The Houston City Council met at 6 p.m. on Monday, November 14, 2016 at the Houston City Hall. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the council heard public comments. After a public comment regarding snowmobiling, two separate citizens made comments in support of the city fighting the recent county approval of a feedlot located near the city limits. A citizen identifying himself as Tom Reay said he was “here to strongly urge you guys [the council] to oppose this.” Tom spoke of some of his history regarding a family farm in Iowa and the issues faced with keeping a farm clean. He mentioned he had heard the new feedlot owner claimed to clean the feedlot every two weeks. Reay continued that, if the owner was present at the meeting, he’d “call him a liar to his face” because that cleaning schedule “ain’t going to happen.” Tom claimed a farmer would be too busy, particularly in fall and spring, to keep the feedlot properly cleaned, which would lead to issues with the city inhabitants nearby. Tom also stated that enforcement of the new feedlot would be difficult, even down to the correct number of cows being kept in the feedlot. Reay concluded that a feedlot next to a city subdivision would be a danger to growth of the city. The council thanked Reay for his input and made it clear that they would be discussing that very issue at a closed session with legal counsel later in the evening.
A second citizen then spoke against the feedlot, citing a previous variance request that was denied by the city for similar reasons. The citizen expressed frustration that the county supported the feedlot, but Mayor Edwards replied that there are specific criteria and letter of the law that needs to be met to grant or deny a variance. Due to legal matters, the mayor concluded that the council would not speak any further on the matter until the closed meeting with legal counsel had concluded. The council then moved on to regular business, beginning with the canvass of the local election. The results and write-in tallies were given to the city council, who also operate as the city election canvassing board. The city approved the canvass unanimously. The council took a moment to thank newly council members, who will take office in January. The council recommended that officials attend elected official training in January, and will cover the expenses and hotel stay. At the request of City Administrator Peterson, the council moved and approved a motion to approve the spending for elected official training.
Following that, the council considered an updated compliance schedule with the Minnesota Department of Health regarding the treatment of drinking water for radium. The plan called to go through the state agency for the grant money in the state loan fun, which will give the city more time and access to more funds. City Administrator Peterson stated that the project is on schedule, and the city has a good working relationship with the Health Department on this issue. Peterson requested council approval for the updated schedule and the mayor’s signature to move forward. Peterson also presented an off-highway vehicle project easement appraisal that had been finished nd approved by the DNR. The council presented a motion to move ahead with the easement document, which was approved with one abstaining.
The council then examined the issue of succession planning for the police department. Mayor Edwards said that Dave, the current police chief, was considering retirement in two years, and that Brett, the junior officer, had performed excellently in fill in capacity. The mayor recommended a title change for the junior officer to deputy or assistant chief until he takes over the role from Dave, the outgoing chief. Wages are to be kept the same, but the official transition would begin culminating in Brett taking over as the new police chief taking over in two years. Mayor Edwards wanted to make this offer to Brett as a young officer, and clarified, after a council member asked, that the position was not required to be posted to the public. It was determined that this situation was unique and was a good fit to the city, and the council voted to approve the promotion and the transition unanimously. The council then accepted the resignation of a city custodian, effective November 19, transferring the duties to the maintenance department until action is taken at the next council meeting. Mayor Edwards stressed the Personnel Committee to place an advertisement for the position as soon as possible, allowing the hiring to be approved at the December council meeting.
Administrator Peterson brought new health and dental insurance information before the council. The rates will take effect next year, and the health insurance premium will see a 16% increase. The council seemed frustrated at the lack of options for healthcare, but approved a motion for the health insurance renewal. Next, the council discussed the dental plan, with specific focus on the required pediatric and minor child dental coverage. The council moved to offer a dental plan at employee expense, which passed unanimously. The city then approved three gambling permits for the Houston Fire Department and two separate permits for raffles from the Sheldon Valley Sportsmen Association. Last, the city approved a new attempt for this winter for the Girl Scouts to build an ice skating rink in the city park. After approving all consent agenda items, the council moved into their closed meeting after adjourning at 6:52 p.m.
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