Minnowa Construction Inc., the low bidder, was awarded the $557,997.75 contract to replace the two box culvers on Wiebke Hill Road in Wilmington Township at the January 10, 2023, Houston County Commission meeting.
The county received three bids; Minnowa Construction at $557,997.75, Midwest Contracting, LLC at $590,801.00, and VanGundy Excavating LLP at $627,071.00.
County Engineer Brian Pogodzinski explained that the low bid is approximately $180,000.00 more than the engineer’s estimated project cost of $380,195.50, “Box culvert prices have skyrocketed over the last year. This is not an issue that is isolated in Houston County or SE Minnesota but all over the state.”
According to Pogodzinski State Finance has agreed to pick up the additional cost since it is a statewide issue. The project will be paid for from MnDOT’s town bridge account and the balance will come from the special town bridge account.
Board members in attendance: Greg Myhre, Bob Schuldt, Robert (Bob) Burns, Eric Johnson, and Chairman Dewey Severson.
The meeting agenda and the minutes from the January 3, regular board meeting were unanimously approved.
The board confirmed the leave of absence (up to 10 years) for Mary Betz beginning January 3, 2023, according to Minnesota Statue 2.088.
On February 22, 2022, the board approved the purchase of a 2023 model plow truck chassis from Nuss Truck and box, plows, and lights from Towmaster. Pogodzinski explained “Due to increases in raw materials, labor, freight, energy, supply chain issues, both Nuss Truck and Towmaster are increasing their costs for the truck already ordered.” The new truck will be a 2024 model. Nuss Truck increase is $9,002.87 and Towmaster’s increase is $37,021.00. The increase in costs were approved.
The County approved Pogodzinski request to purchase the snowplow truck box, plows, and lights from Towmaster’s for the 2025 snowplow truck. The cost is $200,344.00.
The board approved the purchase of a Case 590SN backhoe loader from Titan Machinery for $74,500.00.
Houston County hauler license renewals were approved for Harter’s Trash & Recycling, LLC, Hilltopper Refuse & Recycling, Inc., Midwest Roll-Off, Inc., Richard’s Sanitation, LLC, Schoh Trucking, Two Guys & A Dumpster, and Waste Management of WI, Inc. Environmental Services Director Martin Herrick explained that Generation X Construction has not submitted its application or fees and, as in years past, will submit this spring due to the seasonality of its business.
Approved ABC/Woodland for Community Based Supported Employment service agreement beginning January 1, 2023, ending on December 31, 2023. The three services identified in the contract include community-based support employment, center-based supported employment, and transportation. According to Director of Public Health & Human Service John Pugleasa, the agreement includes an updated rate structure.
The commission approved the creation of a jail operations review committee. The contract with Winona is ending at the end of 2023. Committee members include Commissioner Severson and Schuldt, Sheriff Swedberg, Jail Administrator Mark Olson, PSAP Coordinator Dean Ott, and Finance Director Carol Lapham.
Chairman Severson asked the commissioners to take a second look at the 2023 committee assignments. In addition to the new jail operations review committee changes were made to the personal committee due to a perceived conflict of interest.
In other business, the board:
• Reappointed Dayna Burtness to the Houston County Economic Development Board. The three-year term expires on December 31, 2025.
• Approved the two-year guardianship contracts with the following individuals – John Miller, Gregory Yakle, Clinton Brainard, Nora Beckjord, Bonnie Gregerson, and Terry Lund. Pugleasa explained, “It is much more economical than going through an organization.”s
Chairman Severson called to adjourn at 10:44 a.m.
The next regularly scheduled Houston County Commission meeting is Tuesday, January 24, at 9 a.m. in the County Commission Board Room 222, located on the second floor in the historic county courthouse, Caledonia, or via the county conference call line (312) 626-6700 enter ID: 994-7297-7175 and password 368422. Public attendees are requested to mute their line until addressed.