McLeod County commissioners voted Tuesday to accept the completed State Project 043070023 roundabout project (County State Highway 115 and 25, Airport Road and Jefferson Road) and approve final payment of $60,650.64 to Ramsey Companies of Minneapolis. County staff recommended final acceptance and payment after satisfactory completion and turf establishment.

The board also approved a memorandum of understanding with the city of Lester Prairie for a stormwater resiliency project on County State Highway 9 to upsize the culvert for an unnamed Otter Creek tributary. Staff said the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) awarded Lester Prairie a stormwater resiliency implementation grant covering 90 percent of engineering, permitting and construction costs; the estimated total project cost is about $587,000, with the county and city splitting the remaining 10 percent equally, leaving the county’s share at approximately $29,000. Under the MOU the city will lead design, modeling, permitting and construction administration; the county will own and maintain the new culvert and provide administrative and project closeout support.

Commissioners asked about erosion control and whether silt fences had been removed; Public Works staff confirmed erosion control was removed and turf established for final release. Commissioners also asked whether the upsized culvert could change upstream or downstream flows; staff said DNR permitting and modeling remain part of the process and that impacts will be mitigated as that review continues. One commissioner noted the county’s long-term responsibility for the County Road and supported approving the MOU.

Both items passed by voice vote after motions and seconds were offered. The approvals are contingent on standard permitting and modeling processes where noted.