Photo by Charlene Corson Selbee
The Houston County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on October 25, at the historic courthouse in downtown Caledonia.
Chairman Greg Myhre promptly called the meeting to order at 9 a.m. He led commissioners and guests in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The commissioners unanimously approved the meeting’s agenda with changes to the consent agenda, the minutes from the regularly scheduled October 11 board meeting, and the board workgroup session on October 18.
Commissioners in attendance include Chairman Myhre, Teresa Walter, Robert (Bob) Burns, Eric Johnson, and Dewey Severson.
Houston County Historical Society Volunteer Deb Wray appeared before the commission to express her support of including the old jail in the space utilization study.
Ron and Karen Wilkie appeared before the commission to express their opinion regarding the Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) denial of the no-wake zone in the west backwater channel of the Mississippi River between River Mile 698 and 699, as requested by the county. Ron first thanked the commissioners for all they have done in support of the no-wake zone. Regarding the DNR’s decision, Ron said, “I believe that the decision lacked the courage to do the right thing.” He strongly encouraged the commission to support the challenge they are taking into consideration during the meeting and firmly believes, “The dollars invested is a worthwhile investment of taxpayers’ dollars given the concern for the safety of all who use that section of the river.”
Craig Milkert and Johona Harris, representatives from Collaborative Design Group (CDG), appeared before the board to answer questions regarding the facility utilization study. Chairman Myhre asked Milkert and Harris to come back next week with an updated quote based on the three currently used city buildings – the Historic Courthouse, the Community Services Building (formerly known as the Meyer Building), and the Justice Center. In addition, the Houston County Jail will be included as an option.
There was one new addition to the consent agenda, accept the resignation of William Persons, jail dispatcher, effective November 5. Item number 5 was pulled and moved consent item number three to action item number five. The consent agenda was approved as amended, including hiring Eliana Babinski as a half-time probationary deputy auditor/treasurer, hiring Celeste Abbott as a 67-day temporary employee to assist with elections, confirming the resignation of Andrea Onstad, Social Worker, effective October 31, 2022; and hiring Ethan Meyer as a full-time probationary sheriff’s deputy effective November 21, 2022, conditioned on successful completion of psych/physical (note the previous applicant withdrew before her start date).
Action Items
PHN Director John Pugleasa asked the commissioners to approve the submission of a grant application along with Spring Grove School District and HVMHC to evaluate disparities in access to children’s mental health. The primary purpose of the grant will be to complete a Health Equity Data Analysis. The commissioners unanimously approved Pugleasa’s request.
Amelia Meiners, Planning-Zoning Office, asked the commission to authorize the department to have RASLAW file a writ of certiorari to challenge the DNR’s decision regarding the no-wake zone. Meiners noted that it must be filed by October 28.
Both Commissioners Johnson and Burn asked Personnel Director Tess Kruger about the hiring practice regarding new hires. Johnson noted that he has heard from the Unions that there is concern about hiring new employees at a higher step than the previous employee. Kruger and County Engineer Brian Pogodzinski explained the process before the commissioners voted to hire Shane St. John as a full-time probationary Highway Mechanic at Step 5, effective November 14, 2022.
In other business, the board:
• Renewed Paul Fruechte’s term on the Crooked Creek Watershed Board;
• Unanimously approved the interagency agreement between Houston County and Mound Prairie Township for snow plowing and signing services.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:43 a.m.
The next regularly scheduled Houston County Commission meeting is Tuesday, November 1, at 9 a.m. in 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.