January 3, 2014 - 4:45 pm
Joint Statement by Steele and Waseca County Board of Commissioners
For further information contact:
Tom Shea, Steele County Administrator - 507-444-7431
Laura Elvebak, Waseca County Administrator - 507-835-0631
Steele, Waseca Counties Agree to MnDOT Agreement
Steele and Waseca County Boards voted today to approve the Settlement Agreement drafted by
the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) relating to old Highway 14* turn back
and presented to the Counties as a final agreement offer. The insistence of MnDOT that the
Counties accept substantive changes to the hand shake agreement of October 28th has eroded
the confidence and trust in the Counties working relationship with their transportation partner.
The Counties have experienced an unnecessary and burdensome process and strongly
encourage MnDOT to establish guidelines on the turn back system so that other counties do not
repeat the waste of time and resources Steele and Waseca Counties have to achieve this
resolution, a resolution which could have and should have been done 16 months ago.
Despite all of this, the Counties believe this agreement, while not perfect, is still in the best
interests of the citizens of the Counties. Further, in spite of this unfortunate process, Steele
and Waseca Counties are committed to restoring a mutually respectful working relationship
with MnDOT and pledge to work hard to re-store that trust between the counties and State of
Minnesota.
*Between the Waseca/Blue Earth County line and the City of Owatonna
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