Mayor Dave Olson called the City Council meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. May 9, 2022, with the Pledge of Allegiance. Council present: Mayor David Olson, Cody Mathers, Tony Schultz, and Emily Krage. Staff present: Michelle Quinn, Randy Thesing, Steve Skifton and Brett Hurley. A listing of public members present is on file.
Wastewater Treatment Plant: Motion by Krage seconded by Schultz to pay estimate #13 from Wapasha Construction Co. in the amount of $137,624.80. Motion carried unanimously.
Variance Request for 114 West Maple Street: On the recommendation of the Planning Board, motion by Schultz, seconded by Mathers to approve the variance request and building permit application of Jacob Erickson and adopt the following resolution. Motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-08
ADOPTING FINDINGS OF FACT AND REASONS FOR APPROVAL
FOR VARIANCE APPLICATION OF JACOB ERICKSON AT 114 WEST MAPLE STREET
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Houston, Minnesota, that the application to issue a variance to allow the construction of the fence with conditions as recommended by the Planning Commission, so as to deviate from City Code §151.57 is hereby approved; and
NOW THERFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Houston, Minnesota that the Fence Permit Application is hereby approved.
Native Seed Collection: Motion by Krage, seconded by Schultz to accept the bid submitted by Dan Smith and Alan Wade for 10% of final cleaned seed deposited into the city’s Prairie Moon Nursery consignment account and including weeding beds around the Nature Center building with the addition of plants as needed and award native prairie seed collection privileges for a 3-year period expiring the end of calendar year 2024. Motion carried unanimously.
Personnel Items:
Nature Center Assistant: Motion by Mathers seconded by Krage to affirm the hire of Lynne Farmer as a Nature Center Assistant at a rate of $10.50 per hour. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Schultz, seconded by Mathers to move forward with an interview and hiring process and to offer the position contingent upon the candidate meeting all requirements, having favorable references and at the advertised rate of $10.50 per hour. Motion carried unanimously.
Following discussion, motion by Schultz, seconded by Krage to contract with Therese Jore to work as a Library Assistant on an as needed basis during a period when the librarian is scheduled out of the office with any contract expenditures to remain within budget. Motion carried unanimously.
Summer Rec: Motion by Schultz, seconded by Mathers to hire all Summer Rec staff upon receiving recommendation by CEDA. Motion carried unanimously.
Pay Equity Report: Motion by Schultz, seconded by Krage to authorize the submission of the Pay Equity Report and the signature of the Mayor on the same. Motion carried unanimously.
Property/Liability Insurance Renewal – Waiver of Liability Limit: Motion by Mathers, seconded by Krage to waive the monetary limits on municipal tort liability established by M.S. 466.04, to the extent of the limits of the liability coverage obtained from LMCIT. Motion carried unanimously.
Temporary Liquor License: Motion by Mathers, seconded by Schultz to approve, authorize submission of and signature on the application and permit for a 1 day to 4 day temporary on-sale liquor license for Houston Hoedown Days for an event to be held July 29 through 31, 2022. Motion carried unanimously.
Summer Concert Series: Motion by Schultz, seconded by Mathers to approve making an in-kind donation equal to the ordinance established rental fee for each night of the Summer Concert Series. Motion carried unanimously.
Non-profit Use of City Rental Facilities Policy: Motion by Mathers, seconded Schultz to approve use of city rental facilities by the Friends of the Nature Center at a reduced rate being $20 for either the Nature Center Meeting Room and/or Trailhead Park shelter. Motion carried unanimously.
Yard Waste Drop Site Location: Motion by Schultz, seconded by Mathers to move the city yard waste collection area to the proposed site on Westgate Drive. Motion carried unanimously.
Minutes and Bills: Motion by Krage, seconded by Mathers to approve the minutes of the April 11, 2022, regular meeting, and bills as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Items to be Placed on File: Motion by Krage, seconded by Schultz to place on file the following items. Motion carried unanimously.
Library minutes Marcy 29th and April 12th, Library statistics, May Library update, Summer Reading Programming, Computer Replacement Needs
Incident Summary by Incident Type
Replacement of Damaged Lamppost: Motion by Schultz, seconded by Mathers to accept the quote submitted by Hoskins Electric Inc. in the amount of $6,938.00 for installation of a new, best match LED lamppost to replace the one destroyed when it was struck by a vehicle. Motion carried unanimously.
Fire Department Staff change to Regular: Motion by Schultz, seconded Mathers to approve both Mitch Seekamp and Carter Chiglo for regular status. Motion carried unanimously.
Adjourn: Motion by Schultz, seconded by Mathers to adjourn the meeting at 6:58 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. The next regular meeting of the Council is scheduled for Monday, June 13, 2022.
By: David Olson, Mayor
Attest: Michelle Quinn, Clerk/Administrator
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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