Mayor Scott Wallace called the City Council meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. January 12, 2026, with the Pledge of Allegiance. Council present: Mayor Scott Wallace, Zeb Baumann, Emily Krage, and Danny Todd. Staff present: Curtis Chapel, Josh Hongerholt, Brett Hurley, and Michelle Quinn. A list of public members present is on file.
Lead Service Line Replacement Project Work Order #1: Motion by Krage, seconded by Todd to approve Work Order No. 1 for the 2026 Lead Service Line (LSL) Replacement Project for an amount not to exceed $28,500. Motion carried unanimously.
Variance 310 South Sherman Street: On the recommendation of the Planning Board, motion by Todd, seconded by Baumann to approve the variance of 9 feet to meet the 30-foot required front setback to construct a secure entry on the existing Houston Elementary School Building and to adopt the following resolution. Motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-01
ADOPTING FINDINGS OF FACT AND REASONS FOR APPROVAL
FOR VARIANCE APPLICATION OF ISD #294 – HOUSTON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
310 SOUTH SHERMAN 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 addition of a secure point of entry on the Elementary School Building with conditions as recommended by the Planning Commission, so as to deviate from City Code §151.21 is hereby approved; and
NOW THERFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Houston, Minnesota that the Building Permit Application is to be submitted to CMS for final approval.
Gambling Permit: Motion by Krage, seconded by Baumann to approve a gambling permit with no waiting period for Sheldon Valley Sportsman’s Association for an event to be hosted at the Houston Community Center on March 28, 2026. Motion carried unanimously.
Office of Emergency Medical Services Funding: Motion by Krage, seconded by Todd to adopt the following related to awarded funding. Motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-02
A Resolution to Accept OEMS Grant for the Houston Community Ambulance
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City accepts the grant award as well as any future grant awards; will comply with requirements for the use of said funds; and will enter into a grant contract once the Minnesota OEMS can finalize it.
Ambulance On-call Reimbursement Rates: Motion by Todd, seconded by Baumann to approve increasing the ambulance on-call weekday pay to $4.00/hour and weekend to $4.50/hour effective January 1, 2026. Motion carried unanimously.
Ambulance EMT Notice if Retirement/Resignation: Tom Hill submitted his intent to retire effective this past January 1, 2026. Motion by Krage, seconded by Baumann to accept his notice and thank him for 20 years of dedicated service to the community. Motion carried unanimously.
Audit Service Letter of Understanding: Motion by Baumann, seconded by Krage, to accept the CohnReznick fka Smith Schafer audit terms as presented and authorize the appropriate signature on the letter of understanding. Motion carried unanimously.
Appointments: Motion by Todd, seconded by Baumann to approve the committee appointments as discussed. Motion carried unanimously.
Official Newspaper: Motion by Todd, seconded by Baumann to designate the Fillmore County Journal as the official newspaper and to accept their bid for display ads, financial statements, and legal notices along with other bids provided for display ads. Motion carried unanimously.
Official Depository: Motion by Krage, seconded by Todd to designate Rushford State Bank as the official depository, update the account powers, and adopt the following resolution. Motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION 2026-03
Account Powers Granted Rushford State Bank Banking
BE IT RESOLVED, the Houston City Council authorizes Finance Director/Treasurer Suzanne Peterson the authority to open any deposit or share accounts in the name of City of Houston and further authorizes Clerk Administrator Michelle Quinn, Finance Director/Treasurer Suzanne Peterson, and Mayor Scott Wallace to endorse checks and orders for the payment of money or otherwise withdraw or transfer funds on deposit with the requirement of two signatures with this Financial institution.
Personnel Items:
Police Officer: On the recommendation of Police Chief Hurley, motion by Todd, seconded by Baumann to approve a change in status for Curtis Chapel from probationary to regular effective January 1, 2026, being his 6-month anniversary date and to approve the increase to Step 2 on the Police Officer wage scale. Motion carried unanimously.
Seasonal/Summer 2026 Positions: Only one application has been received for the following positions since they were posted. Summer Recreation Director, Public Works/Seasonal Maintenance, and Flower Care Attendant. Each of the applications was from an individual who has served in the respective position for a minimum of the previous two seasons. Motion by Baumann, seconded by Krage to extend offers of employment to the following: Katie Tostenson as Summer Recreation Director at the same total rate as 2025. Daniel Gavin as seasonal maintenance person at the same rate as 2025 on an as needed basis not to exceed 185 days from first assignment to last, and Les Roesner as Flower Care Attendant at the same rate as 2025 to be paid two hours per day, seven days a week from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Motion carried unanimously.
