Commissioners Dewey Severson, Eric Johnson, Robert Burns, Teresa Walter, and Greg Myhre were all present via Zoom at the April 6 regular meeting of the Houston County Commission. The chairman called the meeting to order at 9 a.m.
COVID-19 update
Wisconsin opened COVID-19 vaccines to anyone over 16 on Monday, and Minnesota opened the vaccines last week. The county received its first shipment of Johnson & Johnson and will conduct a small clinic Wednesday. There will also be a Moderna clinic Wednesday morning and a second dose clinic later in the week. By the end of the week, the Houston County Public Health Department will have done over 700 doses. Residents are reminded to take the first vaccine offered.
Director John Pugleasa shared his feelings with the board, “Our volunteer community has been exceptional.”
Eagle Scout project presentation
Boy Scout Tanner Kubitz proposes building a 175’ cross-buck fence at Bob Botcher County Park. The fence will keep people from walking over the bank and serve as a guideline to lead visitors down to the trail and keep out unwanted vehicles. Twenty scouts and five adults from his troop and family will assist him with the construction of the fence over the next month. The total cost to build the fence is $739.00 with a $33.66 mail-in rebate from Menards. The sections are 8’ in between 4’x4’ posts. Kubitz thanked the commissioners for their support and Kubitz was thanked for his service to the community.
Consent agenda
Commissioners removed number two and four from the consent agenda before unanimously approving it. Agenda items two and four will be added to next week’s meeting agenda.
Commissioners approved the County Human Resource Department’s request to change the employment classification of Kathlene Barnet, deputy auditor/treasurer-license center, to regular status, effective April 21, 2021. The department will begin a search for a highway maintenance specialist to take over for Christopher Hartley, who was reassigned to the position of maintenance foreman. Gerry Klug will be hired as a temporary/casual technical clerk B-21, Step 5 (on-call basis as needed).
The license application and delivery agreement for Generation X Construction for the next nine months, March 24 to December 31, 2021, was approved.
Commissioners unanimously appointed Dennis Yeiter, La Crescent, to the county’s “Parks Committee” as a community member.
Publish and post “Notice of Public Hearing” to amend the Wildcat Park Ordinance No. 9. – Park Rules and Regulations for Wildcat Park. The required public hearing will be scheduled for April 27 at 10 a.m. during the regularly scheduled Board of Commissioner’s meeting. A copy of the proposed changes will be available at the Houston County Auditor’s office.
Action items
The 2021 grant agreement with the Department of Agriculture to hire a certified applicator to treat noxious weeds along the river was unanimously approved. The Department of Agriculture will reimburse the county $5,000.
Lucas Onstad and Dewey Severson can now use the county credit card when doing county business.
County Engineer Brian Pogodzinski presented seven quotes for the commissioners approval: liquid chloride from Northern Salt Inc., gravel for shoulders from Bruening Rock Products, stockpile quotes, equipment rental, crack fill from Farhrner Asphalt, pavement marking, and seal coat bid. All were approved.
On March 23, 2021, commissioners approved to negotiate a five-year Master Agreement with Bolten and Menk. This week commissioners approved the Master Agreement for airport planning, engineering, and construction services, March 2021 through February 2026. The first work order for Bolten and Menk for land acquisition next to the airport was approved. The total cost is $19,303 with the county’s commitment of $1,930, and the balance will be paid for by the FAA. The seven acres is located south of the airport’s entrance and east of Hwy. 76. Pogodzinski explained that Bolten and Menk would review everything regarding the land appraisal and review and submit the environmental document.
Discussion items
Board updates are scheduled for the end of the meeting and are worth waiting for because attendees can hear about new projects like talk of a bike trail connecting Houston, Hokah, and La Crescent to the bike trail from La Crosse to La Crescent that “goes nowhere.” There was even a suggestion of an elevated boardwalk across the marsh areas.
Commissioners confirmed that Wildcat Park opens May 1. It was also mentioned that the county is implementing a lottery system starting in 2022 for campers at Wildcat Park.
The Houston County Commission’s next meeting is Tuesday, April 13, 2021, at 9 a.m. The public is invited to dial in. Contact Donna Trehus, (507) 725-5803 to be included in remote meetings.
Leave a Reply