"Where Fillmore County News Comes First"
June 13, 2022 by Charlene Corson Selbee Leave a Comment
Houston County commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, June 7, from 9-9:52 a.m. at the historic county courthouse in downtown Caledonia.
Commissioners in attendance include Chairman Greg Myhre, Robert (Bob) Burns, Eric Johnson, and Dewey Severson. Absent was Teresa Walter.
Chairman Myhre called the meeting to order and led commissioners and the public in the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioners approved the June 7 meeting agenda and the May 24 meeting minutes.
The 2022 State of Minnesota Boat and Water Safety Grant in the amount of $5,310.00 was approved. According to the contract, the Houston County Sheriff’s Department will “provide county sheriff services for boat and water safety activities.”
Personnel matters approved include Heidi Lapham, deputy auditor/treasurer – License Center clerk, employment status changed from probationary to regular, Alex Goergen hired as the new highway department maintenance specialist, Kruger’s request to initiate a competitive search for a probationary child protection social worker to fill the position vacated by Tricia Laganiere Sand, and a search for a temporary/casual tech clerk I to fill a recent vacancy in the sheriff’s office.
The board supports the creation of the Northern Grain Belt Port Statistical Area as presented to the commission at the May 24 commission meeting.
Tamiko Hubka and Elsie and Lee Babler’s requested assistance from the county’s Revolving Loan Fund for building renovations at 111 E. Grove Street in the amount of $37,500. EDA Director Allison Wagner said the EDA recommends approving the request at the 2022 rate and terms (2.25% for 10 years). According to the owners, there will be a hair salon and boutique on the main level. The barn, a former livery stable, will become a vintage/antique shop, and the upper level an Airbnb. The owners also received a $37,500 EDA revolving loan from the City of Caledonia. Commissioner Burns shared, “I think it is a good investment as far as our funds are concerned. It will improve downtown business. It takes away a bar that has been closed for years and we will have an active business. The Airbnb upstairs will be interesting to see how that goes. Parking is a little bit of an issue downtown but they will have parking on the side.”
Allison Wagner, EDA Director asked commissioners to approve a letter of support for a Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) grant application. The grant will cover the cost to develop an active transportation corridor plan from the new trail bridge in La Crescent to the intersection at Miller’s Corner for a potential bike trail. It was noted, “It will be easier to get grants in the future.” Wagner shared that La Cresent will be the fiscal agent for the multi-city and county project.
Todd Schmieg of Stump Jumpers, LLC located in Houston was granted a peddler license for stump removal and clean-up. The Sheriff’s Department ran a background check. Schmieg is also licensed in Winona, Caledonia and is applying in Houston. The application states that Schmieg plans on using a track driven stump grinding machine. The permit is valid from June 1 – June 30.
Commissioners approved the contract presented by Public Health & Human Services Director John Pugleasa with Next Chapter Technology for the Electronic Document Management System (EDMS). The final cost of the contract after a $21,192.00 multi-county project discount is $183,547.00 which includes software licenses, implementation services, and migration services. The board previously approved the use of ARPA funds for this project. Commissioner Severson stressed, “We have to keep our stuff up-to-date, and we got the ending of the program with Winona County.”
The next regularly scheduled Houston County Commission meeting is Tuesday, June 14, 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.
Filed Under: Government, News Tagged With: Caledonia
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Governor - TIM WALZ Office of the Governor 130 State Capital 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. St. Paul, MN 55155 800-657-3717 | 651-201-3400 mn.gov/governor/
U.S. Representative - JIM HAGEDORN District 1 hagedorn.house.gov
U.S. Senator - AMY KLOBUCHAR www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public 507-288-5321 | 888-224-9043
U.S. Senator - TINA SMITH www.smith.senate.gov 507-288-2003
State Representative - GREG DAVIDS District 28B 651-296-9278 rep.greg.davids@house.mn
State Senator - JEREMY MILLER District 28 651-296-5649 sen.jeremy.miller@senate.mn
•Caledonia City Council, City Hall, 6 p.m.
•Grand Meadow City Council, Community Center, 6 p.m.
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•City of Rushford City Council, City Hall, 6:30 p.m.
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•Fillmore County Commissioners, Courthouse, 9 a.m.
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•Kingsland School Board, Elementary Conference Room, 6 p.m.
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