PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF HOUSTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Date: Tuesday, June 9, 2020 9:30 a.m.
Place: Commissioners Room, Courthouse, Caledonia, MN
*Virtual Meeting Held due to Peacetime Emergency Declaration in response to COVID-19 Pandemic.
Members Present via Computer: Eric Johnson, Teresa Walter, Jack Miller, Robert Burns, and Greg Myhre
Call to order.
Presiding: Chairman Johnson
Call to order. Pledge of Allegiance.
Burns moved, Walter seconded, unanimously carried to approve the agenda as amended.
Walter moved, Burns seconded, unanimously carried to approve the Minutes from the May 26 Board Meeting.
Walter moved, Myhre seconded, unanimously carried to approve the Minutes from the June 2 Work Group Session.
PH&HS provided an update on the COVID-19 pandemic and state-wide trends. They encouraged everyone to remain vigilant as COVID-19 is still spreading around the state and local areas.
Burns moved, Walter seconded, unanimously carried to approve the Consent Agenda, which consisted of the following items:
1)Approve payment of the License Center and Human Services disbursements and the following claims
County Revenue Fund $86,277.01
Road & Bridge Fund $124,055.34
Total $210,332.35
2)Affirm the following personnel actions:
1.Auditor/Treasurer’s Office
1.Hire Nikki Konkel as a Temporary/Casual employee (67 day) effective June 10, 2020 at a pay rate of A11, Step 2 ($14.30/hr).
ACTION ITEMS
Burns moved, Walter seconded, unanimously carried to approve an Interim Use Permit for Mathy Construction to operate a temporary Bituminous Plant in an Ag District in La Crescent Township with two conditions: 1. The Permittee shall comply with all federal, state and local laws and regulations; 2. Permit expiration shall be December 31, 2020.
Myhre moved, Burns seconded, unanimously carried to approve a Conditional Use Permit for George Kittleson to build a dwelling on less than 40 acres in an Ag District in Sheldon Township, with one conditions: The Permittee shall comply with all federal, state and local laws and regulations.
Burns moved, Myhre seconded, unanimously carried to approve a Conditional Use Permit for Joe Macejik to build a cabin in an Ag District in Houston Township, with one conditions: The Permittee shall comply with all federal, state and local laws and regulations.
Myhre moved, Walter seconded, unanimously carried to approve a Conditional Use Permit for Mark Frickson to operate a custom meat processing and fresh meat market in an Ag District in Money Creek Township, with two conditions: 1. The Permittee shall comply with all federal, state and local laws and regulations; 2. The County may enter onto the premises at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner to ensure the permit holder is in compliance with the conditions and all other applicable statutes, rules, and ordinances.
Burns moved, Miller seconded, unanimously carried to accept the low bid offer for Project SAP 028-625-022 Paving on CSAH 25 (Contract No. 306) from Mathy Construction at a cost of $2,518,951.38.
Myhre moved, Walter seconded, unanimously carried to approve Resolution 20-29 County State Aide Highway Funds Advance.
County State Aid Highway Funds Advance
WHEREAS, the County of Houston is planning to implement County State Aid Street Project(s) in 2020 which will require State Aid funds in excess of those available in its State Aid Regular/Municipal Construction Account, and
WHEREAS, said County is prepared to proceed with the construction of said project(s) through the use of an advance from the County State Aid Construction Fund to supplement the available funds in their State Aid Regular/Municipal Construction Account, and
WHEREAS, the advance is based on the following determination of estimated expenditures:
Account Balance as of June 1, 2020$2,284,727.16
Less estimated disbursements:
Project #028-625-022$2,518,951.38
Project #028-606-024(Federal Portion)$1,680,000.00
Total Estimated Disbursements$4,198,951.38
Advance Amount (amount in excess of acct balance) $1,914,223.84
WHEREAS, repayment of the funds so advanced will be made in accordance with the provisions of Minnesota Statutes 162.08, Subd. 5 & 7 and Minnesota Rules, Chapter 8820, and
WHEREAS, the County acknowledges advance funds are released on a first-come-first-serve basis and this resolution does not guarantee the availability of funds.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners, Houston County, Minnesota, that the of Transportation be and is hereby requested to approve this advance for financing approved County State Aid Highway Project(s) of the County of Houston in an amount up to $1,914,223.84 in accordance with Minnesota Rules 8820.1500, Subp. 9 and hereby authorize repayments from subsequent accruals to the Regular/Municipal Construction Account of said County from future year allocations until fully repaid.
Burns moved, Walter seconded, unanimously carried to approve 30 Property Tax Abatement requests.
Myhre moved, Burns seconded, unanimously carried to approve Resolution 20-30 Authorization to Accept Next Generation E-911 Grant Funds.
