At the March 28 Houston County Commission meeting, commissioners approved County Engineer Brian Pogodzinski’s request to purchase salt through the Cooperative Purchasing Venture (VPV). The board also accepted the low quote for liquid chloride and the low quote from MP Asphalt Maintenance for CP 2023-04 for crack filling. According to Pogodzinski, the following roads are scheduled to be repaired, CSAH 3, CSAH 33, CSAH 8, CSAH 26 (east and west), and CSAH 15. In addition, commissioners approved the bid from Sir Lines-A-Lot for pavement marking. Sir Lines-A-Lot was one of three bids received. The other bidders were Fahrner Asphalt Sealers and MnDot.
Commissioner Severson called the Houston County commission meeting to order at 9 a.m. and led his fellow commissioners and the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. The board approved the meeting agenda as amended and the minutes from the March 14, regularly scheduled commission meeting and the workgroup session on March 21, with two changes. Following the meeting, it was confirmed that the no-wake ordinance public hearing scheduled for Wednesday, March 29, starts at 5 p.m., as reported in the workgroup minutes.
Commissioners in attendance include Chairman Dewey Severson, Eric Johnson, Robert (Bob) Burns and Greg Myhre. Commissioner Bob Schuldt was absent.
Auditor/Treasurer Donna Trehus invited Scott Kingsford, Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc., to present an overview of the current financial market. Afterwards, Trehus reviewed the county’s cash and investment accounts and answered commissioners’ questions.
Evangelical Church of Peace, 3272 County 249, members Howard Lampert and David Winnes appeared before the commission to ask the county to install a guard rail on County 249 near the church to prevent vehicles from running off the road into the cemetery, the church, or the arch. Using photos and a diagram of the road before and after being redesigned in 2008-2009, Pogodzinski explained the road’s layout, the bank’s slope, and the location of the cemetery, church, and arch. He also pointed out the fence. Pogodzinski explained the state and federal guidelines regarding guardrails. Pogodzinski added that in the past 10 years, there had been one documented accident on that stretch of the road. Therefore, Pogodzinski does not recommend installing a guardrail. However, he is open to putting a fence back up, causing commissioners to ask who would pay for it. The request to install a guardrail or a fence was tabled to give staff time to gather information on the cost of installing a fence or guardrail.
Pogodzinski presented a petition and waiver agreement from the City of Caledonia regarding the 304 Marshall Street project. The board approved the bid from Zenke Construction for the project at a total cost of $296,165.05. The country’s portion is $275,573.19, and the city’s portion for surface paving the one block of East Washington adjance to the courthouse parking lot is $ 20,591.86. Following the agreement with the county the city passed an assessment policy for vaious public improvements; thus, the reason for the petition and waiver agreement. City of Caledonia public works/zoning director Casey Klug explained, “The county would bill us back for the full portion, and we will assess the 25% to the two property owners.” The other property owner has agreed that it is a good idea. Klug confirmed that the two property owners would split 25% of the total project cost. The county’s share would be approximately $2,600. The board unanimously approved the agreement.
In other business, the board:
• Approved the quote from Ness Pumping & Porta-Potty Rentals to install portable bathrooms at Wildcat Park and Bob Botcher Park.
• Approved sending a letter to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) requesting $500,000 to complete a roadway access rehabilitation project and bathroom addition to Wildcat Park and Resolution No. 23-12 Houston County Request for Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) Funding to submit a funding proposal.
• Accepted $3,770.00 in donations for the Extension Tesmer Farm Safety Day. The donors were thanked for their generous donations.
• Approved an off-site gambling permit application for the Lancer Youth Hockey Association. The group is holding a benefit for Hayden Beach, who has cancer, on April 29 at The Barn on Southridge, 7442 County 25 Blvd., La Crescent.
• Approved two ARPA fund distributions – $8,000.00 for childcare training and $100,000.00 for capital improvement projects at the county fairgrounds.
Chairman Severson called to adjourn the meeting at 11:45 a.m.
The next regularly scheduled Houston County Commission meeting is Tuesday, April 4, 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 enter ID: 994-7297-7175 and password 368422. Public attendees are requested to mute their line until addressed.
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