PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Date: Tuesday, May 12, 2020 9:35 a.m.
Place: Commissioners Room, Courthouse, Caledonia, MN
*Virtual Meeting Held due to Peacetime Emergency Declaration in response to COVID-19 Pandemic.
Members Present via Computer:
Eric Johnson, Teresa Walter, Jack Miller, Robert Burns, and Greg Myhre
Call to order.
Presiding: Chairman Johnson
Call to order. Pledge of Allegiance.
Miller moved, Walter seconded, unanimously carried to approve the agenda as amended.
Walter moved, Burns seconded, carried to approve the Minutes from the April 28 Board Meeting.
Burns moved, Walter seconded, unanimously carried to approve the Minutes from the May 5 Board Meeting and Work Group Session.
Public Comment: None at this time
Myhre joined the meeting at 9:39 am.
Walter moved, Burns seconded, unanimously carried to approve the Consent Agenda, which consisted of the following items:
1)Approve payment of the License Center and Human Services disbursements and the following claims
County Revenue Fund $35,637.44
Road & Bridge Fund $22,992.57
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Total $58,630.01
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2)Approve Resolution 20-25 Viking Snowmobile Trail Grant Agreement
3)Approve Resolution 20-26 Gopherland Snowmobile Trail Grant Agreement
4)Approve Resolution 20-27 La Crescent Snowmobile Trail Grant Agreement
5)Approve Resolution 20-28 Houston Money Creek Snowmobile Trail Grant Agreement
6)Affirm the following personnel actions:
i.Sheriff’s Office
1.Hire Kurt Zehnder, Nathan Klinski, Seth Louks, Kaylee Inglett, Doug Inglett
and Brett Levin as temporary-casual (67 day) Deputy Sheriffs for Water Patrol
and Road Patrol augmentation.
ACTION ITEMS
Burns moved, Walter seconded, unanimously carried to approve a Conditional Use Permit for Greg Larson to build a dwelling on less than 40 acres in an Ag district in Houston Township, with the following conditions: The permittee shall comply with all federal, state and local laws and regulations.
Burns moved, Walter seconded, unanimously carried to approve a Conditional Use Permit for Sarah Sander to operate a pet crematorium in an Ag District in Brownville Township, with the following conditions:
1. The Permittee shall comply with all federal, state and local laws and regulations;
2. The County may enter onto the premises at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner to ensure the permit holder is in compliance with the conditions and all other applicable statutes, rules and ordinances.
Burns moved, Miller seconded, unanimously carried to approve a Conditional Use Permit for Pamela Bauer to operate a pet crematorium in an Ag District in Winnebago Township, with the following conditions:
1. The Permittee shall comply with all federal, state and local laws and regulations;
2. The County may enter onto the premises at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner to ensure the permit holder is in compliance with the conditions and all other applicable statutes, rules and ordinances.
3. The Permittee shall use appropriate cremation bags for animal carcass transport.
Walter moved, Miller seconded, unanimously carried to send a letter to our Legislative delegation to request support for extending the DHS waivers and procedure modifications past the peacetime emergency period for COVID-19 response.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Administrator Babinski shared that first half of 2020 property tax payments have been coming in at a pace equal to or exceeding last year. There have been some inquiries into the 2-month abatement of payment late fees, but most payments were received on schedule.
He also shared that five precincts have opted for “Mail-in” voting only for the fall elections. The filing period for interested applicants starts runs from May 19 to June 2. Absentee voting for the Primary election begins June 26.
Walter attended a personnel meeting for Workforce Development, Inc. to discuss their salary negotiations. She also attended an AMC webinar on COVID-19 topics.
Burns attended the land use committee meeting this morning and provided an update on the projects planned this summer. He addressed the CSAH 6 project and issues with fixing a curve on CSAH 25. He also shared the work he had done with Dick Walters at Botcher Park to make it more usable.
Miller attended an EDA meeting and shared that a few more companies had taken up the County on the offer to delay payments at this time. EDA is gathering more info on what grant/loan help could be accomplished with County EDA funds. He attended Hiawatha Valley Mental Health meeting, sharing they have moved to the New Caledonia location. Burns asked if we could use EDA funds for business support. Miller stated that EDA has limited funds to help with promotion, but has been actively sharing business news through social media.
Johnson spoke about the meeting with Barrientos to finalize the Request for Proposals for a Construction Manager to finalize the design and construct the Highway Department Shop. There were several proposed changes to align the document with the board’s intent. Administrator Babinski will share the final version with the board later this week once received back from Barrientos and it will be on the May 19 workgroup session agenda for review.
Myhre attended his first SEMCAC meeting and discussed the many grants they work with.
Public comment: Randy and Mary Mell asked the Board to consider opening Wildcat Park to the seasonal campers. The Board said they were following the Governor’s Executive Orders and MN DNR guidance, but would be reviewing it at their next workgroup session.
There being no further business and the time being 11:44 a.m., motion was made by Miller, seconded by Walter, unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting. The next advertised meeting being a Board Workgroup Session on Tuesday, May 19, 2020.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
HOUSTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA
By: Eric Johnson, Chairperson
Attest: Jeffrey Babinski, County Administrator
THE ABOVE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSTON COUNTY BOARD OF COM-MISSIONERS IS ONLY A SUMMARY. THE FULL TEXT IS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AT THE HOUSTON COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE AS WELL AS ON THE HOUSTON COUNTY WEBSITE LOCATED AT THE FOLLOWING WEB ADDRESS: http://www.co.houston.mn.us/
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