Burleigh County Commission ends partnership with rail bridge group bismarcktribune.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from bismarcktribune.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The Burleigh County Commission on Monday voted to end a fledgling partnership with Friends of the Rail Bridge after learning it could not help provide the nonprofit with additional insurance, leaving the future of the historic Bismarck-Mandan Rail Bridge unclear.
State s Attorney Julie Lawyer informed the commissioners that a memo from Friends of the Rail Bridge said information provided by the group at the March 15 commission meeting was misleading or in error.
Friends of the Rail Bridge wants to stop BNSF Railway from demolishing the 138-year-old bridge spanning the Missouri River to make way for a new structure. The preservation group and railroad signed an agreement with the U.S. Coast Guard in January outlining paths to either keeping or removing the bridge. The Coast Guard decides on projects proposed along that part of the Missouri River to âensure the structure does not unreasonably affect navigation,â according to a Federal Register notice.
The Burleigh County Commission on Wednesday plans to address Commissioner Mark Armstrong s meeting attendance after the board s chairwoman said she has received complaints from residents about Armstrong attending meetings remotely.
Armstrong has not attended a regular commission meeting in person since March 16, 2020. He calls in to a phone in the Tom Baker Room of the City/County Building or attends via Zoom. He did not respond to emails and phone calls requesting comment that the Tribune left over a span of three days. The Tribune also left a message Tuesday with his wife.
Armstrong PROVIDED
Commission Chairwoman Kathleen Jones said Armstrong told her he cannot attend meetings in person because of the COVID-19 policy of his employer, the state Workforce Safety & Insurance agency.