Photo by Charlene Corson Selbee
The Houston County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, February 1, from 9-9:50 a.m.
Commissioners in attendance included Chairman Greg Myhre, Teresa Walter, Bob Burns, Eric Johnson, and Dewey Severson.
Chairman Myhre called the meeting to order and led the commissioners and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioners approved the meeting agenda with the addition of action item number five, purchase of a John Deere mowing tractor plus mower, and the minutes from the January 25 board meeting.
The consent agenda was unanimously approved, including a $1,250 donation from the Houston County K9 foundation. The funds will pay off the balance of the 2021 K9 lease.
Action Items
Houston County hauler licenses were approved for Harter’s Trash and Recycling, LLC, Hilltopper Refuse & Recycling, Inc., Midwest Roll-Off, Inc., Richard’s Sanitation, LLC, Schoh Trucking, Two Guys and a Dumpster, and Waste Management of WI, Inc. Environmental Services Director, Martin Herrick explained that Generation X Construction submitted the required fees but did not submit the necessary paperwork. Once Generation X Construction submits their paperwork their application will be brought before the board for approval.
Commissioners approved the amendment to the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s airport maintenance and operation grant agreement. County Engineer, Brian Pogodzinski explained, “The current grant is a two-year grant that has funding allocated for each year. Due to special Federal relief funding, we have had additional funding coming in the past couple of years, so the maintenance and operation grant money has not been fully spent.” According to Pogodzinski the state has agreed to extend the agreement to May 6, 2024, with all the other terms staying. This gives the county three years to spend the money.
Commissioners approved ending the current agreement between the county and the Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc., Local #237 (licensed deputies) and enter into the current 2022-2024 labor agreement. Personal director Tess Kruger shared, “We really appreciate the tenor of the negotiations. It was very professional, very respectful. We had a lot to wrestle down, and we were able to do that and move forward.”
Personnel Director Kruger “Highly recommends that the commissioners consider carrying forward 88.3 lost hours of accrued vacation balance from 2021 to 2022 for County Recorder Mary Betz, because she was in a very difficult situation.” Commissioner Johnson stated, “It is kind of hard to take time off when there is only two people in the office.” Before voting, Betz thanked the commissioners for considering the one-time request. The request was unanimously approved.
Pogodzinski explained that his department solicitates quotes in January for equipment that will be purchased in the coming year. The plan was to come before the commission on February 8, so all the quotes could be approved. The quote for a new John Deere mower tractor and mower expires on Monday, February 9. If the commission waits until next Tuesday’s commission meeting to approve the purchase, the price will increase by 10% or $9,899.86. The tractor is over budget but the overall budget for equipment purchases is underbudget. Pogodzinski also mentioned that this is the only tractor purchase scheduled over the next five years. After Pogodzinski explained why the department recommends purchasing the tractor and mower instead of leasing one the commissioners approved the purchase.
Announcements
Commissioner Johnson announced that Timeless Creations’ grand re-opening is coming up, February 10, 11, and 12. The re-style furniture store is located at 113 W Cedar Street, Houston. Houston County EDA Director, Allison Wagner reminded the commissioners, “They are the ones who got the EDA loan last year.”
Houston County received the childcare grant authored by EDA Director Wagner. “First Children’s Finance will be coming starting this summer. They will be meeting with the core team that we have already established. It’s a big group, of over 20 individuals, from throughout the county, that are interested in childcare needs,” explained Wagner. “It’s a big grant and we are excited we got it.” The meetings will result in a plan that will address the needs of childcare in Houston County.
The next meeting of the Houston County Commission is Tuesday, February 8, 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 meeting ID: 994-7297-7175 and password 368422. The public is invited to attend.