Mayor Scott Wallace called the City Council meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. July 8, 2024, with the Pledge of Allegiance. Council present: Mayor Scott Wallace, Zeb Baumann, Emily Krage, Cody Mathers, and Steve Westby. Staff present: Suzie Cox, Michelle Quinn, Brett Hurley, John Langheinrich, Randy Thesing, and Josh Hongerholt. A listing of public members present is on file.
Root River Trail Extension: Larry Kirch, contract employee for the City of La Crescent, provided a brief history of the Root River Trail Extension Citizen Exploratory Committee. Motion by Mathers, seconded by Baumann to support the Trail Plan as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Houston Area Chamber of Commerce/Holiday Lighting: Michelle Hoskins presented information related to an initiative that would fund new holiday decorations for city streetlamp poles. Motion by Baumann, seconded by Westby in support of the initiative by the Houston Area Chamber to fundraise in hopes of being able to purchase new streetlamp pole decorations to displayed during the holiday and winter season. Motion carried unanimously.
Variance Request for 409 S Ellsworth Street: On the recommendation of the Planning Board, motion by Mathers, seconded by Baumann to approve the variance and to adopt resolution 2024-16. Motion carried with Krage abstaining.
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-16
ADOPTING FINDINGS OF FACT AND REASONS FOR APPROVAL
FOR VARIANCE APPLICATION OF ANDREW KRAGE AND EMILY (ERNEST) KRAGE
409 SOUTH ELLSOWRTH STREET
FACTS
1.Andrew Krage and Emily (Ernest) Krage are the owners of a parcel of land located at 409 South Ellsworth Street, Houston, Minnesota; and,
2.The subject property is legally described as found in variance application; and,
3.Owner has applied to the City for a variance to install a 48-inch fence in the front yard; and,
4.The proposal would vary from City Code § 151.47 (D), exceeding the front yard fence height maximum of 42 inches by 6 inches.
5.Following a public hearing held on July 1, 2024, the Houston Planning Commission recommended approval of the variance.
6.On July 8, 2024, the City Council of the City of Houston reviewed the requested variance.
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
7.The requested variance is in harmony with the purposes and intent of the city code because it complies with city code through its use of approved fence materials in the front yard and reducing the height of the pre-constructed panels would negatively impact the visual aesthetics.
8.The requested variance is consistent with the comprehensive plan because it utilizes approved fence materials in the front yard, is congruent, and the appearance will be acceptable. There is also an added benefit that pets will be contained.
9.The property owner does propose to use the property in a reasonable manner because they seek to comply with an ordinance which requires pets be contained and the fence will ensure this.
10.There are unique circumstances to the property not created by the landowner since landowner being an interior lot with no adjoining alley and/or driveways there are no line-of-sight concerns.
11.The variance will maintain the essential character of the locality because fences are common in residential neighborhoods, the project owners have planned for the ability to maintain the fence, provided for snow storage, and the finished side of the fence will face the neighboring properties and street in compliance with city code.
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 construction of the fence with conditions as recommended by the Planning Commission, so as to deviate from City Code §151.57 is hereby approved; and
NOW THERFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Houston, Minnesota that the Fence Permit Application is hereby approved.
Elections: Motion by Krage, seconded by Westby to adopt the following. Motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-17
A RESOLUTION GOVERNING WRITE-IN VOTE COUNTING NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON, MINNESOTA THAT:
Votes for write-in candidates will only be individually recorded if the total number of write-in votes for an office is equal to or greater than the fewest number of non-write-in votes for a ballot candidate for that office.
Cellular Device Stipend: Motion by Mathers, seconded by Westby to approve the cellular device stipend for the Nature Center Lead. Motion carried unanimously.
Facilities/Shaping Quotes West Elm Street: Motion by Krage, seconded by Westby to accept the low quote submitted by RG Steinfeldt, LLC in the amount of $2,399.00 for shaping prior to double chip sealing of the specified section of roadway. Motion carried unanimously.
Sealcoating: Motion by Krage, seconded by Westby to accept the quote for the additional sealcoating in the amount of $400 submitted by Scott Construction Inc. and to authorize the work. Motion carried unanimously.
Property/Liability Insurance Renewal
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Waiver of Liability Limit: Motion by Mathers, seconded by Krage to waive the monetary limits on municipal tort liability established by M.S. 466.04, to the extent of the limits of the liability coverage obtained from LMCIT. Motion carried unanimously.
Light Pole in Trailhead Park:
Westby reported on a proposed donation to install a second light pole, with electricity being supplied by Farmers Win Coop in Trailhead Park where tractor pullers are staged during Houston Hoedown. The work and supplies would be donated. Motion by Westby, seconded by Baumann to accept the donation of the light pole and installation. Motion carried unanimously.
Purchase Agreement:
Motion by Krage, seconded by Westby to approve the agreement without warranty of access from a public right of way. Motion carried unanimously.
Minutes and Bills: Motion by Krage, seconded by Westby to approve the minutes of the June 12, 2024, regular meeting, and bills as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Items to be Placed on File: Motion by Krage, seconded by Baumann to place on file the following items. Motion carried unanimously.
Library minutes, reports, and statistics
MDH Quarterly Results
Adjourn: Motion by Krage, seconded by Westby to adjourn the meeting at 7:04 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. The next regular meeting of the Council is scheduled for Monday, August 5, 2024.
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
Publish 12