI 53708 Wisconsin Counties Association Attn: Sarah Diedrick-Kasdorf 22 E. Mifflin Street, Suite 900 Madison, WI 53703 diedrick@wicounties.org

OFFICE OF HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER

1430 WEST STREET WAUSAU, WI 54401

O:\County Admin\Infrastructure\Agendas\11.01.18\5 - Highway Commissioner's Report - 11.1.18.doc

November 1, 2018 Highway Department Report The paving crew is working on paving bridge approaches before winter plowing operations and milling and patching some potholes that require frequent patching in the winter. The Bridge crew is repairing damage claims on guard rail and cable guard. Stratford crews have culvert replacements on CTH P and CTH H, are placing crack leveling on various highways and are performing routine maintenance on STH 29 and various county highways. State crews are milling and patching on Business 51 near Fleet Farm and in the Rothschild/Schofield area. The construction crew is replacing a culvert on CTH W and working on roadside ditching and brushing. We postponed a box culvert installation on CTH Z as the delivery date was getting too late in the season. We’ll purchase the materials for the project this year and install the culvert in 2019. Crews will begin installing snow fencing in areas of known drifting. Both Stratford and Wausau shops have been converting our summer haul trucks back into plow vehicles. The State Municipal Agreements for the 2017-2022 Wisconsin Department of Transportation local bridge program have been signed and returned to the department. Wisconsin County Highway Association (WCHA) held its fall training session October 22-23 in Appleton, WI. In conjunction with that meeting the Board of Directors met along with the executive committee with the department of transportation to discuss ongoing maintenance efforts. Submitted by

James M. Griesbach

James Griesbach Highway Commissioner