Chairman Eric Johnson called the March 4 Houston County Commission meeting to order at 9 a.m. in Room 222 of the historic courthouse. Nine minutes later, the board went into closed session for labor negotiations.
All commissioners were in attendance: District 1 – Cindy Wright, District 2 – Eric Johnson, District 3 – Kurt Zehnder, District 4 – Bob Schuldt, and District 5 – Greg Myhre.
Johnson led his fellow commissioners and the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The agenda and the minutes from the February 25 commission meeting were unanimously approved as written.
There were no opening or closing public comments, and there were no scheduled appointments.
Guardianship contracts with Patricia Goetzinger-Krall and Bonnie Gregerson were approved, as well as guardianship and conservatorship contracts with the Catholic Charities Diocese of Winona-Rochester and Serenity Services. Melissa Burrow was hired as a full-time deputy auditor/treasurer and Michelle Burt was hired as a full-time environmental services tech clerk.
The board approved the Assignment and Assumption of the Ground Lease for Airport Lease: Lot 10, which was sold by Andrew Milde to Norman Snodgrass. The expiration of lease will expire on July 1, 2026. It was confirmed that the original lease was for five years, and this request falls within the five-year contract.
Since there were no questions regarding the bills as presented by Administrator Carol Lapham, the commissioners moved to approve them, with a first by Myhre and a second by Schuldt.
The administrator and commissioner reports were very brief. Lapham said that she did not have anything to report other than to say that the new Human Resources officer, Brent Parker, began yesterday and came back for a second day. Next week, they will be presenting some information at the workgroup meeting regarding the recorder’s office, specifically whether the recorder’s position should be appointed or elected or if another option may be available to the county. Chairman Johnson encouraged his fellow commissioners to attend an April training seminar for BOA and planning commission members in Mankato. Johnson shared that he has attended before, and you get to learn the ins and outs of zoning and ordinances. Wright reported that she attended one day of the legislative update session, and it was very interesting. There was talk about changes to social services and potentially anything that could be coming down the pipeline due to federal grants. Some mandates and training are moving head, like child protection.
Chairman Johnson announced that the sheriff has scheduled an active shooter training for April 3.
The board went into closed session at 9:09 a.m. for labor negotiations. Before adjourning for the day, it was announced that no action was taken.
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