AUTHORIZATION TO ACCEPT NEXT GENERATION E-911 GRANT FUNDS
WHEREAS, The Houston County Sheriff’s Office on behalf of Houston County as a member of the Southeast Minnesota Emergency Communications Board, has entered into a contract with the State of MN, Dept of Public Safety, Emergency Communications Division to upgrade the GIS system for Houston County and the PSAP. The contract will run from the approval of this resolution to December 31, 2020, and;
WHEREAS, The Houston County Sheriff and County Assessor (GIS Coordinator) are designated as the Authorized Representatives for the Sheriff’s Office and Houston County. The Authorized Representatives are also authorized to sign any subsequent amendment or agreement that may be required by the State of MN to achieve the requirements of the grant.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Houston County Board of Commissioners accepts the GIS System Upgrade Funds in the amount of $17,000, and;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County Sheriff and County Assessor (GIS Coordinator) are authorized to execute the contracts necessary to complete this upgrade work.
Walter moved, Burns seconded, unanimously carried to approve a contract with Brothers Up North LLC to complete work on the Root River Japanese Hops Project. The Contract amount is $15,040.00, which if funded directly by grant funds.
Walter moved, Miller seconded, unanimously carried to approve Resolution 20-31 Election Equipment Grant Acceptance. This grant provides $12,616.90 for purchase of 13 Electronic Roster devices (poll pads) with a 25% county match of $4,205.63.
AUTHORIZATION TO ACCEPT GRAND FUNDING FOR ELECTION EQUIPMENT
WHEREAS, Minnesota legislature in 2019 authorized an additional $2 Million in grant funding available to counties, cities, towns, and school districts to assist with the purchase of voting equipment. This is in addition to the $7 million that was authorized and distributed in 2017. Similar to the 2017 legislative authorization, the legislature in 2019 authorized use of $2 million in funds to offset up to 50% of optical scan precinct counters, optical scan central counters, or assisted voting devices; or up to 75% of electronic rosters; AND
WHEREAS, by Resolution 20-18, the Houston County Board of Commissioners authorized Auditor/Treasurer Trehus to apply for grant funding in accordance with the requirements of Minnesota Statutes Section 206.95; AND
WHEREAS, the Grant amount awarded to Houston County for purchase of Electronic Rosters amounts to $12,616.90 with a required minimum match of $4,205.63; AND
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Houston County Board of Commissioners authorizes Auditor/Treasurer Trehus to accept grant funding in accordance with the requirements of Minnesota Statutes Section 206.95 and execute the purchase of 13 Electronic Roster devices.
Miller moved, Burns seconded, unanimously carried to approve Amendment 1 of the Airport Maintenance Operations Grant Contract #1033499 to reflect the additional federal CARES Act funding directed towards Airport operations.
Walter moved, Burns seconded, unanimously carried to approve Memorandums of Agreement with LELS Units #60, #237, and #415 for COVID-19 related leave.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Administrator Babinski updated the board on county facility operations and COVID-19 restrictions. He also shared news that there were no proposals received from contractors for the development of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan requested by the board. He would designate a future board workgroup session to re-address completion of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan.
Walter shared news from the District IX meeting. She also attended a public safety committee meeting and has an extension committee meeting scheduled.
Burns requested a Parks Committee meeting to address some of the questions and concerns related to Wildcat Park operations and seasonal camper policies. He also conversed with Caledonia administration about E. Washington Street right-of-way west of the Historic Courthouse building with anticipation of redesigning the entryway and handicap parking access to improve safety. He attended the Recorder’s meeting with an Archiving Company presenting their software and scanning methods.
Miller also addressed the Wildcat Park questions and shared the board would be receiving a letter from the City of La Crescent after their review of the Local Board of Adjustment and Equalization process.
Johnson mentioned the extension committee meeting had been rescheduled and had nothing further to report.
Myhre attended a SEMCAC meeting and relayed some of the personnel changes there. He also inquired about the changing the solid waste collection fees charged to townships and cities and an adjustment of the drop site collection fees. Administrator Babinski said staff was reviewing and would address it in the budgeting process discussions.
Public comment: None
There being no further business and the time being 11:31 a.m., motion was made by Burns, seconded by Myhre, unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting. The next advertised meeting being a Board Workgroup Session on Tuesday, June 19, 2020.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
HOUSTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA
By: Eric Johnson, Chairperson
Attest: Jeffrey Babinski, County Administrator
THE ABOVE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSTON COUNTY BOARD OF COM-MISSIONERS IS ONLY A SUMMARY. THE FULL TEXT IS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AT THE HOUS¬TON COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE AS WELL AS ON THE HOUSTON COUNTY WEBSITE LOCATED AT THE FOLLOWING WEB ADDRESS: http://www.co.houston.mn.us/
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