Photo by Ann Diersen
At the December 17 Houston County Commission meeting, 13 county employees were recognized and thanked for their dedication and service to Houston County: Melissa Jordan, 10 years; Jordan Goeden, 10 years; A.J. Bird, 10 years; Jennifer Daley-Oakes, 10 years; Lori Feldmeier, 20 years; Jon Kulas, 20 years: Mark Olson, 25 years; Tammy Mauss, 35 years; Liza Jandt, 35 years; Tom Peter, 35 years; Carol Lapham, 40 years; Carrie O’Heron, 45 years; and Cindy Augedahl, 45 years.
The board unanimously adopted resolution 24-44, certifying the 2025 certified levy at 7.5% for a total of $14 million.
Council members present included Dewey Severson, Eric Johnson, Bob Burns, Bob Schuldt and Greg Myhre. Chairman Johnson called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
The minutes from the December 3 regular meeting and the meetings from the special meeting on December 11 were unanimously approved.
No public comments were made.
County Engineer Brian Pogodzinski brought the board up to date on Houston County’s Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). He provided a brief overview of what they have been doing regarding the roadway side and training in salting the road and illicit discharge detection, which must be completed annually for field staff. Pogodzinski explained to the commissioners, “We determine our own training.”
The consent agenda, including hiring Morgan Solie as a full-time social worker effective December 18, was unanimously approved.
No action was taken on MnDOT’s Limited Use Permit (LUP) regarding snowmobile trail nighttime, and two-way as there are still unanswered questions. MnDOT was invited to the meeting but did not attend. Representatives from the Department of Natural Resources were on hand to answer questions related to their department. The discussion will continue at the December 31 meeting. Representatives from MnDOT and the Houston County attorney’s office will be invited to attend.
The board unanimously approved the State of Minnesota Grant contract agreement for the 2025 snowmobile grant-in-aid program maintenance and grooming grants.
In other business the board:
• Approved the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the University of Minnesota. The MOA is for three years.
• Reappointed Joshua Gran to the Planning Commission for a 3-year term beginning in January 2025 and ending December 31, 2027. If you are a Houston County resident who resides in the southern part of the county and are interested in serving on the planning commission, contact the county’s Human Resource department.
• Approved an internal search for the position of survey crew chief. If the county does not receive any internal applications during the required 5-day internal posting period, the position will be advertised externally.
• Awarded the box culvert project on CSAH 10 to Minnowa Construction for $461,033.57, the lowest of nine bids received.
• Approved a 2025 disaster tax credit of $23,586 for R&H Properties. A fire destroyed the buildings in August 2024.
• Approved the county administration job description/position and extended the interim position for one year.
• Approved a disaster abatement of $3,162.00 for Traditions of La Crescent for the two months of tax on the building destroyed by a fire in October.
• All ARPA funds have been allocated.
• 2024 budget adjustments approved.
• Approved payments.
The commissioners went into closed session at 11:20 a.m. for labor negotiations. Upon returning to the regular session, it was announced that the board voted unanimously to adopt the ratified tentative agreement with MAPE (Minnesota Association of Professional Employees) and LELS (Law Enforcement Labor Services).
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