Hennepin County Aid To Municipalities Program (CAM)

.What is the CAM Program ?

In 1957, Hennepin County established a program to provide financial assistance for roadways and bridges to towns/cities under 5,000 population. The program is called County Aid to Municipalities (CAM). The authority to distribute county funds for this function is contained in State Statutes 164.03, and 383B.608.
The primary purpose of the CAM program is to provide monetary assistance to cities that were not eligible for funding through the State Aid program due to their population. CAM reimburses towns/cities for eligible street project costs.
Eligible Towns / Cities

Currently, the following 20 communities in Hennepin County have less than 5,000 persons based on the 2005 Census estimate, and are thus eligible for CAM funds:

Project Qualifications

To be eligible projects must qualify under the following criteria:

1. The project must reside at least in part within an eligible CAM town/city listed above.
2. The proposed project must be located on or along a street identified on the approved CAM system map for that community.
3. The improvements can include activities for items such as street, bridge, trail, or sidewalk construction. 

CAM System Maps

Each town/city must annually review and update their CAM street system map showing all existing and proposed streets. On the map the municipality shall indicate proposed CAM streets. Communities are responsible for notifying Hennepin County of any proposed changes to the CAM system map.

The Hennepin County Transportation Department will review and approve the CAM system proposals. Projects on streets not identified as part of the CAM system will not receive funding approvals.

Streets in the CAM system should provide an integrated and coordinated system affording a network consistent with local traffic demands, and should connect to State or County highways, other CAM streets, or major points of interest (e.g. schools, parks, public buildings, etc.). The CAM network should be spaced at reasonable intervals consistent with existing or projected land uses. Cul-de-sacs and dead-end streets would normally not be eligible for inclusion as part of the CAM system unless they serve a major point of interest.  

Reimbursement Process

The CAM reimbursement process has the following steps:

1. Proposed improvements on the CAM system should be submitted to the Hennepin County Transportation Department for initial approval of eligibility prior to construction. Submittals should be made on the form provided in the annual information packet, and include information on location, project scope, and a cost estimate.
2. County staff will check project eligibility and status of any deficient bridges within the jurisdiction. County policy requires that a town/city must program for the repair or replacement of structurally deficient municipal bridges before funding will be approved for road or street projects. Communities will have been previously notified of any deficient bridges within their jurisdiction as part of the annual CAM allocation notice.
3. The Town/City is given written approval response that the project is eligible for CAM reimbursement.
4. After project completion, reimbursement requests should then be submitted to the County. The submittal should also include a final cost statement or invoice for the project.
5. The County will inspect the construction work and confirm that eligible project costs were incurred. Hennepin County will then process a payment request and reimburse the city. Reimbursement is limited to the lesser of the project cost or the accrued allocation.
6. Communities are allowed to accrue up to 3 years of annual CAM allocations. Under special circumstances, a one or two year extension to the 3 year time period can be requested by the City. Funding needs for upcoming programmed projects or difficulties with scheduling are examples of valid reasons for requesting an extension of this accrual period.

Contacts for More Information

Download the "County Aid to Municipalities (CAM) Request for Approval" form.

Questions or requests for more information about the CAM program can be found in this CAM Brochure or you can contact:

• Robert H. Byers, P.E.
  Senior Transportation Engineer
  Hennepin County Public Works
  1600 Prairie Drive Medina, MN 55340-5421
  Phone: (612) 596-0354
  FAX: (763) 478-4000
• James Gay
  Senior Engineering Technician
  Phone: (612) 596-0357
  FAX: (763) 478-4000