Photo by Photo by Charlene Corson Selbee
At its June 25 commission meeting, Houston County Commissioners authorized a temporary 30-day emergency no wake zone on the Mississippi River within the county.
Sheriff Brian Swedberg explained that he spoke with County Attorney Samuel Jandt, and they proposed extending the no wake zone to cover the entire Mississippi within Houston County during flood conditions. It will be the same as La Crosse County, anything over 10 feet is consider no wake.
Swedberg assured the commissioners that the temporary no wake zone could be lifted before the 30-day period if the conditions improve.
Sheriff Swedberg and County Engineer Brian Pogodzinski briefed commissioners on the current flooding situation in Houston County. They emphasized that the minimal flood damage does not warrant a disaster declaration for the county. Additionally, Wildcat Landing will be closed temporarily starting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 25, until further notice, as flooding is expected to cause water to overflow onto the road leading to the park.
Chairman Eric Johnson called the regularly scheduled meeting to order at 9 a.m. and lead his colleagues and the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
All board members were in attendance: Dewey Severson, Chairman Johnson, Robert (Bob) Burns, and Greg Myhre. Bob Schuldt attended the meeting though he was unable to vote since his participation via Zoom had not been publicized as required.
Commissioners approved the agenda as amended and the minutes from the June 18, regularly scheduled board meeting. For the second time in one year, there were no items on the consent agenda.
Millie Frie was recognized and thanked for her 20 years of service as auditor designee on the County Extension Committee, spanning from January 2003 to December 2023. Lisa Dierks, regional director of University of Minnesota Extension, confirmed that Frie will remain active on the committee moving forward.
Dierks presented the 2025-2027 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with University of Minnesota Extension, highlighting a cost increase. In 2024 the cost was $125,191, rising to $150,000 with a 3% increase in 2026 and 2027. Dierke explained that the package price is increasing because the commissioners’ top concern in the 87 counties served by Extension is “recruiting and retaining high-quality employees hired under these contracts. The commissioners tabled the 2025-2027 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the University of Minnesota Extension until a later date to see what the 87 counties do.
Pogodzinski recommended that the board accept the bid from Zenke, Inc. for the removal of bridge L4038 and the construction of a turnaround on Hauge Hill and Highway 76. Out of seven bids received, Zenke’s low bid of $64,418.76 is notably 27% lower than the engineer’s estimate. Zenke intends to begin work on the project within the next two weeks. Pogodzinski also confirmed that Shelton Township supports the project.
Pogodzinski presented quotes for an Equinox fleet vehicle from Rochester Chevrolet and Lewiston Auto. Motion by Commissioner Severson and seconded by Commissioner Burns to approve the purchase of a white 2024 Equinox LT all-wheel drive from Lewiston Auto for a total of $32,069.94. Motion carried.
In other business, the board:
• Approved the Houston County election emergency plan. Interim Auditor/Treasurer Polly Heberlein noted that the plan must undergo an annual review, and is due to the state office by July 1, 2024.
• Approved Finance Director Carol Lapham’s request to approve the budget amendment using the Recorders Technology fund balance to cover the first half of the 2024 expenditures.
• Approved the county’s disbursements as presented by Lapham.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:36 a.m.
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