PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF HOUSTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Date: Tuesday, July 28, 2020 9:30 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
Pledge of Allegiance.
Walter moved, Myhre seconded, unanimously carried to approve the agenda.
Walter moved, Burns seconded, carried to approve the Minutes from the July 14 Board Meeting.
Burns moved, Walter seconded, carried to approve the Minutes from the July 21 Workgroup Meeting.
Walter moved, Myhre seconded, unanimously carried to approve the Minutes from the July 7 Work Group Session.
Public Comment: None
PH&HS provided an update on the COVID-19 pandemic and state-wide trends. Access to testing remains a challenge. The board discussed the recent State-wide face covering mandate.
The Board received a presentation from the Houston County Historical Society and a review of their 2020 budget and activities. Shirley Johnson thanked the board for their continued support. Over the last year, they received visitors from 29 states and 4 countries. They have been impacted by the COVID-19 closures, but used the time to tackle their backlog of donated items. They plan to replace the floor finish in their main building’s basement at a cost of $50,000, paid through donations. Their plans to celebrate their 60th anniversary with opening a new building have been delayed. They also highlighted that they have not asked for an increase in the County appropriation in over ten years, and again thanked the board for their support.
Myhre 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 $190,491.09
Road & Bridge Fund$1,562.815.69
Total$1,753,306.78
2)Approve Peddler’s License for Scott Gibson operating under Scenic Concepts selling Aerial Photography services.
3)Affirm the following personnel actions:
1.Auditor/Treasurer
1.Accept the resignation of Darlene Peter, Deputy Auditor/Treasurer – License Center, effective the end of the work day August 14, 2020 with thanks to Dar for a total of 22 years of service to the residents of Houston County.
2.Confirm the initiation of an expedited competitive search for a Deputy Auditor/Treasurer.
2.Highway Department
1.Hire Adam Heberlein as a probationary Sign Specialist, B24-2, Step 1, effective August 3, 2020, conditioned upon a successful completion of a background check.
3.Public Health and Human Services
1.Assign Rebecca Larson as a probationary Eligibility Worker, B23, Step 1, effective August 3, 2020.
2.Initiate a competitive search for a Case Aide, B22 to fill the position vacated by Rebecca Larson.
3.Change the employment status of Lauren Arneson, Social Worker, from probationary to regular effective August 3, 2020.
4.Sheriff’s Office
1.Change the employment status of Christopher Frick, Patrol Sergeant, from probationary to regular effective July 10, 2020.
ACTION ITEMS
Burns moved, Walter seconded, unanimously carried to approve the contingent allocation of $5,000 to the Houston County Historical Society.
Miller moved, Burns seconded, unanimously carried to approve an addendum to the 2020-2021 Agreement between Houston County and CEDA for CARES Act economic assistance support.
Walter moved, Miller seconded, unanimously carried to approve Resolution 20-40 PH&HS TZD Grant for 2020-2021.
AUTHORIZATION TO EXECUTE
MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
2020 TOWARDS ZERO DEATHS STATE ROADS GRANT
BE IT RESOLVED, The Houston County Board of Commissioners authorizes the Houston County Public Health and Human Services to enter into a grant agreement with the State of Minnesota Department of Public Safety to execute the 2020-2021 Toward Zero Deaths Safe Roads Grant Program; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Houston County Board of Commissioners authorizes the County Board Chairperson, County Administrator and the Public Health and Human Services Director to execute such agreements and amendments as necessary to implement the project on behalf of Houston County.
Burns moved, Walter seconded, unanimously carried to approve a one-year contract with SELCO for library services within the County.
Walter moved, Miller seconded, unanimously carried to select Weiser Brothers General Contractor, Inc. as the Construction Manager for the Highway Building project and authorize the Highway Building Committee to negotiate a final contract for future board approval.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Walter discussed the meetings with SELCO and area librarians to settle the SELCO contract for 2021.
Burns addressed the Airport Planning Commission meetings and discussed budget implications of several projects, including an environmental study, culvert lining and card reader upgrade for the fuel system. Most would be paid by Airport Grant money, but he expected a $11.6k cost to the County for these projects. He also discussed continued interest in offering a courtesy car to visiting pilots. Additionally, he attended the finance committee meeting and relayed we are at a 54% spent point, which is on track for the time of year. Finally, he addressed work on Botcher Park and thanked the Highway Shop for mowing some of the trail network there.
Myhre addressed potential for budget cuts from the state next year and being prepared to adapt our budget.
Johnson stated he had been part of initial labor negotiations.
Miller addressed discussions from the EDA discussions and CARES Act discussions with the cities and townships. He addressed personnel concerns with the license center. He also initiated a brief discussion with the board about the zoning permit processes and expressed he was satisfied that procedures were being followed by the zoning office. Johnson said he’d received complaints that the permitting process is confusing and long – as well as all online. He suggested a paper version of the permit request should be presented to township supervisors the way it used to be.
Public comment: None
There being no further business and the time being 11:17 p.m., motion was made by Burns, seconded by Walter, unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting. The next advertised meeting being a Board Workgroup Session on Tuesday, August 4, 2020.
Dist. 1: Yes Dist. 2: Yes Dist. 3: Yes Dist. 4: Yes Dist. 5: Yes
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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