PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Date: Tuesday, April 28, 2020 9:30 a.m.
Place: Commissioners Room, Courthouse, Caledonia, MN
*Virtual Meeting Held due to Peacetime Emergency Declaration in response to COVID-19 Pandemic.
Members Present
Via Computer: Eric Johnson, Teresa Walter, Jack Miller, Robert Burns, and Greg Myhre
Others Present: Administrator Babinski, Reporter Moorhead, Finance Director Lapham,
Via Phone: Sue Schwebach, John Pugleasa, Theresa Arrick-Kruger, Heather Myhre, Audrey Staggemeyer
Call to order.
Presiding: Chairman Johnson
Call to order. Pledge of Allegiance.
Walter moved, Burns seconded, unanimously carried to approve the agenda, with amendments. (D1:Y,D2:Y,D3:Y,D4:Y,D5:Y)
Dist. 1:Yes Dist. 2: Yes Dist. 3: Yes Dist. 4: Yes Dist. 5: Yes
Burns moved, Miller seconded, carried to approve the Minutes from the April 14 Board Meeting. (D1:Y,D2:Y,D3:Y,D4:Y,D5:Y)
Burns moved, Walter seconded, unanimously carried to approve the Minutes from the April 21 Work Group Session. (D1:Y,D2:Y,D3:Y,D4:Y,D5:Y)
Public Comment: None at this time
File No. 3 – Krista Ross, Executive Director of SELCO, and the Librarians from Houston County’s five community libraries discussed the contract with Houston County to provide funding to the libraries based on the ‘rural’ residents of the county, not including those within the cities that provide direct library funding. For 2020, the county payment of $163,477 computed to a $20.63 per capita level of support. The libraries have requested an annual 3% increase for the next three years under a 2021-2024 contract proposal. Walter suggested the County Board and SELCO meet to negotiate a rate less than 3%, given the current economic situation. The Board will review SELCO’s proposal and formalize a decision later into the year.
File No. 4 – Public Health and Human Services Director Pugleasa and team provided an update to the board on COVID-19 activity to date. They provided a history of our Public Health actions thus far and an outlook of what may be ahead for Public Health as this pandemic develops.
Walter moved, Burns seconded, unanimously carried to approve the Consent Agenda, which consisted of the following items: (D1:Y,D2:Y,D3:Y,D4:Y,D5:Y)
1)File No. 1 – Approve payment of the license center and Human Services disbursements and the following claims
County Revenue Fund $55,393.35
Road & Bridge Fund$253,297.86
Total$308,691.21
2)File No. 2 – Affirm the following personnel actions:
i.Public Health and Human Services
1.Change the status of Elizabeth Knutson, Public Health Nurse, from probationary to regular effective April 29, 2020.
ii.Highway
1.Accept the resignation of Robert Ott, DoT Sign Specialist, effective the end of the workday April 30, 2020, with thanks for his service to the residents of Houston County.
2.Approve a search for a DOT Sign Specialist. **Recruitment will be delayed until lift of social distancing requirements
File No. 5 – Walter moved, Miller seconded, unanimously carried to accept the low bid quote from Mathy Construction for SP 028-606-024, which includes paving on CSAH 6. (D1:Y,D2:Y,D3:Y,D4:Y,D5:Y)
Pogodzinski provided an overview of the project for CSAH 6 and discussed his conversations with the townships affected, who had requested extra paved shoulders for foot and bike traffic. He stated the more travelled half would have 4ft shoulders and the rest would have 2ft shoulders to satisfy the bike travel needs. The contract bid amount from Mathy Construction
Totaled $2,416,084.64, which is 10.27% under the original Engineer’s estimate.
File No. 6 – Burns moved, Miller seconded, unanimously carried to accept the low bid quotes from Icon Constructor’s LLC for bridge maintenance on Bridges 28555, 28524, 28522, and 28525. (D1:Y,D2:Y,D3:Y,D4:Y,D5:Y)
Pogodzinski requested the board’s approval for four projects and rejection of two project quotes. The additional two projects were not required this year, but quoted in case costs came within budget to add an additional project to this year’s budget. The approved project costs are $13,742.75 for Bridge 28555, $11,000 for Bridge 28524, $26,591.00 for Bridge 28522 and $19,537.50.
File No. 6 – Burns moved, Walter seconded, unanimously carried to reject the bid quotes for bridge maintenance on Bridges 28505 and 28523. (D1:Y,D2:Y,D3:Y,D4:Y,D5:Y)
File No. 7 – Miller moved, Walter seconded, motion failed to approve the exclusion of the employees of the Houston County Sheriff’s Office from the Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Family and Medical Leave pursuant to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. (D1:Y,D2:Y,D3:N,D4:N,D5:N)
HR Director Arrick-Kruger recommended the Board approve an exclusion of all members of Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc,. Local #60 (Jailer/Dispatcher Unit), Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc., Local #237 (Licensed Deputy Unit), Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc., Local #415 (Licensed Lieutenant Unit), and the Minnesota Association of Professional Employee positions of Chief Deputy Sheriff and Jail Administrator from the Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Family and Medical Leave pursuant to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The FFCRA allows for employers to exclude emergency responders from the mandatory leave requirements. Arrick-Kruger and Administrator Babinski explained the Sheriff requested this exemption and supported this application of the allowed exception. Those opposed requested additional information before they could consider a positive vote for this exclusion.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Walter voiced positive feedback from a recent policy and public safety committee meeting, where there was discussion about current challenges and the growing trend towards rehabilitation instead of incarceration. She also listened in on the AMC Webinar with Governor Walz and was happy to hear his continued support for County financial concerns.
Walter departed the meeting at 11:45, after her update.
Burns attended the AMC Transportation Committee meeting, with discussions on the impact on reduced revenue from gas and sales tax and broadband funding. He also shared news a city had received zero bids on their municipal bond proposal.
Miller attended a Hiawatha Valley update, and it still sounds like they are on track to move into their new Caledonia office as scheduled.
Johnson shared he had received several calls related to the property valuation statements and expressed concern over the questions related to rural preserve values and homestead credits.
Myhre questioned Engineer Pogodzinski on why the county does not bill homeowners for chloride application on County gravel roads the way some townships do. He felt it may be an option for the County to save expense on taxpayers by passing the cost to those who directly benefit for the application. Engineer Pogodzinski shared the County has not previously charged residents, under the consideration that County roads are travelled by all residents, but it could be considered. Application of the chloride usually begins in early May and normally to areas in front of houses or businesses, with some businesses paying for longer sections of road. Administrator Babinski and Engineer Pogodzinski will look into a billing option and present the information to the board at a later date.
No additional public comment.
There being no further business and the time being 12:00 a.m., motion was made by Burns, and seconded by Myhre and unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting. The next advertised meeting being a Board Workgroup Session on Tuesday, May 5, 2020.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
HOUSTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA
By: Eric Johnson, Chairperson
Attest: Jeffrey Babinski, County Administrator
THE ABOVE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSTON COUNTY BOARD OF COM-MISSIONERS IS ONLY A SUMMARY. THE FULL TEXT IS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AT THE HOUS¬TON COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE AS WELL AS ON THE HOUSTON COUNTY WEBSITE LOCATED AT THE FOLLOWING WEB ADDRESS: http://www.co.houston.mn.us/
Publish 1