As the Houston City Council began the new year with their meeting January 11, 2021, they heard from several citizens regarding the planned OHV Trail. Reacting to earlier statements made in December against the trail, John and Eileen Loken, owners of Loken’s Sawmill Inn, appeared to speak in favor of the trail.
Eileen Loken commented that the number of visitors had dropped at their inn during the last year, and it wasn’t just due to the pandemic. Their nearby Rushford Inn had not dropped as drastically; it had seen vacationers visiting other towns in the area staying there. Loken asked if there was a planned feedback process for the trail, suggesting that adaptions could be made based on such feedback. “It’s a bigger risk not to do it (the trail)! We need people to come here!”
Marlene Schultz, whose property is located near the access of the proposed trail, spoke as well to support the Lokens. Schultz declared, “We need more than one thing to bring people to Houston. We need to attract other types of people to Houston — not just one type.”
In less than half an hour, the Houston City Council efficiently conducted the rest of their official business. Re-elected council member Emily Krage and Mayor David Olson were sworn in before the meeting began.
Appointments and committees for the new year were set with little discussion. Since the Houston Banner will no longer be published, a new official newspaper needed to be chosen in which to publish the official minutes of the council. After considering the prices of area papers The Caledonia Argus, The Fillmore County Journal, and Houston County News, the council chose the Caledonia Argus as the official paper. The Argus will be publishing the minutes in their shopper which is delivered free to all Houston homes.
A business and occupational health services agreement was entered into with Gundersen Health System. The agreement lists the prices for the services available. There was no cost to the agreement; fees will be billed only for services actually used.
Mayor Olson reported on repairs made to the city mower by SEMA Equipment. According to Olson, the bill originally came in at over $9,000. The motor was bad, valves were shot, sensors were bad, the head needed to be redone, and the mower was no longer under warranty. After discussion with SEMA, the bill was reduced to $7,850.
Other business
In other business the council:
• Decided to advertise for a summer recreation director for the city;
• Resolved to accept donations given to the city by individuals and organizations totaling over $125,167;
• Heard from City Maintenance Superintendent Randy Thesing that the Christmas decorations had been taken down and Christmas trees had been hauled to the burn center.
Houston City Council will meet February 8, 2021, at city hall. Citizens are welcome to attend.
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