Acting Mayor Cody Mathers called the City Council meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. December 9, 2024, with the Pledge of Allegiance. Council present: Zeb Baumann, Emily Krage, Cody Mathers, and Steve Westby. Staff present: Josh Hongerholt, Brett Hurley, Michelle Quinn, Steve Skifton, and Randy Thesing. A list of public members present is on file.
Library Hours: Motion by Westby, seconded by Krage, to approve a change in library hours to the following: Monday 2 – 8, Tuesday 2 – 8, Wednesday 10 – 2, Thursday 10 – 6, Friday 2 – 6, and Saturday 10 – 2. Motion carried unanimously.
Library Appointment: On the recommendation of the Library Board, motion by Krage, seconded by Westby to appoint Heather Meyer to the Library Board for a 3-year term commencing January 2, 2025, and expiring December 31, 2027. Motion carried unanimously.
Safety/Membership in Regional Safety Group: Motion by Baumann, seconded by Krage to authorize joining the League of Minnesota Cities Regional Safety Group. Motion carried unanimously.
Audit Service Letter of Understanding: Motion by Westby, seconded by Krage, to accept the Smith Schafer audit terms as presented and authorize the appropriate signature on the letter of understanding. Motion carried unanimously.
Extension of Copier Maintenance Agreement: Motion by Krage, seconded by Baumann to approve an Extended Term Guaranteed Maintenance Agreement with Tri-State Business Machines, Inc. to expire January 8, 2028. Motion carried unanimously.
Truth In Taxation Hearing: The time being 6:15 p.m., motion by Westby, seconded by Baumann to recess the regular, and open the 2024 Truth in Taxation Public Hearing. Motion carried unanimously.
There being no public comment, motion by Baumann, seconded by Westby to close the public hearing and reconvene in regular session. Motion carried unanimously. The time was 6:23 p.m.
Final Budget & Levy: Motion by Krage, seconded by Baumann to adopt the final budget, levy, and adopt the following resolution. Motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION 2024-23
ADOPTING FINAL 2025 BUDGET AND FINAL TAX LEVY,
COLLECTABLE IN 2025
Be It Resolved by the city council of the City of Houston, County of Houston, Minnesota, adopts the Final 2025 Budget and that the following sums of money be levied for the current year, collectable in 2025, upon the taxable property in the City of Houston, for the following purposes:
General Fund 198,000
Library Fund 40,500
Ambulance Fund 10,000
Fire Fund 20,000
Park/Rec Fund 2,500
Nature Center Fund 51,000
Vehicle Fund 25,000
Infrastructure Fund 38,900
2016A Ellsworth Street Bond 73,100
2017A Street & Utility Improvement Bond 55,200
2020 MiEnergy Loan 30,000
2020B Lincoln Street Reconstruction Bond 37,100
2020C Community Center Renovation Bond 18,450
Total Levy $599,750
The city administrator is hereby instructed to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the county auditor of Houston County, Minnesota.
Certification of Delinquent City Bills: Motion by Krage, seconded by Westby to approve the delinquent city bills as presented and adopt the following resolution contingent upon feedback from County whether one individual’s past due balance may or may not be included. Motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION 2024-24
PLACEMENT OF DELINQUENT UTILITY BILLS UPON THE TAXES OF RESPECTIVE PROPERTIES WITHIN THE CITY OF HOUSTON, HOUSTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Administrator be hereby instructed to inform the County Auditor that s/he shall place the following list of delinquent bills upon the taxes levied against the respective properties:
Owners Name: Parcel #: Amount:
Christopher Chapel 24.0063.000 $57.39
Damien Lampert 24.0158.000 $193.97
Jordan Miller 24.0180.000 $800.44
Carly Rodriquez 24.0235.000 $3,537.37
Sean Lucey 24.0258.000 $1,959.06
Caiden Olson 24.0260.000 $2,350.93
Shane Loken 24.0409.000 $1,993.34
Motion by Krage, seconded by Baumann to approve the delinquent city bill as presented and adopt the following resolution. Motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION 2024-25
PLACEMENT OF DELINQUENT TREE REMOVAL BILLS UPON THE TAXES
OF RESPECTIVE PROPERTIES WITHIN THE
CITY OF HOUSTON, HOUSTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Administrator be hereby instructed to inform the County Auditor that s/he shall place the following list of delinquent bills upon the taxes levied against the respective properties:
Owners Name: Parcel #: Amount:
Robyn Torgerson 24.0013.000 $500.00
Personnel Item/Police Officer Trainee: Motion by Krage, seconded by Westby to hire Curtis Chapel as a part-time Police Officer Trainee contingent upon favorable references and background check, and executed reimbursement agreement. Motion carried unanimously.
Summer Rec Director: Motion by Westby, seconded by Baumann to approve engaging Katie Tostenson to serve as the Summer Recreation Director for the 2025 season at the same stipend as 2024. Motion carried with Krage abstaining.
Minutes and Bills: Motion by Baumann, seconded by Westby to approve the minutes of the November 12, 2024, regular meeting with one correction, 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 Updates and Information, and circulation statistics
Adjourn: Motion by Westby, seconded by Baumann to adjourn the meeting at 7:08 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. The next regular meeting of the Council is scheduled for Monday, January 8, 2025 .
By: Cody Mathers, Acting 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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