Mayor Scott Wallace called the City Council meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. July 10, 2023, with the Pledge of Allegiance. Council present: Mayor Scott Wallace, Zeb Baumann, Emily Krage, Cody Mathers, and Steve Westby. Staff present: Michelle Quinn. A listing of public members present is on file.
CIPP: On the recommendation of Engineer Mohs, motion by Krage, seconded by Westby to accept the low quote of Hydro-Lean, LLC in the amount of $104,744.53. Motion carried unanimously.
After the Fact Variance Request for 711 East Elm Street and Variance Request for 301/305 Stoddard
Street: On the recommendation of the Planning Board, motion by Baumann, seconded by Mathers to approve the variance requests of Nick Holty and adopt the following resolutions. Motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-12
ADOPTING FINDINGS OF FACT AND REASONS FOR APPROVAL
FOR VARIANCE APPLICATION OF NICK HOLTY 711 EAST ELM 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 split the parcel into two smaller parcels with conditions as recommended by the Planning Commission, so as to deviate from City Code §151.21 (E) (1), is hereby approved; and
NOW THERFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Houston, Minnesota that the parcel split is approved and may be submitted by the property owner to the Houston County Auditor/Treasurer Office.
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-13
ADOPTING FINDINGS OF FACT AND REASONS FOR APPROVAL
FOR VARIANCE APPLICATION OF NICK HOLTY 301/305 STODDARD 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 split the parcel into two smaller parcels with conditions as recommended by the Planning Commission, so as to deviate from City Code §151.21 (E) (1), is hereby approved; and
NOW THERFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Houston, Minnesota that the parcel split is approved and may be submitted by the property owner to the Houston County Auditor/Treasurer Office.
Application to Conduct Excluded Bingo: Motion by Krage, seconded by Baumann to approve the application to conduct excluded bingo presented by the Cross of Christ Lutheran Church for activities to be conducted at the City Park during Hoedown. Motion carried unanimously.
Fireworks Permit:
Motion by Krage, seconded by Mathers to approve the Application/Permit for Display of Fireworks on July 28th. Motion carried unanimously.
Personnel Items:
Library Assistant Position Description: Motion by Baumann, seconded by Westby to accept the position description for Library Assistant as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Summer Recreation 2024 Season: Motion by Mathers, seconded by Baumann to authorize a competitive search for Summer Recreation Director for the 2024 season at the same rate as 2023. Motion carried unanimously.
City of Hokah Letter of Interest
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Policing:
Chief Hurley shared the Hokah Chief of Police approached him to discuss whether the City of Houston and its Police Department would consider providing a proposal to provide police protection for Hokah. Motion by Westby, seconded by Krage to authorize staff to engage in discussion regarding possible collaboration between the City of Houston and City of Hokah to meet Hokah policing needs. Motion carried unanimously.
City Park Restrooms: Motion by Westby, seconded by Baumann to accept the donations, authorize the paint, and epoxy project to improve the city park restrooms contingent upon donations being received in an amount adequate to cover the quoted cost. Motion carried with Krage voting in the negative.
Light Pole in Trailhead Park: Motion by Westby, seconded by Mathers to accept the donation of the light pole and installation. Motion carried unanimously.
Houston Hoedown Street Closures: Houston Hoedown is requesting street closures in conjunction with Hoedown festivities. They have requested closure of West Maple Street from mid- 100 block to the west end of the 200 block, Lincoln Street 100 and 200 blocks, and Jackson Street 200 block. Maple and Lincoln Streets would be closed for the duration of the festival while the 200 block of Jackson would be closed during Sunday’s festivities only (car/tractor show). Motion by Krage, seconded by Mathers to authorize the street closures as requested and notify EMS. Motion carried unanimously.
Tailhead Park Wetland Delineation/International Owl Center:
Motion by Mathers, seconded by Westby to allow the International Owl Center to have wetland delineations performed on city owned property located in Trailhead Park. Motion carried unanimously.
Minutes and Bills:
Motion by Krage, seconded by Baumann to approve the minutes of the June 12, 2023, regular meeting, and bills as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Items to be Placed on File: Motion by Mathers, seconded by Krage to place on file the following items. Motion carried unanimously.
Library Minutes, Vision, Mission, Value and Goal Statement, July Library Update
Correspondence from MN DNR in response to Resolution 2023-07
Response from legal counsel to query for assistance having deed restrictions removed
Ambulance Agreement and Commitment to Serve & Hardship Waiver: Motion by Mathers, seconded by Krage to accept and approve of the Agreement and Commitment to Serve signed by Elise Walters and approve a partial hardship waiver in the amount of $1,000 for her participation in the Winona Community Ambulance EMT Course beginning August 29, 2023. Motion carried unanimously.
Adjourn: Motion by Krage, seconded by Westby to adjourn the meeting at 7:14 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. The next regular meeting of the Council is scheduled for Monday, August 14, 2023.
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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