Mayor Dave Olson called the City Council meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. December 13, 2021, with the Pledge of Allegiance. Council present: Mayor David Olson, Cody Mathers, Tony Schultz, Emily Krage, and Cheryl Sanden. Staff present: Michelle Quinn, Randy Thesing, Steve Skifton, and Brett Hurley.
Truth In Taxation Hearing: The time being 6:00 p.m., Mayor Olson opened the public hearing.
Quinn provided an overview of the budget and final levy.
There being no further public comment, motion by Schultz, seconded by Mathers to close the public hearing and reconvene in regular session. The time was 6:04 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
Wastewater Treatment Plant: Motion by Sanden, seconded by Krage to pay estimate #8 from Wapasha Construction Co. in the amount of $176,882.94. Motion carried unanimously.
Budget and Final Levy 2022: Motion by Mathers, seconded by Schultz to approve the 2022 Budget, Tax Levy Collectable in 2022 and adopt resolution 2021-15. Motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION 2021-15
ADOPTING FINAL BUDGET AND TAX LEVY,
COLLECTABLE IN 2022
Be It Resolved by the city council of the City of Houston, County of Houston, Minnesota, adopts the Final 2022 Budget and that the following sums of money be levied for the current year, collectable in 2022, upon the taxable property in the City of Houston, for the following purposes:
General Fund 188,000
Library Fund38,000
Fire Fund23,000
Park/Rec Fund8,000
Nature Center Fund48,000
Infrastructure/Construction Fund15,000
Vehicle Fund15,000
2016A Ellsworth Street Bond73,200
2017A Street & Utility Improvement Bond55,300
2020 MiEnergy Loan30,000
2020B Lincoln Street Reconstruction Bond37,100
2020C Community Center Renovation Bond18,200
Total Levy $548,800
The city administrator is hereby instructed to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the county auditor of Houston County, Minnesota.
Certification of Delinquent City Bills: Motion by Krage, seconded by Sanden to approve the delinquent city bills as presented and adopt the following resolution. Motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION 2021-16 PLACEMENT OF DELINQUENT UTILITY BILLS UPON THE TAXES OF
RESPECTIVE PROPERTIES WITHIN THE CITY OF HOUSTON,
HOUSTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Administrator be hereby instructed to inform the County Auditor that s/he shall place the following list of delinquent bills upon the taxes levied against the respective properties:
Owners Name: Parcel #: Amount:
Carl Ask Jr.24.0113.000$608.78
Stacy Botcher24.0543.000$2,184.30
Kim Fordahl24.0364.000$248.09
Howard Loveless24.0093.000$3,564.94
Sean Lucey24.0258.000$2,577.15
Luke Morgan24.0319.000$1,257.85
James Peterson24.0180.000$297.59
Nicholas Rahlf24.0295.000$1,683.70
Amanda Reinhart24.0148.000$449.44
Carly Rodriguez24.0235.000$1,750.49
John Wojahn24.9004.000$2,783.74
Ambulance/EMT Training: Motion by Krage, seconded by Schultz to authorize paying EMT training expenses for all individuals who sign the Agreement and Commitment to Serve through 2022. Motion carried unanimously.
Ambulance Collections Agreement: Motion by Schultz, seconded by Mathers to approve the Collection Service/Hold Harmless Agreement with American Accounts & Advisers, Inc. (AAA) and authorize the appropriate signature. Motion carried unanimously.
Audit Service Letter of Understanding: Motion by Sanden, seconded by Mathers to accept the audit terms as presented and authorize the appropriate signature on the letter of understanding. Motion carried unanimously.
Custodian: Motion by Krage, seconded by Schultz to accept the resignation of Amanda Langheinrich, effective January 7, 2022, and authorize a competitive search for a part time custodian. Motion carried unanimously.
Pumper Truck Loan: Motion by Mathers, seconded by Schultz to adopt resolution 2021-17 and affirm authorization of the mayor and administrator signatures on all required documents to complete the loan application and closing processes. Motion carried unanimously.
ARPA Funding: Motion by Schultz, seconded by Sanden to adopt the following resolution. Motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION NO. 2021-18
A RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT THE CORONAVIRUS LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUND ESTABLISHED UNDER THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON, MINNESOTA AS FOLLOWS:
1.The City accepts the additional funds resulting from the re-allocation of unclaimed ARPA funds from the State of Minnesota to use in a manner consistent with the Department of Treasury’s guidance.
2.City staff, together with the Mayor and Council are hereby authorized to take any actions necessary to receive the City’s share of ARPA funds from the State of Minnesota for expenses incurred because of the Pandemic.
3.City staff are hereby authorized to make recommendations to the City Council for future expenditures that may be reimbursed with ARPA funds.
Gambling Permit: Motion by Schultz, seconded by Mathers to approve a gambling permit with no waiting period for the Houston Volunteer Fireman’s Relief Association for an event to be hosted at the Houston Community Center on February 26, 2022, and for Sheldon Valley Sportsmans Association for an event to be hosted at the Houston Community Center on April 2, 2022. Motion carried unanimously.
Designation of Polling Place: Motion by Krage, seconded by Sanden to adopt resolution 2021-19 Designating the Annual City Election Polling Place. Motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION 2021-19
A Resolution of the Houston City Council Designating the Annual City
Elections Polling Place
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council that the Community Center located at 111 West Cedar Street is designated as the City of Houston’s polling place.
2022 Meeting Schedule: Motion by Sanden, seconded by Schultz to approve the 2022 meeting schedule with changes as noted. Motion carried unanimously.
2022 Rates Flaherty & Hood P.A.: Motion by Sanden, seconded by Mathers to accept the 2022 Hourly Rate Schedule provided by Flaherty & Hood P.A.. Motion carried unanimously.
Minutes and Bills: Motion by Krage, seconded by Schultz to approve the minutes of the November 8, 2021, regular meeting, December 6, 2021, special meeting and bills as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Items to be Placed on File: Motion by Mathers, seconded by Krage to place on file the following items. Motion carried unanimously.
Minutes of October 27, 2021, Fire Meeting
Monthly Library Statistics for September, October, November, and December
Adjourn: Motion by Schultz, seconded by Sanden to adjourn the meeting at 6:41 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. The next regular meeting of the Council is scheduled for Monday, January 10, 2022.
Above proceedings are only a summary. Full text available for public inspection at City Hall as well as the following website: www.houston.govoffice.com.
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