PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF HOUSTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Date: Tuesday, June 23, 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
Presiding: Chairman Johnson
Call to order. Pledge of Allegiance.
Walter moved, Miller seconded, unanimously carried to approve the agenda as amended.
Burns moved, Walter seconded, carried to approve the Minutes from the June 9 Board Meeting.
Walter moved, Myhre seconded, unanimously carried to approve the Minutes from the June 16 Work Group Session.
PH&HS provided an update on the COVID-19 pandemic and state-wide trends. Cases continue to trend upwards and the age range is trending lower. Local cases are not isolated to one community, so all must be vigilant in following the strategies to avoid viral spred. Miller shared information from a recent meeting with news from the state that the HHS operating waivers requested had been approved in the legislative special session. The group discussed some of the challenges from a shared state border, and the difference in response and information provided by those communities, where spread continues as well.
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 $111,707.52
Road & Bridge Fund $661,582.73
Total $773,290.25
2) Approve Resolution 20-32 State Boat and Water Safety Grant.
AUTHORIZATION TO EXECUTE THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES 2020 BOAT AND WATER SAFETY GRANT
BE IT RESOLVED that the Houston County Board of Commissioners accepts the State of Minnesota 2020 “Annual County Boat and Water Safety Grant Agreement” Contract #177094; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County Board Chairperson, County Administrator and Sheriff are authorized to execute the Contract and any amendments on behalf of the County of Houston.
3) Affirm the following personnel actions:
1. Highway Department
1. Accept the resignation of Wesley Burroughs, Maintenance Specialist, effective the end of the work day of June 25, 2020 and thank Wees for his service to the residents of Houston County.
2. Initiate a competitive search for a Maintenance Specialist, B23-2.
2. Public Health and Human Services
1. Initiate a competitive search for a Case Aide, B-22, assigned to Public Health.
ACTION ITEMS
Burns moved, Myhre seconded, unanimously carried to accept the low bid offer for SAP 028-599-093 from Icon Constructors, LLC for a bridge replacement on Prairie Ridge Road in Sheldon Township for a cost of $551,799.
Miller moved, Burns seconded, unanimously carried to approve Resolution 20-33 Houston County Veteran’s Memorial.
AUTHORIZATION TO ACCEPT DONATION OF
HOUSTON COUNTY VETERAN’S MEMORIAL
WHEREAS, The Houston County Veteran’s Monument Committee has established and maintained a memorial for Houston County Veteran’s on the grounds of the Historic Houston County Courthouse; AND
WHEREAS, the non-profit group Houston County Veteran’s Monument Committee wishes to disband and turn over ownership and responsibility for the County Veteran’s Monument; AND
WHEREAS, the on behalf of the residents of Houston County, the Houston County Board of Commissioners wishes to thank the Monument Committee and associated Veteran’s associations for their long-standing efforts to recognize and honor the Veterans of Houston County;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Houston County Board of Commissioners assumes ownership and responsibility for the Houston County Veteran’s Monument and commits to providing the care and maintenance of the monument so it may continue to serve as a reminder to all who visit of the dedication and the sacrifice made by Houston County residents in answering our nation’s call.
Walter moved, Miller seconded, unanimously carried to approve a motion stating: “In the interest of public health and safety, all people must wear a face covering within county facilities when in contact with county employees and citizens.” After discussion, the County’s Social Distancing and Face Covering (Mask) Policy was updated to reflect that it is mandatory for employees and members of the public to wear masks or facial coverings in County facilities when working with a member of the public or a county employee, including entering and exiting buildings, offices, elevators and halls. Employees may remove masks when at a work area and appropriate social distancing standards may be maintained. Additionally, job-specific requirements (primarily Highway Department, Sheriff’s Office) take precedence over this policy change. ADA accommodations will be made and any public unable to comply with the mask policy may contact the office they require service from to arrange an appropriate accommodation. The board agreed to review the policy in 30 days.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Administrator Babinski updated the board on county facility operations and COVID-19 restrictions. He shared a letter received from the City of La Crescent asking for changes in the conduct of next year’s Local Board of Assessment and Equalization. Additionally, he shared they board received a funding request from “A Caring Place” – a newly forming residential treatment center for youth aged 6-13 to be located in Minneota, Minnesota. He has asked Public Health and Human Services to review before requesting a board decision. He discussed the status of CARES Act funding, which was still being held at the state, pending resolution by the special legislative session.
Walter shared news from a WDI meeting, stating they were very busy with the increased unemployment across the region. WDI has been very busy transferring to online classes to continue service to their growing clientele. The EMS board has been focused on providing PPE to EMS and Fire Department units as well as nursing homes in need. She will request continued funding from the County to the EMS board. She also attended the annual meeting for the La Crosse Solid Waste program. She noted continued increase in the cost of disposing of tires, changes in the way Ag bags would be managed (individual programs, users should only see minor changes), and that La Crosse has funded two additional electric busses.
Burns attended the Finance Committee meeting and shared that expenditures and revenue were running close to last year at this point. He addressed the potential for more COVID-19 related costs through the end of the year as case counts continue to rise.
Miller shared information from the Parks committee meeting, specifically continued discussions of the lottery system for seasonal camping spot assignment. There will be a follow-up meeting with the Army Corps of Engineers to discuss the lottery requirement from their perspective as the property owners.
Johnson attended the Root River One Watershed One Plan meeting. He shared that the Crooked Creek project was pushed back an additional year due to a delay in the engineering work plan approval process. The grant funds allocated to the project expire the end of 2021, so they are concerned/frustrated by the delay. He said they are working on efforts to encourage additional prairie strips at the far-west portion of the watershed through increased CRP payments. He shared news that the County Fair had officially been cancelled. He and Walter would be attending the Extension Committee meeting this evening to discuss options for 4H to still provide some form of a judging experience for the youth.
Myhre also reference the finance committee meeting and discussed implications of the CARES Act funding.
Public comment: None
There being no further business and the time being 11:31 a.m., motion was made by Burns, seconded by Myhre, unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting. The next advertised meeting being a Board Workgroup Session on Tuesday, July 9, 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 HOUS¬TON 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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