At the May 5 meeting of the Houston County Board of Commissioners, the board Chairman Greg Myhre called the meeting to order at 9 a.m. The board approved the agenda and the minutes from the April 28 regular meeting, with Commissioner Kurt Zehnder abstaining.
There was one public comment from Justin Gartner of The Towers, LLC, regarding action item No. 3: the approval or denial of a conditional use permit (CUP) for The Towers, LLC to build a telecommunications tower in an Agricultural Protection District in Crooked Creek Township.
He read a paragraph from the Telecommunications Act of 1996 for the record, “No State or local government or instrumentality, thereof may regulate the placement, construction, and modification of personal wireless service facilities on the basis of the environmental effects of radio frequency emissions to the extent that such facilities comply with the Commission’s regulations concerning such emissions.”
Gartner, who owns property north of Black Hammer, shared a personal example illustrating the need to improve coverage for emergency services. He explained that when he is hunting on his property, he is lucky if he has service in the tree stand. “However, if I were to fall out of that tree stand, that is when I really need the service, and I don’t have any.”
Environmental Services Director Amelia Meiners said the tower will be located just over a mile north of Reno on the ridge. Verizon will be the initial carrier, with space for two or three additional carriers. Meiners said there was considerable discussion at the hearing about two nearby existing towers but noted that both are older radio towers that cannot accommodate current equipment.
Regarding the proposed nine additional towers, Meiners said each would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. It was also noted that the planning commission asked the board to review the telecommunications section of the county ordinance because it lacks clear standards. Commissioner Wright stated that “regardless of where the state allows towers or the public utilities commission says they allow, the county needs to consider these along with our comprehensive land use plan.”
The board unanimously approved the CUP for The Towers LLC.
Commissioners approved the consent agenda, which included accepting the resignation of Rebecca Larson after six years of service to the residents of Houston County, conducting a search for a full-time eligibility worker, hiring Brooklyn Wallin as a full-time adult social worker effective March 30, and transferring Bryce Helke from temporary transport officer to a 67-day deputy effective immediately. The commissioners also reviewed and approved payment of the bills totaling $778,351.61.
The commissioners also approved a CUP for Ryan and Stephanie Schuldt for a single-family nonfarm dwelling on less than 40 acres in an Agricultural Protection District in Spring Grove Township and a CUP for the Douglas and Julie Heintz Trust to build a manure storage structure with a capacity of more than 20,000 gallons in Sheldon Township.
In other business, the board:
•Tabled the airport lease agreement with the city of Caledonia, Minn.;
•Approved the airport T-hangar lease template;
•Approved an updated procurement policy for federal grants;
•Accepted the single quote from ICON for maintenance on four bridges-Bridge 28505-CSAH 4, Bridge 28520-CSAH 7, Bridge 28544-CSAH 26, and Bridge 28511-CSAH 26, for a total cost of $65,605.00. ICON for the past several years has been submitting the lone quote for bridge maintenance work in Houston County. County Engineer Brian Pogodzinski confirmed that the quote came in under budget;
•Approved a joint powers agreement for the Warrior Ave. extension project, with the City of Caledonia as the lead. Houston County will provide oversight;
•Adopted Ordinance No. 18, “An Ordinance of the County of Houston to Regulate Firearms Used in Deer Hunting.” County Coordinator Brent Parker confirmed that this step is meant to “Cross the T’s and Dot the I’s.”
The meeting was adjourned at 9:53 a.m.
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