Mayor Scott Wallace called the City Council meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. December 11, 2023, with the Pledge of Allegiance. Council present: Mayor Scott Wallace, Zeb Baumann, Emily Krage, Cody Mathers, and Steve Westby. Staff present: Josh Hongerholt, Brett Hurley, Michelle Quinn, Steve Skifton, and Randy Thesing. A listing of public members present is on file.
Assistant Chief Reappointment: Motion by Mathers, seconded by Krage to approve the reappointment of Brandon Olson and Ken Witt to 2-year terms as Assistant Fire Chief with terms commencing January 1, 2024, and expiring December 31, 2025. Motion carried unanimously.
Police Equipment Proposal: Chief Hurley presented a proposal to purchase a new squad camera system to replace the 2014 system which recently sustained damage, two tasers for department staff due to current equipment having discontinued support, and security cameras. Motion by Westby, seconded by Mathers to approve the purchase of proposed items being, Fleet Camera System, Tasers and Security Cameras utilizing Public Safety Aid grant funding. Motion carried unanimously.
Truth In Taxation Hearing: The time being 7:05 p.m., Mayor Wallace opened the public truth in taxation hearing.
Clerk/Administrator Quinn provided a statement and the option for those wishing to better understand the budget and levy that a copy of the written report would be provided.
There being no further public comment, motion by Krage, seconded by Mathers to close the public hearing and reconvene in regular session. Motion carried unanimously. The time was 7:08 p.m.
Final Budget & Levy: Motion by Mathers, seconded by Westby to adopt the final budget, levy, and adopt the following resolution. Motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION 2023-15
ADOPTING FINAL 2024 BUDGET AND FINAL TAX LEVY,
COLLECTABLE IN 2024
Be It Resolved by the city council of the City of Houston, County of Houston, Minnesota, adopts the Preliminary 2024 Budget and that the following sums of money be levied for the current year, collectable in 2024, upon the taxable property in the City of Houston, for the following purposes:
General Fund 198,000
Library Fund 40,500
Ambulance Fund 10,000
Fire Fund 20,000
Park/Rec Fund 5,500
Nature Center Fund 51,000
Vehicle Fund 20,000
Infrastructure Fund 26,000
2016A Ellsworth Street Bond 73,900
2017A Street & Utility Improvement Bond 55,600
2020 MiEnergy Loan 30,000
2020B Lincoln Street Reconstruction Bond 33,100
2020C Community Center Renovation Bond 18,700
Total Levy $582,300
Certification of Delinquent City Bills: Motion by Krage, seconded by Westby to approve the delinquent city bills as presented and adopt the following resolution. Motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION 2023-16
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:
Owner’s Name: Parcel #: Amount:
Christopher Chapel 24.0063.000 $160.73
Howard Loveless 24.0093.000 $1,017.29
Michael Norquist 24.0129.000 $2,034.11
David Green 24.0136.000 $299.26
Carly Rodriquez 24.0235.000 $2,475.78
Sean Lucey 24.0258.000 $2,148.34
Caiden Olson 24.0260.000 $1,291.43
Shane Loken 24.0409.000 $207.06
Nikki Siegler 24.9007.000 $1,823.04
Rogeena Hurst 24.9009.000 $123.46
Summer Recreation 2024 Season: Motion by Baumann, seconded by Mathers to accept the resignation of Dale Moga and to authorize a competitive search for Summer Recreation Director for the 2024 season at the same rate as 2023. Motion carried unanimously.
Ambulance Agreement and Commitment to Serve & Hardship Waiver: Motion by Mathers, seconded by Westby to approve a partial hardship waiver in the amount of $1,100 for Annette Dulek to participate in the Riverland Community College EMT Course being hosted in Spring Grove, Minnesota and beginning January 11, 2024, contingent upon her submitting a signed Agreement and Commitment to Serve and to approve the agreement and authorize appropriate signatures on the same. Motion carried with Krage abstaining.
Flagpole Donation: Motion by Westby, seconded by Baumann to approve the installation of the flagpole with solar lighting in the flowerbed near the Houston Nature Center Building, and to accept the donation from Ron and Rae Evenson. Motion carried unanimously.
Library Sponsored Toy Exchange: Motion by Krage, seconded by Baumann to authorize the library’s proposed toy swap and approve the flyer as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Tree Board Survey: Motion by Baumann, seconded by Westby to approve the survey as presented and authorize its dissemination. Motion carried unanimously.
Audit Service Letter of Understanding: Motion by Mathers, seconded by Krage to accept the Smith Schafer audit terms as presented and authorize the appropriate signature on the letter of understanding. Motion carried unanimously.
PFAS Litigation: Motion by Mathers, seconded by Baumann no support for continued participation in the class action and no spending of city funds for the requested testing. Motion carried unanimously.
Minutes and Bills: Motion by Krage, seconded by Baumann to approve the minutes of the November 13, 2023, regular meeting, and bills as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Items to be Placed on File: Motion by Baumann, seconded by Westby to place on file the following items. Motion carried unanimously.
Library Updates and Information, and circulation statistics
Pursuant to 13D.05 subd. 3 c (1) and (2), motion by Krage, seconded by Westby to convene in closed session to discuss the asking price for real property to be should by the government entity and to review confidential nonpublic appraisal data. Motion carried unanimously. The subject property includes parts of parcels 24.0030.000, 24.0499.000, and 24.0502.005 which the International Owl Center wishes to acquire.
The time being 8:27, the council reconvened in open session.
The following individuals returned to the council chambers, Fillmore County Journal Reporter Wanda Hanson, and Karla Bloem.
It was stated, the purpose of the closed session was to discuss the asking price for real property to be sold by the government entity and to review confidential nonpublic appraisal data related to parts of parcels 24.0030.000, 24.0499.000, and 24.0502.005.
Motion by Mathers, seconded by Baumann to empower committee members Krage and Westby, to negotiate with the International Owl Center for the purchase of the described property based on closes session discussion. Motion carried unanimously.
Adjourn: Motion by Baumann, seconded by Westby to adjourn the meeting at 8:28 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. The next regular meeting of the Council is scheduled for Monday, January 8, 2024.
By: Scott Wallace, Mayor
Attest: Michelle Quinn, Clerk/Administrator
Above proceedings are only a summary. Full text is available for public inspection at City Hall as well as the following website: www.houston.govoffice.com
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