On January 23, the Houston County Board of Commissioners directed Public Health Director John Pugleasa to work with the county’s planning committee, Environmental Services Director Martin Herrick and County Attorney Sam Jandt to draft an ordinance for the recreational use of cannabis.
All the commissioners agreed that there were a lot of unanswered questions and that they needed to be ahead of the game. Questions circled around whether the county should have an ordinance or leave it up to the towns, the number of dispensaries, and how far dispensaries should be located away from schools, churches, daycares, etc. Other questions that will need to be address center on growing and manufacturing facilities.
Commissioner Robert (Bob) Burns strongly suggested that the board hold public meetings to get feedback from the town officials, business owners, and residents.
Sheldon Township Supervisor Wayne Runninger shared his opinion with the commissioners regarding cannabis. “What about when this comes to Sheldon Township? Somebody wants a permit to sell at the Sheldon store across the street. That’s close to the town hall. Does it matter? And is it legal, right? That is what we have to understand. Can we charge our own price for permits? There are so many questions. It is going to come to our township, I am positive. I am okay with whatever your rules are but we gotta have rules. We better be ready because it’s coming. Who is in charge now? Is it the planning commission?”
Chairman Eric Johnson called the meeting to order at 9 a.m. He led his colleagues and the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. The commission unanimously approved the meeting agenda as written and the minutes from the January 9 regular board meeting and the January 16 workgroup session. Commissioner Myhre abstained from voting as he did not attend the January 16 workgroup meeting.
All the board members were in attendance: Dewey Severson, Chairman Eric Johnson, Robert (Bob) Burns, Bob Schuldt and Greg Myhre.
The board unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included changing the employment status of Melissa Jordan, Liza Jandt and Lori Feldmeier from probationary to regular, effective at the end of the month.
Caledonia Haulers, Harter’s Trash & Recycling, LLC, Hilltopper Refuse & Recycling Inc., Midwest Roll-Off LLC, Northwoods Refuse, LLC, Richard’s Sanitation, LLC, Schoh Trucking, Two Guys & A Dumpster LLC, Waste Management of WI Inc., and LRS Minnesota had their hauler licenses renewed. These licenses are set to expire on December 31, 2024.
Eliana Babinski, Amy Sylling,and Mark Bennet were appointed to serve on the absentee voting and UOCAVA ballot boards for the 2024 Presidential Nomination Primary (PNP) election and the March township election. Interim Auditor/Treasurer Polly Heberlein confirmed that the board was balanced.
Human Resources Director Tess Krueger happily reported, “The county’s pay equity is in a very healthy state, based on the Minnesota Office of Management and Budget (MMB) online calculations. Krueger noted that the report is due every three years and will be submitted to MMB.
In other business, the board:
•Renewed the agreement with Ability Building Community (ABC) for professional and technical services.
•Approved a new lease agreement with Dennis Gavin for the Caledonia Drop Site. Commissioner Bob Burns asked Herrick to confirm whether the agreement is with Dennis Gavin or ADMZ LLC, which is listed as the property owner.
•Appointed Larry Gaustad and Johnathon Glasspoole to the county’s planning commission. Gaustad and Glasspoole will each serve a three-year-term ending on December 31, 2026.
•Adjourned the meeting at 10:30 a.m.
The next regularly scheduled Houston County Commission meeting is Tuesday, February 6 at 9 a.m. in 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. Public attendees are requested to mute their line until addressed.