Commissioners Dewey Severson, Eric Johnson, Robert Burns, Teresa Walter, and Greg Myhre were present via computer at the March 9 regular meeting of the Houston County Commission.
COVID-19 update
Heather Myhre, Houston County Public Health Department supervisor, started by stating that, “Beginning Wednesday, Minnesota is expanding who can get the vaccine.” Category 1B is opening, including high-risk individuals and critical infrastructure, such as education, childcare, food/agricultural processors, and high-risk individuals.
According to the Minnesota Public Health online dashboard, Houston County is one of the top 10 counties in Minnesota getting the vaccine out.
This Friday, March 12, the County is holding a second-dose clinic, and on Thursday, there is a first-dose clinic. Thursday’s clinic is 200 doses, and Friday’s clinic is 500 doses.
Minnesota launched www.vaccineconnector.mn.gov, an online registration platform that is live. The focus is on residents 65 and older. The county is working with that list to get the vaccine in arms as soon as possible.
Seventy-nine percent of the county’s population over 65 has been vaccinated. John Pugleasa, Houston County Public Health director, mentioned again this week that “it has been a community effort.”
The county does not have the Johnson & Johnson vaccine yet.
The commissioners publicly thanked Houston County Public Health for the great job vaccinating the county’s residents.
Consent agenda
Human Resources director, Theresa Arrick-Kruger, recommends that commissioners approve the department’s request to initiate a competitive search for Tech Clerk I for the assessor’s office. The position is full-time. The commissioners approved.
Arrick-Kruger recommended that the commissioners approve changing the employment status of Kimberly Rommes, case aide, from probationary to regular, Public Health & Human Services, effective March 22, 2021. The commissioners approved.
Action items
Commissioners approved Cooperative Purchasing Venture (CPV) for Road Salt. Engineer Brian Pogodzinski recommended purchasing 2,600 tons of road salt, a 200-ton reduction from last year. The order needs to be submitted to the state by March 21, 2021. In answer to commissioners’ questions, the county is down 500 tons from two years ago, and the price of road salt increases 3% to 4% a year. The county must take 80% of what is ordered and order up to 125% if needed.
Commissioners approved awarding the low bid, $55,001 for FAA AIP No 3-27-0016-09-21, SP A2803-33 for the Airport Runway 13/31 Culvert Lining Project contingent on FAA grant funding. Commissioners were pleased to see the numbers came in over $23,000 lower than expected. The grant is a 90/10 split between the county and FAA.
The 2020 Feedlot Program Annual Report and Financial Report has been approved by Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and requires commission approval. Amelia Meiners, Houston County Ag Inspector, shared the report with commissioners. Houston County has one MPCA staff member located within the county. MPCA still has oversight, training, and evaluation. “We are a resource for anything that comes up during the year.” In 2020, Houston County issued three interim permits – Tom Hoscheit, Brad Olinger, and Bob Koch. Meiners stated that “they got in a workshop last spring before COVID-19 hit.” Throughout the year, she also did compliance inspections. There were two pits constructed last year. The commissioners approved.
The Houston County EDA board met Tuesday morning, March 9, before the commission meeting to award the remaining $55,399.71 of the Houston County State Business Relief Grant to county businesses. Board Clerk, Allison Wagner, informed the commissioners that EDA received 63 applications and one application that came in after the deadline. All 63 applications were awarded funds. All the funds received, $367,594.71, in 2021 were awarded.
The Houston County Commission’s next meeting is Tuesday, March 23, at 9 a.m. The public is invited to dial-in. Contact Donna Trehus, (507) 725-5803 to be included in remote meetings.
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