At the April 16 Houston County commissioners meeting, the board approved County Engineer Brian Pogodzinski’s recommendation to accept the low bid submitted by Bluff Country Brine for liquid chloride. As one of three bids received by the county, the quoted price of $1.28 per gallon will be delivered to Caledonia, or $1.48 per gallon applied to the roadways. The projected total expenditure is estimated at $71,680.
With an estimated 23,535 gallons, or 42% designated for the county, the county’s share amounts to $30,125 while the remaining portion, 32,262 gallons, or 58% for a total of $41,555 is allocated to and funded by the townships. Pogodzinski added, “We always have it delivered to Caledonia and then the department applies it.”
All commissioners concurred on applying rock to Highway 5 estimated at $80,000, and Highway 20, estimated at $40,000. Pogodzinski noted that these estimates are based on the normal application rate. Commissioners Eric Johnson and Greg Myhre stressed the importance of getting it done sooner rather than later and that rock should be applied heavier than normal. Pogodzinski said that he would come back to the board with a proposal not to exceed $150,000 for approval.
Per the agenda request form, “MnDOT is requesting a time extension to review the concerns and issues with the current design options” regarding the intersection at CSAH3 and TH 26. The original agreement, in effect since the spring of the following year, was set to expire on December 31, 2023. However, due to various factors, the project was not completed by the year’s end and is presently on hold. The dollar amount remains the same and the deadline has been extended to December 31, 2025. Pogodzinski explained there have been adjustments made to the reimbursement rates for meals and lodging, the impact is expected to be minimal as most meetings are conducted via Zoom.
Pogodzinski also asked for direction from the board for various improvements to be done in conjunction with future MnDOT projects in La Crescent and Hokah. Approval was not needed at this time because Pogodzinski will bring agreements with MnDOT to the board for approval in the future.
Chairman Johnson called the meeting to order at 9 a.m. and led his colleagues and the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
In attendance were all five commissioners: Dewey Severson, District 1; Chairman Johnson, District 2; Robert (Bob) Burns, District 3; Bob Schuldt, District 4; and Greg Myhre, District 5.
Commissioners unanimously approved the consent agenda as amended and the minutes from the April 2 regularly scheduled board meeting and the workgroup session on April 9.
There were no public comments or appointments.
Chairman Johnson requested the removal of item number 4 from the consent agenda and asked that it be placed on the April 23 agenda. This item pertains to the assignment of Rachel Meyer, who currently holds the position of lead jailer/dispatcher to the role of interim jail administrator retroactive from April 7. Approved items on the consent agenda include providing a Letter of Support to Al’s Aerial Spraying, for the treatment of spongy moth in Houston County; accepting a $15,000 grant from Delta Dental to facilitate an additional day of mobile dental access each month; hiring Hannah Miner as a temporary/casual employee; and commencing a search for a new full-time jailer/dispatcher.
In other business, the board:
- Approved the 2023 Feedlot Program Annual Report and Fiscal Report.
- Accepted cash donations for the Extension Tesmer Farm Safety Day totaling $2075. Johnson emphasized that it is a “good program” and that the donations are “helpful to the program.”
- Approved a request from Ryan Ruberg, owner of Green Terrace Properties LLC for a $52,000 EDA revolving loan to purchase the Sawmill Inn in Houston at the 2024 rate of 3.5% for 10 years.
- Unanimously approved the claims for payment.
- Adjourned the meeting at 10:28 a.m.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Houston County Commission is Tuesday, April 23, at 9:00 a.m. in the County Commission Board Room 222, located on the second floor in the historic county courthouse or via the county conference call line at (551) 285-1373 and enter meeting ID: 160 320 1413 and password 471739. Public attendees are requested to mute their line until addressed.
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