A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and the development of the Crooked Crane Shared Use Path project is no exception.
Dickinson Parks and Recreation District Director James Kramer and Gene Jackson with Kadrmas, Lee & Jackson came before the Stark County Park Board Tuesday as part of the regular meeting of the Stark County Commission. Kramer and Jackson discussed the county's possible involvement with the trail proposal. The trail would run from the intersection of State Avenue and Palm Beach Road to the entrance of the Patterson Lake beach area.
A grant awarded to the city of Dickinson provides $296,000 in funding for the $450,000 project, leaving an estimated $154,000 in remaining costs.
It was proposed that the Dickinson Park Board and the Stark County Park Board split the remaining cost. However, the Stark County Park Board would like to see other entities such as the city of Dickinson or possibly the Bureau of Reclamation involved with sharing the cost. The bureau owns some of the land near Patterson Lake.
The county park board decided to wait until its June meeting to make a decision.
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The Roughrider Racing Association also appeared before the park board Tuesday in hopes of finishing revamping the Southwest Speedway with new concession stands and bathrooms estimated to cost $100,000.
Association members originally proposed the county park board donate $30,000 to the project and lend the remaining $70,000 to the group. However, due to uncertainty of the legality of the county lending money for this purpose, it was then proposed the funds could be repaid by raising the association's lease from $150 per year to $5,000 per year.
No official action was taken on the financial aspect of the project, but the board gave approval to open bids for the new concession stands and bathrooms with a cap of $100,000.
On an unrelated matter, the issue of an oil company putting in an unsafe road approach led Stark County commissioners to now require permits on all road approaches. Information is to be posted on the county Web site regarding the new permit requirement.
In other action Tuesday:
E Dean Karsky was approved for leasing 55 acres of pasture land in the State Addition for $13 per acre.
E In a 3-2 vote, the commission raised the price of four remaining lots on the State Addition from 98 cents per square foot to $1.15/square foot.
E Dickinson City Administrator Greg Sund brought forward the idea that the Stark County shop and the city shop could share a locale. The commission recommended this is a matter the fair board, the city and the county need to discuss together.
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E The commission heard from county Tax Equalization Director Diane Brines regarding hiring the Vanguard Company to appraise the ethanol plant near Richardton. The issue was put on hold until the next meeting.
