Larry Kirch of the Citizen Exploratory Commission for the Root River Trail Extension presented the group’s 2025-2026 report to the Houston City Council at their regular council meeting on October 13. This exploratory group was created with a memorandum of agreement between La Crescent, Hokah, Houston County and Houston. The group eventually chose to use a trail plan created by the DNR in 2011.
Currently, the group is working on applications for grants to fund the extension of the trail. So far this has been unsuccessful. They have also written bills for Davids/Miller to present at the state legislature. The group hopes to get $4 million in order to begin the project; this would not cover the entire cost. It’s estimated that a trail from La Crescent to Houston will cost $25 million.
La Crescent, Hokah and Houston County had already all approved creating the Joint Powers Board which would consist of four elected officials and four citizens. The Houston council approved joining the Joint Powers Board as well. Next year the citizen commission will dissolve and the Joint Powers Board will take over. This board is modeled after the Cannon River Trail’s.
There will be no financial implications for the city. If a grant is approved, the board could get a grant application note in order to fund work before the actual money arrives, but each city and the county would need to approve such action at that time.
2027 Water and Sewer Rates
The council discussed the utility rate recommendations for 2027. City Administrator Michelle Quinn recommended an increase of 11.5% for water and 7% for sewer.
Mike Bubany, a financial advisor of David Drown Associates, has recommended the city raise rates for the past several years. Councilwoman Emily Krage pointed out that if the council had followed his recommendations, they would have had enough money in the funds to cover the necessary reserves requested by PFA for the city’s share of the Spruce Street project. Now they need to play catch-up.
Quinn pointed out that these enterprise funds have been on a “positive trajectory.”
Councilman Danny Todd brought up the fact that enterprise funds are not supposed to be funded by the general fund.
Mayor Krin Abraham pointed out that if they went with the proposed increase, they would need to do another slightly larger increase the following year.
The council decided to wait on any action until next month’s meeting. They want to get accurate examples of what the actual increase would be for an average household and think about how those increases will affect citizens. The rates will need to go into effect in 2027. Abraham asked, “How much of the elephant can we chew off?”
Stump Grinder Purchased
The council approved the purchase of a stump grinder for the city. In the past, the city would pay half the expenses of the removal of condemned trees on the boulevard, but the homeowner was responsible for the cost to remove stumps.
A bid of $7,250 from Hammel Equipment in Rushford for a 24” cutting wheel stump driver was accepted. City employees will now be able to grind the stumps on the boulevards and at city parks. This will encourage the replacement of trees. The tree board plans to offer grants to help with tree replacement.
Public Comment
Fred Beseler, Rod Torgerson and Karla Bloem addressed the council during the public comment period.
Beseler requested the installation of four-way stop signs at the intersection of Elm and Ellsworth Streets; he was concerned that fast drivers would hit a child there.
Rod Torgerson from Farmers Win Co-op, and president of the Chamber of Commerce, complained that the recent installation of a diesel fuel tank at the co-op had taken six months rather than the expected three months. He said working with CMS had become an arduous task and asked to make sure Houston was “business friendly.”
Karla Bloem shared correspondence she had received from DNR about the OHV project. She felt it needed to be referred to the OHV Exit Committee. One person is no longer able to serve on the committee so the council will need to appoint a replacement.
Other business
In other business, the council:
• Approved a mutual aid agreement with Rushford for ambulance staffing; this agreement clearly spells out what the two city’s ambulances have been doing;
• Accepted with thanks the resignation of Joelle Hammann from the ambulance crew;
• Approved liquor licenses for JT’s Corner Bar & Grill and American Legion Post 423 contingent on the receipt of required insurance information;
• Approved the solicitation of newspaper bids for 2027;
• Approved the advertising of the two open firefighter positions on the fire department as well as the advertising of the summer park and rec director position;
• Approved beginning work on a new comprehensive plan for the city with Bolton & Menk (the last plan was created 20 years ago); Mayor Abraham wants the plan to be a living document to be used as the city does its work;
• Decided to wait until next month to go out for bids for the Lead Service Line Replacement project.
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