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The Houston County Board of Commissioners reviewed the special event permit application submitted by the city of La Crescent for the upcoming 2025 USA Cycling Gravel National Championships at its regularly scheduled board meeting on September 2.
La Crescent Mayor Mike Poellinger, Explore La Crosse Director of Sports Sales Jeremiah Burish, La Crescent Public Works Director Taylor Benish, and Houston County Engineer Brian Pogodzinski were present to answer questions related to the application.
Chairman Eric Johnson stated that if both Sheriff Brian Swedberg and County Engineer Pogodzinski were satisfied with the regulations outlined in the application, including a traffic control plan, then he would be okay. No formal action by the board was required, as special event permit applications are not typically brought before the board for approval.
Chairman Eric Johnson called the meeting to order at 9 a.m. and opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
All commissioners were present: Cindy Wright, Chairman Eric Johnson, Kurt Zehnder, Bob Schuldt, and Greg Myhre.
The board unanimously approved the agenda with the following changes:
- Carolyn Olson is retiring on October 31, not November 1.
- Action item #1, make the positions of auditor, treasurer, and recorder appointed, was pulled from the agenda.
- Consent agenda item #2 was moved to action item #11.
Commissioner Schuldt moved to approve the agenda with the three changes, seconded by Commissioner Wright. Motion carried.
The minutes from the regularly scheduled August 26 commission meeting were approved with one correction in paragraph 3. The motion was made by Commissioner Schuldt and seconded by Commissioner Zehnder. Motion carried.
Caledonia resident Bob Burns shared his opinion regarding the elimination of the shotgun-only zone for deer hunting in Houston County: “I, for one, am not in favor of rifles. With shotguns being as accurate as they are now, and with the movement in rifled barrels and sabot slugs, which are good for maybe up to 200 yards, there aren’t that many places that you need a rifle in Houston County. There are a lot of people who live in the country and a lot of people in town, but I don’t think we need rifle bullets. It’s different up north where there are wide-open spaces. It’s a little different down here. I’m not in favor of rifles.”
At 9:05 a.m., the board went into a public hearing pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 375A.1205, Subdivision 1, to consider changing the positions of auditor / treasurer and recorder to appointed positions. No public comments were made.
Human Resources Officer Brent Parker reviewed the process for the board and the public. The board closed the public hearing and went back into the regular meeting at 9:10 a.m.
The revised consent agenda was approved, which included two items. The employment status of Michelle Burt, Environmental Services Technical clerk, and the resignation/retirement of Carolyn Olson, social worker, effective October 31, 2025. Olson was thanked for her 43 years of dedicated service to the residents of Houston County.
In other business, the board:
- Approved the 2026 aquatic invasive species prevention aid agreement with the state for a total of $22,463;
- Accepted the $1,013.50 for the airport crack-filling grant.
- Accepted the state companion grant for the T-Hangar project for $29,150.79;
- Adopted crack fill contract #077 with Fahrner Asphalt Sealers, LLC for crack filling. The total cost was $114,300.45;
- Discussed the storm sewer under CSAH 18 in the City of Hokah. The board agreed not to cover the cost of approximately $50,000 because it would set a precedent. The board recommended that County Engineer Pogodzinski send the city of Hokah a formal letter;
- Accepted a $10,000 grant from Delta Dental to support the Houston County Dental Access Program;
- Approved the MCCC Amendment 9 contract extension to provide support for the Avenue property tax system through 2026;
- Approved the payments as presented by Interim Administrator/Finance Director Carol Lapham;
- Tabled initiating a search for a full-time Public Health and Human Services Department social worker to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Carolyn Olson.
The commission meeting was adjourned at 11:02 a.m.