There was a happy, full house for the November Houston City Council meeting on November 10 as the Houston Ambulance was recognized for their lifesaving efforts on September 29. Little Lilah Christiansen had suffered an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest at her home.
According to Chad Kuhlman who works for the Southeast Minnesota EMS, such cardiac arrests are one of the leading causes of death in the United States. High performance CPR and team dynamics improved the chances of survival and the chances of making a full recovery. In this case, Lilah’s life was saved successfully. Mimi Carlson, Chris Cox, Anna Frauenkron, Adrianna Hongerholt, Marty Momsen, Deven VanGundy and Kendra VanGundy each received a plaque from Kuhlman and an award from Mayor Scott Wallace on behalf of the city. The crew also received awards from Tri-State Ambulance.
Kuhlman commented with a chuckle, “Usually the patient is asked if they have any remarks, but I’m sure if she was able to talk, she’d run up and give you all kisses!”
Chris Cox, Houston Ambulance director, told Lilah’s mom, Grace, that she was awesome. “You let them do what they did. You didn’t lose it!”
”We had the A team that day. Adrianna is a NICU nurse, Deven will graduate in respiratory therapy in April; he loves peds (pediatrics) and works with them and Marty is a paramedic, and they all three were there in the back that day,” Cox declared. “Babies are not little adults; they need special care. Everything was perfect! The timing was perfect.”
Before leaving the crew posed for a picture with Lilah and her family. Cox commented, “We’re gonna watch her grow! In 16 years she can be on the crew!”
Regular Council Business
The council approved an application for an exempt permit for an event being hosted at the Houston Fest Grounds on April 18, 2026. The permit was requested by Just B Caus and Just B Caus Reloaded. Just B Caus Reloaded was a second nonprofit created after the original had met their capacity for what it could raise.
A resolution authorizing the pursuit of 2025 LRIP funding for the Westgate Drive Reconstruction Project was approved. Supporting letters are being requested from local businesses and organizations.
City Administrator Michelle Quinn informed the council that the city was required to have a phosphorous minimization plan for the wastewater treatment plant. The required plan was authorized by the council and will be prepared by Bolton Menk at a cost between $3,000 and $5,000.
Assistant Fire Chiefs Brandon Olson and Mitch Seekamp were appointed by the council. Their terms will begin January 1, 2026, and end on December 31, 2027.
Positions for next summer will be posted for Summer Rec, flower care for business district flowers, and green space maintenance.
The official resignation of Randy Thesing, Superintendent of the Public Works/Maintenance Team, effective January 2, 2026, was accepted. Thesing has worked for the city of Houston for almost 24 years.
Police Chief Hurley informed the council that if special vehicles such as side-by-sides and golf carts were allowed to operate on city streets, the city is required to permit and regulate them. The city mirrored an ordinance recently enacted by Houston County. A public hearing is not required; instead the council opted to post copies of the proposed ordinance and consider action to approve the ordinance at the next council meeting in December.
Quinn shared the proposed 2026 meeting calendar with the council. The council adopted the calendar as presented.
During department reports, Thesing brought up the need to repair three blocks worth of Kilborn Street. The surface is breaking up. According to Thesing, it will need a grind off, pack and two layers put back on. A second layer had not been added when the street was last resurfaced; this had resulted in the street breaking up early. With a second layer, the street surface will come up to the manhole covers.
Quinn commented that she was not planning on a reduction in the 3% increase in the preliminary budget due to needing to repair Kilborn. The city has been saving a lot and will be able to pay cash for the much needed repairs. “We are on firm financial footing,” Quinn added. “We are doing our best not to have to take out loans for small stuff.”
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