After the regularly scheduled Houston County Commission meeting on July 2, Human Resources Director Tess Kruger shared a copy of a letter she gave to the commissioners on Monday, July 1, announcing her retirement effective September 6.
In her official letter, Kruger proudly stated, “I have spent 36 years in public service, and it has been a pleasure to have served the residents of Houston County 15 of those years.”
She concluded by recognizing her colleagues, “I am incredibly appreciative of the team of employees at the county and the important work they do every day.”
Chairman Johnson called the meeting to order at 9 a.m. and led the board and the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The board unanimously approved the meeting agenda with one addition to the consent agenda and the minutes from the June 25 regularly scheduled board meeting.
Commissioners in attendance included Dewey Severson, Chairman Eric Johnson, Robert (Bob) Burns, Bob Schuldt, and Greg Myhre.
During the public comments, Rick Frank and his granddaughter, Kimberly Frank, requested that the board consider replacing Kimberly’s rear passenger window for a cost of $350. The window was broken when a county mower kicked up a rock while mowing, hitting her car as she drove by. The county’s insurance company, MCIT, declined to cover the repair, citing that the mower was equipped with all the required safety equipment. County Engineer Brian Pogodzinski explained that the county historically has not covered such claims. He also mentioned that he spoke with County Attorney Samuel Jandt, who stated that this situation is not a legal issue, it is a policy decision that must be made by the board. Jandt recommended that the board establish a clear policy to address similar incidents in the future. No decision was made at this time.
The board unanimously approved the consent agenda which included reassigning Mark Bennett, currently a deputy auditor/treasurer to a probationary appraiser trainee. They also approved initiating a search for a full-time deputy auditor/treasurer, hiring Patricia Goetzinger-Krall and Sarah Osternas a probationary full-time jailer/dispatcher and hired 67-day public health nurse.
The board approved spending $10,000 to replace the main cover at the Spring Grove salt shed at the same time the trusses are replaced. Pogodzinski explained that the county’s insurance, MCIT, will pay for the trusses and the labor to empty the shed but did not approve paying to have the main cover replaced. The repairs are being made at this time due to operator error.
The board also approved a motion to reimburse short-term campers at Wildcat Park and Landing, which will remain closed until July 11.
In other business, the board:
• Approved a pavement contract with Sir Lines-A-Lot LLC. for marking symbols on the roadways in La Crescent and Caledonia, for a total of $61,031.
• Approved allocating $30,000 in ARPA dollars to purchase two covered tops for recycling bins. Treasurer Carol Lapham confirmed that an estimated $150,000 in ARPA funds remains, which must be spent by the end of 2024.
• Approved the payments as presented by Treasurer Carol Lapham.
• At the end of the commission meeting the board went into a closed session to discuss labor negotiations.
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