The Houston County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, February 22, from 9-10:20 a.m. at the historic county courthouse in downtown Caledonia.
Commissioners in attendance include Chairman Greg Myhre, Teresa Walter, Robert (Bob) Burns, Eric Johnson, and Dewey Severson.
Chairman Myhre called the meeting to order and led the commissioners and the public in the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioners approved the February 22 meeting agenda and the minutes from the February 8 board meeting and February 15 workgroup session.
Houston County has three new employees. Annette Christian is rehired as a 67-day temporary employee to assist with the 2022 elections. Her responsibilities include attending mandatory trainings and performing election related work. Effective February 28, 2022, Dianna Sunnes is the new adult services social worker and Erin Woods is a child support officer, effective March 3, 2022. Both Sunnes and Woods positions are contingent upon successfully completing a criminal background check.
Commissioners approved the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP)/Diversionary Work Program (DWP) contract with Workforce Development Inc. (WDI). Participating families received cash assistance. Employment and training are required.
County Engineer, Brian Pogodzinski, presented five purchase requests for new equipment. The requests include trade-ins. Pogodzinski explained, “New equipment reduces maintenance costs, comes with a warranty, and provides for a trade-in option.” All five requests were approved. The new equipment includes a John Deere 325G compact tractor loader for the price of $60,709.37 from Midwest Machinery Co., a John Deere Compact track loader for a price of $5,000 from Midwest Machinery Co., a 2023 Mack Granite 64FR (T) TA snowplow truck from Nuss Truck and Equipment for a total of $142,289.32, a box, plows, and lights for the 2023 snowplow truck from Towmaster, and a 2022 Towmaster trailer T-40 from RDO Equipment Co. for a grand total of $43,579.80. These costs are before trade-ins.
The three change orders, #35, #36, and #38R for the new highway facility were all unanimously approved.
Commissioners approved terminating the current 2021-2023 agreement and approving the 2022-2024 Labor Agreement between the County of Houston and Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc., Local #60.
Kruger explained that the county received one application to fill the vacant position on the Houston County Planning Commission formerly held by Bob Conway. The commission moved to approve the appointment of Joshua Gran for a three-year term. His term will run from February 2022 through December 31, 2024.
Martin Herrick, Environmental Services director, was issued a credit as requested by Finance director Carol Lapham.
Lapham explained that the 2021 Audit Engagement letter from Office of the State Auditor (OSA) is a letter signed by the county each year. Commissioners unanimously approve the letter and authorize the signatures of Board Chair Myhre and Finance Director Lapham.
Commissioners approved the following ARPA fund distributions: $50,000 each to the nursing homes in Caledonia, Spring Grove, Houston, and La Crescent for a total of $200,000. Commissioners emphasized that the funds are to be used in Houston County; $44,000 was approved for County’s Informational Technology (IT) department; $50,000 was approved for Semcac.
The next meeting of the Houston County Commission is Tuesday, March 1, at 9 a.m. in the County Commission Board Room 222 located on the second floor in the Historic County Courthouse, Caledonia, or via the county conference call line (312) 626-6700 and enter ID: 994-7297-7175 and password 368422. The public is invited to attend.
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