Houston County election staff received recognition for their hard work and dedication during the November 3 Houston County Commission meeting.
County Coordinator Brent Parker took time to recognize and praise Auditor-Treasurer Polly Heberlein, Deputy Auditor/Treasurer Melissa Burrow, and Election Workers Celeste Abbott and Leilani Losli, along with all election judges, Ballot Board members and Canvassing Board members for their efforts throughout the election process.
“They’ve been doing a really good job orchestrating and coordinating the chaos of elections while being short staffed and doing it with a smile,” Parker said. “They’re doing a great job and still managing the auditor-treasurer’s office. Big kudos to them!”
Routine Business
Chairman Greg Myhre called the meeting to order at 9 a.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
All commissioners were in attendance: Cindy Wright, Eric Johnson, Kurt Zehnder, Bob Schuldt and Chairman Myhre.
The board unanimously approved the meeting agenda and the minutes from the October 27 Houston County Board of Commissioners meeting.
The board unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included:
• Hiring Samantha Schalow as a Home and Community-Based Services Social Worker.
• Hiring Linda Johnson as a 6-day election judge.
• Reviewing and paying the bills.
Action Items
La Crescent could be getting a little more room for walkers and bicyclists along Main Street if the city’s funding application is successful.
The board approved Resolution #26-30, providing a letter of support for the City of La Crescent’s application for Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) funding. The funding would help cover the cost of reconstructing Main Street between Walnut Street and County State Aid Highway 29.
County Engineer Brian Pogodzinski presented the request, explaining that La Crescent would like to add an 8- to 10-foot bike path and walking trail along the south side of Main Street. Pogodzinski described the proposed addition as, “essentially just widening the sidewalk.”
The board also approved Resolution #26-31, offering its support for La Crescent’s application for 2026-2027 Active Transportation funding through the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). The funding would help the city move forward, with pedestrian improvement projects in La Crescent aimed at making local streets and walkways safer and more accessible. This item was also presented by Pogodzinski.
Discussion Items
A significant portion of the meeting focused on the proposed Gopher to Badger 765-kV Transmission Project stemming from conversations at the District 9 meeting. Commissioners reviewed the project’s status, concerns raised by the county, regulatory authority and potential steps the bord could take as the project moves forward.
Commissioner Wright shared information she received shortly before the meeting about a new bill introduced in the U.S. Senate on September 30, Senate Bill 5653. She noted that a vote is anticipated on November 9. The legislation would streamline and expedite the permitting process for transmission lines, pipelines and other energy infrastructure, including natural gas, oil and hydrogen pipelines. Wright also shared the bill tracker with her colleagues for those interested in following its progress: www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/5653, for more information.
Wright emphasized the importance of continuing to provide input on the project, saying, “We need to submit more information because, otherwise, we’re kind of stopping at our letter of resolution that was submitted last spring.”
County Coordinator Parker reviewed the timeline and explained that he plans to put together a game plan for each step, outlining what information the county should submit throughout the permitting process and bring those recommendations back to the commissioners. This would include preparing for the route permit application, developing comments for the anticipated public comment period and identifying issues the county wants addressed as part of the environmental impact statement.
The importance of meeting with local townships and Pogodzinski to coordinate concerns and involvement throughout the permitting process was stressed. There are unanswered questions regarding the construction phase and crossing roads, which will impact county and township roads.
The board also reviewed the shotgun-only requirements after commissioners and County Coordinator Parker reported receiving numerous phone calls seeking clarification on the shotgun-only versus rifle ordinance for deer hunting. Commissioner Johnson asked, “We need to make it clear that Houston County is shotgun-only, but according to state law, a rifle in pistol form is still legal, correct?”
Commissioner Zehnder confirmed, “That is correct. So, the same rules apply as last year and the year before that. What was allowed then in pistol form is still allowed today.”
The meeting was adjourned at 9:42 a.m.
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