Caledonia Argus

Road discussion hits dead end

Posted: 5/28/02

By Shannon McKinney
Argus News Reporter

Negotiations on access to the new middle school/high school stalled again at last Tuesdayís meeting between ISD #299, the city of Caledonia, and Ma Cal Developers.

Proposals were made and turned down as new information revealed that the state fire marshall will be on-site in the next few weeks to determine if the current access on Gjere Avenue meets safety concerns.

Superintendent Percy Lingen and board member Bruce Bulman stated that the Gjere access has already been approved by the state. Bulman later told The Argus that the fire marshall was asked to come down, though, to make sure that the Gjere access meets safety requirements.

In a unanimous vote, school board members turned down Ma Calís offer to have the city and school district share the costs of developing Esch Drive and Kruckow Avenue. Part of that offer included installing underground utilities for the unplatted Center Street, which would run between Kruckow and Esch, but not developing the street. Ma Cal did not want the costs assessed back onto the developers or future owners. In that proposal, Ma Cal would donate the land for development and provide right-of-way.

The unfinished portions of Esch measures 680 feet while the unfinished portion for Kruckow measures 312 feet.

Kraus Anderson Site Superintendent Ken Cote' provided cost estimates from South Eastern Engineering Inc. for developing those streets. For 680 feet of Esch, the estimate is $122,535, for Kruckow it is $92,500 and for Center Avenue, it is $47,478.

Bulman said the Kruckow numbers did not seem accurate because it included developing a pond which would not be necessary. Bulman and Mayor Bob Burns thought actual costs for Kruckow were more in the range of $50,000.

After the district turned down Ma Calís offer, the city also turned down the offer.

Districtís offer is denied by Ma Cal

Board member Chuck Schulte made a counter offer that was approved by the school with a 4-2 vote. Those opposed were Bulman and David Klinski.

Schulte proposed that Ma Cal donate the unplatted portion, about 300 feet, to the district and then the district, city and Ma Cal would share in the costs of developing the entire unfinished portion of Esch Drive, about 680 feet, from where it ends now till where it would end at the future Gjere Avenue. According to the estimate, it would cost each party about $40,000 to develop Esch Drive. The district would be responsible for bituminous sidewalk construction.

Ma Cal makes counter offer

Speaking for Ma Cal, Gary Kruckow declined the proposal and made a counteroffer. ìMa Cal is not interested in doing the street (Esch Drive),î he said.

He proposed that Kruckow Avenue be donated to the city to develop, which in turn could defer assessment back to the property owner after the land is sold. Also, the city would have to agree to not pursue eminent domain on any of Ma Calís property.

Kruckow added that they are not in favor of having sidewalks put in on the Esch Drive area for the liability factor and that it could possibly divide the land for future buyers. He suggested putting in a sidewalk on the northern boundary of the Harley Doering and Ma Cal property.

Kruckow said Esch Drive may be put in as a street someday as they see fit.

An access from Highway 76 is planned for the future but there are details yet to be worked out, including the purchase of land.

Council is divided on Kruckow proposal

Council member Mark Schiltz commented that he doesnít feel comfortable approving the development of Kruckow Avenue if the fire marshall does not approve it as an appropriate access. He would prefer to await the outcome of the fire marshallís visit.

Mayor Bob Burns was in favor of Ma Calís offer because he saw Kruckow as a logical, low cost entrance to the school. The cost to the city would be about $50,000.

Burns said they would not be responsible for putting in sidewalks on Kruckow Avenue because that would be the districtís responsibility.

Council member John Klug said the reason for the meeting was to try to provide a second access to the school. He pointed out that the district was originally led to believe that Esch Drive would be developed by Ma Cal, that it was a good idea then, and now suddenly it is a bad idea. He added that putting in Kruckow doesnít do anything as far as getting a second access to the school, ìI couldnít support it,î he said. Although, he did think it was the cheapest and best access so far.

He felt that eventually Esch would go in and join with Kruckow Avenue.

Bulman agreed with Klug that it was the best access right now, but he didnít believe it would qualify as a second access. ìIt will reduce the amount of traffic for people going down Gjere Lane,î he said.

Burns noted, ìIf we do Esch forcefully it will cost considerably more. Itís (Kruckow) the cheapest right now for the city. As the development grows, developers will put in a street, so youíre money can go towards Highway 76 (a northern access).î

A spectator, Kathy Lund, commented, ìPersonally, I donít think he (the fire marshall) will grant it as a second access. If something happens, my kids are going to die because no one can get to it. It canít hurt to have Kruckow and the north access should be looked at.î

Former Superintendent Miles Miller gave his opinion, ìIt appears to me that Esch as proposed by the district is a dead issue because developers are not in favor of it. The only alternative is Kruckow now, and the district accessing Highway 76 at the earliest possible convenience.î

Ma Calís offer, however, was turned down by a 3-2 vote. Those voting against include Schiltz, Randi Vick and Klug.

The fire marshall was scheduled to visit the site this week, but that has been pushed back a few weeks.

District looks at northern access

Board member Dave Klinski commented, ìThe district still has an option to spend dollars on access to Highway 76. If weíre going to spend money we should do it on our own property.î

Bulman said the estimate to build a road out to Highway 76 would cost about $280,000.

Council member John Klug said it may cost less than that if manpower is used right now to at least rough out the road to Highway 76.

Cote' agreed that it would be cheaper if done now.

Schulte said, ìIf you canít get a street in and the fire marshall says no, youíve got problem.î

Currently, the issue with a northern access to Highway 76 is that due to dedication issues with the city, district and Doerings the paperwork has not been completed, but is scheduled to be soon. Also, the district would need to contract an engineer to draw up plans to install turn lanes on Highway 76. After the plans were approved by the state, the district would then need to obtain right-of-ways to install the turn lanes. With only three and a half months before the new school opens, it doesnít seem feasible that that access would be ready.

Quick take and north option to be investigated

Lingen later told board members that an emergency meeting will need to be held if the fire marshall determines that a second access is necessary and that Kruckow does not count as a second access.

Cote' had said that the fire marshall could prohibit occupancy if he felt the school needed a second access.

Lingen was directed by board members to find out what has already been done for developing a road to #76.

And, then, pending the result of the fire marshallís visit, Lingen was also directed to obtain information on the legal proceedings for doing a ìquick takeî, which is a way of quickly seizing land through eminent domain while issues such as price are worked out.

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