Accept 2025 Donations: Motion by Baumann, seconded by Krage to adopt the following resolution accepting 2024 donations. Motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION 2026-04
A RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT DONATIONS
WHEREAS, the City of Houston is generally authorized to accept donations of real and personal property pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Section 465.03 for the benefit of its citizens, and is specifically authorized to accept gifts and bequests for the benefit of recreational services pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Section 471.17; and
Name of Donor Date Amount Purpose
Houston American Legion 04/14/2025 $500 Library
Acentek 10/06/2025 $600 Library
Anonymous 02/20/2025 $300 Ambulance
Houston Lions Club 03/25/2025 $2,000 Ambulance (60th)
Rushford State Bank 04/24/2025 $320 Ambulance (60th)
Hoff Funeral Home 04/17/2025 $200 Ambulance (60th)
DLC, Inc 04/15/2025 $200 Ambulance (60th)
Miscellaneous 04/28/2025 $4,207 Ambulance (60th)
Theresa & Alton Peterson 05/29/2025 $1,000 Ambulance
Ellert Mindrum 06/12/2025 $500 Ambulance
Houston American Legion 07/18/2025 $2,500 Ambulance
Kenneth & Sharon Ring 09/30/2025 $200 Ambulance
Houston American Legion 12/16/2025 $5,000 Ambulance
Anonymous 12/22/2025 $30,000 Ambulance
Pat Hetland Foundation 12/23/2025 $7,000 Ambulance
Eagle Rock Bank Rochester 12/29/2025 $250 Ambulance
Dennis Eich 04/14/2025 $200 Fire Department
City of Caledonia 08/29/2025 $1,000 Fire Department
(Miken Fire)
Kenneth & Sharon Ring 09/30/2025 $200 Fire Department
Pat Hetland Foundation 12/23/2025 $8,000 Fire Department
Steve & Lisa Skifton 05/08/2025 $200 Summer Rec
Houston American Legion 05/12/2025 $500 Summer Rec
Catherine & Matthew Minor 05/29/2025 $200 Summer Rec
Tri-State Auto Outlet 05/29/2025 $200 Summer Rec
Affordable Siding & Roofing 06/05/2025 $300 Summer Rec
Houston American Legion 09/11/2025 $500 Summer Rec
Houston United Campaign 10/30/2025 $817 Summer Rec
Houston AA 08/18/2025 $335 Summer Rec
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOUSTON, MINNESOTA, AS FOLLOWS:
- The donations described above are accepted and shall be used to establish and operate facilities and programs either alone or in cooperation with others, as allowed by law.
- The city clerk is hereby directed to issue receipts to each donor if requested acknowledging the city’s receipt of the donor’s donation.
2026 Appropriation: Motion by Krage, seconded by Baumann to adopt the following resolution. Motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION 2026-05
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APPROPRIATION
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City of Houston Council, that the following appropriation will be made in 2025 as appropriate from the City General Fund:
ORGANIZATION 2025 BUDGET
Houston Chamber of Commerce (Maximum) $3,000.00
LMC (League of Minnesota Cities) $1,400.00 (Est)
MAOSC (Minnesota Association of Small Cities) $568.65
Root River Trail Towns $300.00
SEMLM (Southeastern Minnesota League of Municipalities) $50.00
SMIF (Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation) $200.00
SMART $25
Rails to Trail Conservancy $18
Parks and Trails Council $35
Business Health Services and Occupational Health Service Agreements: Motion by Krage, seconded by Baumann to approve Employee Assistance Program Agreement with an annual fee of $20 per employee, Occupational Health Service Agreement, and Advanced Rehabilitation, Ergonomics and Assessments between Gundersen Lutheran Administrative Services, Inc., and Houston City of and authorize the necessary signatures. Motion carried unanimously. Agreements expire December 31, 2026.
Minutes and Bills: Motion by Krage, seconded by Baumann to approve the minutes of December 8, 2025, regular meeting, and bills as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Items to be Placed on File: Motion by Baumann, seconded by Krage to place the following items on file. Motion carried unanimously.
Library Updates and Information, and circulation statistics
Correspondence from LMC to Regional Safety Group Members
Adjourn: Motion by Baumann, seconded by Todd to adjourn the meeting at 6:49 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. The next regular meeting of the Council is scheduled for Monday, February 9, 2026.
By: Scott Wallace, 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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