At the Houston County Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting on November 5, no action was taken on a proposed cannabis ordinance for the county.
Chairman Eric Johnson promptly called the meeting to order at 9 a.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
It is normal to see all Houston County commission members present at regularly scheduled commission meetings, and Tuesday’s commission meeting was no different. Commissioners Dewey Severson, Eric Johnson, Robert (Bob) Burns, Bob Schuldt and Greg Myhre were all present and actively engaged in the meeting.
Commissioner Bob Burns explained to his fellow board members that he sat and listened to the public hearing during the October 24 planning and zoning meeting, where a draft ordinance to regulate cannabis business in Houston County was discussed. Burns emphasized the need for urgency, stating, “As far as cannabis is concerned, we’ve got to get moving on that cause if it does come to pass on the first of the year, we need something in place. I know we’re looking at it, but kind of a slow go.”
Burns said, “The townships and the cities, in my opinion, should sign on to the ordinance; otherwise, they accept the responsibilities themselves.”
Burns voiced his opinion that the sale of cannabis in a residential district is a really bad idea. He also believes that everything should be a commercial venture, and that growing marijuana is not an ag business but that it is a commercial business. Board member Eric Johnson echoed Burns’ sentiment that growing marijuana is a commercial business.
Commissioners unanimously approved the minutes from the October 22 board meeting.
There were no public comments or any appointments.
On the consent agenda, 10 items were brought forth by staff for approval. Hannah Snell was hired as a part-time deputy auditor/treasurer for the license center, and the employment status of Holly Ingvalson and Amy Molling was changed from probationary to regular. The staff will immediately begin advertising for temporary/casual (67-day) sheriff deputies for shift coverage and temporary/casual (67-day) transport officers. Tim McCormick and Scott Standish, whose current terms end on November 30, were reappointed to the Crooked Creek Watershed District for a three-year term set to expire on November 30, 2027. The guardianship contract with Patricia Goetzinger-Krall and the multi-county SNAP employment and training agreement as recommended by Public Health and Human Services Director John Pugleasa were both approved.
In other business, the board:
- Unanimously approved hiring a full-time jailer/dispatcher, instead of hiring a full-time lead jailer/dispatcher, since there was difficulty filling the lead position. It was confirmed that it is allowed by the Department of Corrections (DOC).
- Approved initiating a search for an Assistant County Attorney II. Chairman Johnson said that County Attorney Samuel Jandt recommended that the county get started on the hiring process immediately as it will take time to fill the position.
- Tabled the request from Interim Auditor Polly Heberlein to approve the State of Minnesota Department of Transportation limited use permit regarding snowmobile trails, nighttime and two-way use. Houston County Engineer Brian Pogodzinski shared that other counties in the district have not approved the permit.
- The board approved a conditional use permit (CUP) for Nicholas Bissen and Jennifer Albrecht. They plan on building a home on less than 40 acres in an ag district of Houston Township.
- Voted three to two not to approve a request from Pugleasa to add one full-time RN/PHN and one full-time Community Health Worker (CHW) to the Public Health Division to handle the addition workload as a result of the Foundational Public Health Responsibility (FPHR), Response Sustainability Grant (RSG), and Cannabis Education. The board asked Pugleasa to come back with more information.
- The board unanimously approved the bills to be paid as presented by Interim Administrator/Finance Director Carol Lapham.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 a.m.
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