Two REAP (Resource Enhancement and Protection) Grant applications for PlyWood Trail funding will not move forward after failing to receive the county’s support. That was the decision of the Plymouth County Board of Supervisors following a split vote of 2-3.

Chairman Don Kass and supervisors Craig Anderson and Mark Loutsch voted against signing the application, while supervisors John Meis and Gary Horton voted in favor of the motion.

Brett Langley of McClure Engineering and Jason Vacura of the City of Le Mars, came before the board at Tuesday’s meeting requesting their application of $50,000 for the City of Merrill and $100,000 for the City of Le Mars.

Langley said in Merrill the funds would be used to improve either sidewalks or in some areas adjacent to the roadway, trails throughout the city that would connect the PlyWood Trail from the north to the south side of town.

In Le Mars, the funding would have been designated towards the funding of a $600,000 bridge crossing the Floyd River.

Tuesday’s meeting didn’t start off on a good note when the board learned the application deadline was Aug. 15.

“We have a resolution that says we need to have any information for our consideration at least two weeks prior to the meeting,” said Kass.

“Yes, we should of had this quicker than today,” Loutsch agreed.

Langley quickly admitted they dropped the ball.

“We have been working with the Iowa National Heritage Foundation so they’ve been working on these applications so that’s probably on us for not communicating those timelines a little better,” he said.

As board members reviewed the documentation before then, Anderson jumped in questioning Langley on some major project details.

“So, what are you going to do at NIPCO? When I’ve talked to the REC board they said that you are not going to be allowed to go near their building,” Anderson asked.

“We’re looking at a few different options there,” Langley responded. “We tried to find a way that was equitable for everybody to go through the parking lot but it doesn’t sound like that’s going to happen. So the other route would be to go in front of the wall there along Hwy 75 and then as soon as you get past that wall get a little closer to the property lines so we can keep it further away from the road. Right now, the current route is butting right up against the wall.”