Mayor Scott Wallace called the City Council meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. June 12, 2024, with the Pledge of Allegiance. Council present: Mayor Scott Wallace, Zeb Baumann, Emily Krage, Cody Mathers, and Steve Westby. Staff present: Michelle Quinn, Brett Hurley, Ed Jacobs, and Josh Hongerholt. A listing of public members present is on file.
Public
Hearing: The time being 6:00 p.m., motion by Krage, seconded by Westby to open the public hearing. The Improvement Hearing is to consider 2025 Street and Utility Improvements on CSAH 13/Spruce Street. Motion carried unanimously.
Derek Olinger, City Engineer from Bolton & Menk, provided an overview of the project and information which was provided at the Wednesday, June 5, 2024, neighborhood meeting.
Following City Engineer Olinger’s presentation, the floor was opened for public comment. The following individuals spoke; Mayor Wallace, Fred Beseler, a representative of the owner of 505 West Spruce Street, Diane Botcher, Terry Munson, Marlene Schultz, Councilperson Mathers, and Karla Bloem. Discussion was held.
There being no further public comment, motion by Westby, seconded by Krage to close the public hearing and reconvene in regular session. Motion carried unanimously. The time was 6:35 p.m.
CSAH 13/Spruce Street: Motion by Westby, seconded by Mathers to adopt the following resolution. Motion carried unanimously.
Resolution 2024-13
Resolution Ordering Improvement and Preparation of Plans
2025 Street & Utility Improvements
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON, MINNESOTA:
1.Such improvement is necessary, cost-effective, and feasible as detailed in the feasibility report.
2.Such improvement is hereby ordered as proposed in the council resolution adopted 12th day of May,2024.
3.Such improvement has no relationship to the comprehensive municipal plan
4.Bolton & Menk is hereby designated as the engineer for this improvement. The engineer shall prepare plans and specifications for the making of such improvement.
5.The city council declares its official intent to reimburse itself for the costs of the improvement from the proceeds of tax exempt bonds.
Motion by Krage, seconded by Baumann to approve Work Order #2 Project: 2025 Street & Utility Improvements with Bolton & Menk, Inc. for professional services in the amount of $113,600 and related to the CSAH 13/Spruces Street project. Motion carried unanimously.
CIPP Project: Motion by Mathers, seconded by Krage to approve the final payment to HydroKleen in the amount of the $10,000 retained. Motion carried unanimously.
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.
Houston Hoedown: Ron Evenson was present to represent Houston Hoedown. He requested permission to close the 100 and 200 blocks of South Lincoln and South Jefferson Streets and part of the 100-block beginning at the alley and going westerly through the 200 block of Maple Street West. He also requested the park restrooms be closed for the festival from Friday through Sunday and asked permission to store the bingo equipment in the maintenance room for the duration of the festival. Motion by Krage, seconded by Westby, to authorize the requested closures and allow storage as requested. Motion carried unanimously.
Fireworks Permit: Motion by Baumann, seconded by Westby to approve the Application/Permit for Display of Fireworks on July 26th. Motion carried unanimously.
Frauenkron Eagle Proposal: Elliot Frauenkron, Houston Scout Troop 53, presented his proposal for an Eagle project to extend Houston High Schools Football field cement to athletic road to improve accessibility and to provide a hard surface parking spaces for those with disabilities and the ambulance. Motion by Mathers, seconded by Krage to approve Elliot Frauenkron’s Eagle project. Motion carried unanimously.
American Legion Helicopter Proposal: Houston American Legion would like to understand whether there was interest in placing a helicopter in the park on a pedestal. It was the consensus of the council that the American Legion should continue to pursue the idea.
Personnel Items: Motion by Baumann, seconded by Westby to approve a change in status of Joshua DeBoer from full-time regular to casual on call. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Westby, seconded by Krage to authorize a competitive search for a full-time police officer. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Krage, seconded by Westby to approve the officer pay grid as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Fire Department Personnel: Motion by Mathers, seconded by Westby to accept the resignation of Andy Halvorson. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Baumann, seconded by Westby to appoint Cullen Olson as a probationary firefighter. Motion carried unanimously.
Chief Skifton shared that his position and an assistant chief position currently held by Jay Wheaton are up for appointment at the close of the year. Neither he nor Mr. Wheaton will be applying to be re-appointed. He recommended the council open applications sooner and consider a more formal appointment process since this will not be a simple re-appointment of incumbents. Motion by Krage, seconded by Baumann to open appointment applications to close early to allow for a more thorough process. Motion carried unanimously.
Appointment of Election Judges:
Motion by Krage, seconded by Westby to adopt the following resolution appointing election judges for the primary and general elections and to authorize additional appointments as needed to meet the need. Motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-14
A RESOLUTION APPOINTING ELECTION JUDGES
FOR THE 2024 PRIMARY AND GENERAL ELECTIONS
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOUSTON, MINNESOTA, AS FOLLOWS:
The following names are the official Election Judges for the City of Houston, for the 2022 State Primary and General Elections:
Lee Edmiston
Anna Frauenkron
Amanda Langheinrich
Michael Markegard
Suzanne Peterson
Michelle Quinn
Cheryl Sanden
Karen Todd
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOUSTON, MINNESOTA the Clerk/Administrator is authorized to appoint additional election judges, as needed, to meet need and comply with minimum judge requirements during the Primary and General Elections in 2024.
Gift Basket Presentation: Motion by Westby, seconded by Baumann to accept the basket donation from Bolton & Menk, donate the basket to the Friends of the Library, and adopt the following resolution. Motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-15
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING DONATION TO THE CITY.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON, MINNESOTA AS FOLLOWS:
1.The donations described above are accepted and shall be used as allowed by law.
International Owl Center Offer to Purchase: Motion by Krage, seconded by Mathers to convene a close session pursuant to MS 13D.05 to consider counteroffers for the sale of real property. The parcels to be discussed include parts of parcels 24.0502.005 and 24.0499.000 and all of 24.0030.000. Motion carried unanimously. The time was 7:25 p.m.
The time being 7:39, motion by Westby, seconded by Bauman to reconvene in open session.
It was restated that the purpose of the closed session was pursuant MS 13D.05 to consider counteroffers for the sale of real property. The parcels to be discussed include parts of parcels 24.0502.005 and 24.0499.000 and all of 24.0030.000.
Motion by Krage, seconded by Westby to keep the scope of land the land sale to the IOC unchanged, to authorize the updating of the purchase agreement to accommodate the current timeframe and to include the addition of a guarantee that an easement agreement will be executed to cross the city owned property lying between State 76 and the east boundary of the IOC acquired property once MN Dot and the IOC have determined a suitable driveway access and a survey to that affect has been supplied to the city. Motion carried unanimously.
Minutes and Bills: Motion by Mathers, seconded by Westby to approve the minutes of the May 13, 2024, 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 minutes, reports, and statistics
Adjourn: Motion by Baumann, seconded by Mathers to adjourn the meeting at 7:53 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. The next regular meeting of the Council is scheduled for Monday, July 8, 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.
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