Mayor Scott Wallace called the City Council meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. October 14, 2025, with the Pledge of Allegiance. Council present: Mayor Scott Wallace, Zeb Baumann, Emily Krage, and Danny Todd. Staff present: Michelle Quinn, Josh Hongerholt, Brett Hurley, Steve Skifton, and Randy Thesing. A list of public members present is on file.
Bolten & Menk Update:
LRIP – The City of Houston applied for competitive LRIP Grant funding in 2021 for improvements to Westgate Drive. The program has opened applications for the current year funding of $47 million. Motion by Krage, seconded by Baumann, to approve moving forward and the budget not to exceed $4,000. Motion carried unanimously.
Firefighter Plan Benefit Level: Motion by Todd, seconded by Baumann to increase the benefit level from $1,900 per year of service to $2,100 per year of service which will provide a 109% funding ratio and to adopt the following resolution. Motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION 2025-13
A RESOLUTION OPTING TO INCREASE THE BENEFIT LEVEL FOR FIREFIGHTERS WHO ARE VESTED IN THE STATEWIDE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER PLAN
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON, MINNESOTA:
1) The City hereby approves an increase in the benefit level for firefighters who have completed at least 5 years of good time service credit as a member of the Statewide Volunteer Firefighter Plan administered by PERA at the $2,100 benefit level per year of service, effective January 1, 2026; and
2) The City Clerk/Administrator and Mayor are hereby authorized to execute all documents necessary to effectuate the intent of this resolution.
Fire Fighter: On the recommendation of Fire Chief Skifton, motion by Krage, seconded by Todd to hire Austin Fishel as a probationary firefighter. Motion carried unanimously.
Full-Time City Maintenance: Based on job-related information from the candidate’s application, and responses to questions asked through the interview process, the personnel committee unanimously recommends the hire of Brody Thesing at an hourly rate of $19.00/hour with a planned step increase in the amount of $0.50 per hour upon obtaining required licenses. Motion by Baumann, seconded by Krage to hire Brody Thesing full time as a city maintenance worker in the Public Works Department as recommended. Motion carried unanimously.
Internal Posting: Motion by Baumann, seconded by Krage to authorize internal posting for a Public Works Department Head. Motion carried unanimously.
Minnesota Paid Leave: Motion by Todd, seconded by Baumann to authorize the city cover the 0.88% payroll tax for the mandated Minnesota Paid Leave Program Funding. Motion carried unanimously.
Liquor Licenses: Motion by Krage, seconded by Baumann to approve the Liquor License for JT’s Corner Bar & Grill LLC and for American Legion 423 as all required items have been received. Motion carried unanimously.
Solicit Bids for Newspaper Publishing: Motion by Baumann, seconded by Todd to authorize the solicitation of bids for publishing for 2026. Motion carried unanimously.
Minutes and Bills: Motion by Krage, seconded by Baumann to approve the minutes of September 8, 2025, regular meeting, and bills as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Items to be Placed on File: Motion by Baumann, seconded by Todd to place the following items on file. Motion carried unanimously.
Library minutes, reports, and statistics
Correspondence in appreciation from Houston Hoedown
Adjourn: Motion by Krage, seconded by Baumann to adjourn the meeting at 6:55 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. The next regular meeting of the Council is scheduled for Monday, November 10, 2025.
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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