Houston County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, June 14, from 9-10:29 a.m. at the historic county courthouse in downtown Caledonia.
Commissioners in attendance include Chairman Greg Myhre, Robert (Bob) Burns, Eric Johnson, and Dewey Severson. Commissioner Teresa Walter was absent.
Chairman Myhre called the meeting to order and led commissioners and the public in the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioners approved the June 14 meeting agenda and the June 7 meeting minutes.
The board went into closed session at 9:15 a.m. pursuant to Minn. Stat. 13D.05, subdivision 1 (d), attorney – client privilege to discuss the results of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE) arbitration. The board returned at 9:53 a.m. from closed session. County Attorney Sam Jandt stated, “The commissioners decided not to pursue an appeal in this matter.”
Personnel Director Tess Kruger submitted three personnel matters for board approval. The council accepted Lucas Kuntz’s IT network/help desk technician resignation effective June 30, 2022, with Commissioner Johnson stating, “Wish Lucas good luck in his new endeavor. Sad to see him go. He is a good IT guy.” Commissioner Severson added, “He helped a lot down there for this old boy.” Kruger will begin a competitive search for an information technology network/help desk technician. Brittany Anderson was hired as a probationary Child Protection Social Worker, C41, Step 1, effective June 22, 2022.
Both Kruger and County Engineer Brian Pogodzinski emphasized that the proposed Houston County Title VI Policy (non-discrimination in programming and contracts) is an overarching policy for all the county departments not just the highway department. Pogodzinski explained that the reason for creating the Title VI policy currently is that “Federal Highway is requiring that prior to having any federal funding this policy needs to be in place,” this applies to all federal and state funding. Severson made a motion to approve the Title VI policy with a second by Burns. The motion carried.
After the Title VI policy was approved commissioners approved the local bridge replacement program (LBRP) grant agreement for SAH 028-612-014 (CSAH12). The funding is required to replace bridge number 88421 located 1.8 miles west of junction MN 44. The project is scheduled to begin in 2022.
Pogodzinski received the go ahead from the commissioners to work with the Houston County Fair board regarding parking on county property during the fair.
Commissioners scheduled an open house at the new highway facilities on Wednesday, August 17 from 12:30-4:30 p.m., during the Houston County Fair.
The next regularly scheduled Houston County Commission meeting is Tuesday, June 28, at 9 a.m. in the County Commission Board Room 222, located on the second floor in the Historic County Courthouse, Caledonia, or via the county conference call line (312) 626-6700 enter ID: 994-7297-7175 and password 368422. Public attendees are requested to mute their line until addressed.
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