The Houston County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, April 12, from 9-10:06 a.m. at the historic county courthouse in downtown Caledonia.
Commissioners in attendance included Chairman Greg Myhre, Teresa Walter, Robert (Bob) Burns, Eric Johnson, and Dewey Severson.
Chairman Myhre called the meeting to order and led the commissioners and the public in the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioners approved the April 12 meeting agenda and April 5, meeting minutes.
The meeting looks short as there are no public comments or appointments, zero items on the consent agenda, and only three action items.
County Engineer Brian Pogodzinski asked the commissioners to approve the project and costs related to improving the crosswalks at the intersections of S. 4th St. and S. 6th St. on CSAH 6 (Elm St.) in La Crescent. The City of La Crescent and the La Crescent School District surveyed over 200 individuals about the two intersections with mixed results. At a recent Safe Routes to School meeting, the school and city stressed that they want to see something done. Pogodzinski shared those attendees wish to figure out, “How can we take the survey results, design, and work involved with the consultants on the safety planning side of things and figure out a solution that does not impact traffic as much and still creates the same benefits for the crosswalk.” Pogodzinski explained that the City of La Crescent would pay for the design and maintenance. As in the past, the county is asked to pay for 50% of construction costs. Commissioner Severson made a motion not to exceed $50,000. The intent is to have the funds come from ARPA, as there is nothing in the 2022 county budget for this project.
Pogodzinski said that the county received four bids for the bridge replacement: Minnowa Construction Inc., VanGundy Excavating LLP., ICON Constructors, LLC., and Brennan Construction project on County 12. Pogodzinski noted that the bridge is one-half mile west of Prairie Ridge Road. Pogodzinski explained, “It is a big culvert replacement. The current culvert is 12’ wide and is being replaced with a new culvert that is a 12’x8’ box.” The low bidder, Minnowa Construction Inc., came in with a bid of $231,749.77, which, according to Pogodzinski, is almost $60,000 over the estimate of $172,204.60. Accepting the bid now will lock in the price in the likelihood that they cannot get the culvert until 2023.
Finance Director, Carol Lapham, appeared before the commission to update the board and answer any questions they may have about ARPA fund distributions. Lapham mentioned that the first report is due by the end of the month. Commissioners approved allocating $20,000 to Healthy Community Partnership for the Neighbors in Actions and Touching Moments partner programs.
The next regularly scheduled Houston County Commission meeting is Tuesday, April 26 at 9 a.m. at 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. The public is invited to attend.