Akeley approves MnDOT TH‑34 amendment and schedules special meeting to identify payment sources

The Akeley City Council approved Amendment No. 1 to its cooperative agreement with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), which updated the city's estimated share for the Highway 34 project to $219,888.19 and finalized the payment schedule. Council members were told the earlier estimate of roughly $192,889 reflected preliminary figures; recent price changes and previously unpriced water-main work raised the estimate.

"Prices have gone up a lot in the last year," MnDOT representative Anthony Collyard told the council, and Kristi Kath said the previously unaccounted-for water-main work alone was estimated at $83,734.65. During discussion, council members repeatedly emphasized the need to identify a funding source before payment is due.

Why it matters: the project will reconstruct and improve the main street through Akeley and includes street lighting, sidewalks and other features that affect the city's right-of-way and future maintenance obligations. The city will owe its share to MnDOT under the cooperative agreement when payments are due, and council members said they wanted a clear plan to avoid an unexpected levy increase.

Council action and next steps: council voted to approve the amendment and scheduled a special meeting (June 22, 2023) to determine where the funds will come from and whether staged payments or other financing can be used. Council members discussed possible use of city reserves, staged payments, or reallocations within the 2023–24 budget.

Exchanges: Acting Mayor Dan Riggs asked staff and MnDOT for justification of the cost changes and for details on what was included. Kristi Kath summarized items not included in the earliest estimate. No formal roll-call tallies were recorded in the minutes beyond the motion and the notation that it passed.

Votes at a glance: Resolution/Action: MnDOT Amendment No. 1 (city share $219,888.19) — motion passed (no roll-call tally recorded in minutes).