Caledonia Argus

Board considers mosquito control

Posted: 4/13/04

By Shannon McKinney
Argus News Reporter

Houston County commissioners tabled a decision for funding mosquito control services for prevention of encephalitis pending the decisions of area municipalities.

The county has had no cases of the mosquito-borne illness in the past four years. Public Health Director Linda Grupa, who attended the Tuesday, April 6, county board meeting, attributes its success to aggressive eradication of breeding sites. Several years ago, Houston County represented 25 percent of Minnesotaís encephalitis cases.

Due to severe cuts in state funding, Houston County did not contract with La Crosse County Vector Control for eradication services in 2003.

Dave Geske of the La Crosse County Vector Control appeared with Grupa proposing that Houston County, along with its municipalities, share in the costs of vector control. The public health department and environmental services would provide in-kind support by oversight of the program, supervision of staff, consultation and education resources.

The total cost of the program is $7,000 and Geske has proposed that Houston County pay for $2,000. The rest of the cost would be split up between the seven cities according to their population.

Geske explained that the West Nile Virus among other diseases need to be monitored and breeding sites eliminated.

Commissioner Dave Corcoran suggested, ìThe best thing is to approach the cities. Yeah, we can pick up the tab, the whole tab, but sometimes it helps with giving people ownership of the program.î

Geske added, ìWeíve got new tools, a camera and picture of the site weíre dealing with [to put on the internet].î

Commissioner Ann Thompson questioned Environmental Services Director Rick Frank, ìAnything new with tires?î

ìIf theyíre out there, Iíll find them!î Frank responded.

Tires filled with water have been shown to be a prime breeding spot for disease carrying mosquitoes.

County considers defibrillator

Commissioners considered purchasing an automatic external defibrillator (AED) at the cost of approximately $3,000 to place in the Houston County courthouse in case someone has sudden cardiac arrest.

Emergency Management Director Rob Gross and Grupa requested the device.

ìCPR is great at oxygenating the brain, but an AED delivers a shock and within three minutes there is a 70 percent recovery rate,î Gross said.

He suggested having two or three people on each floor trained to use the machine. Training takes about three hours.

Gross recommended purchasing a model that is easy to use, ìItís one an elementary student can use.î

It was noted that the Good Samaritan law protects individuals who administer the equipment from any liability if they are trying to save the victim. Grupa said the machine will not administer a shock if it detects a valid heartbeat. ëWe think itís a good idea. Weíve been unsuccessful at finding a grant. It think itís maybe something to put in the budget,î she said.

Commissioner Larry Graf suggested, ìWeíll discuss it further. Maybe we can put on a county-wide bake sale.î

Commissioner Ann Thompson said, ìI donít think itís so huge an expense that itís something we canít absorb.î

The board tabled its decision until Graf researched whether the countyís insurance provider might be able to purchase it for the counties.

Case aid resigns

The county will advertise for a replacement for Jenny Stark, who will resign on April 16. She has served as a case aid in the human services department for four years.

She plans to take a position at the Hiawatha Special Education district.

The board also approved the purchase of $1,200 for child support equipment in the human services department with money taken from child support incentives.

Public Health week

Commissioners issued a resolution proclaiming April 5th-11th, 2004 to be Houston County Public Health Week.

Part of the resolution states that 25 of the 30 years of life expectancy gained by Americans over the past century were the direct result of advancements in public health.

Highway department

The board approved advertising for two construction projects.

A box culvert needs to be replaced on Co. Rd. 10 near Sheldon. The board will also advertise for bids for the seal coating of Co. Rd. 18 and 21.

Commissioners also approved the right-of-way for three plats to be used for laying out the limits of construction and delineating property owners and how much land is needed.

County Engineer Allen Henke explained, ìWeíre in the process of implementing plats. Itís more of a benefit for the public. Itís much clearer what weíre purchasing.î

The board approved the purchase of a new tractor for the price of $35,594, which is about $5,000 more than what was budgeted. Tom Molling, maintenance supervisor, pointed out that they were originally going to buy a used tractor, but buying new is a better deal. The highway department will hold off purchasing other equipment to make up the difference in going over budget.

Permits approved

The board approved three variances for Brad Holland, Duane Thomford and Charlie Wiegrefe.

Holland, of Money Creek, received a variance for encroaching on a township road to add 10 feet to expand his garage into a two-car garage.

Thomford, of Caledonia, received a variance to encroach on a highway setback to add eight feet for an addition to his house.

Wiegrefe was granted a conditional use permit to expand his dairy operation to over 300 animal units. He also received a variance because it is within half a mile of residential subdivision.

Feedlot coordinator Bob Scanlan noted that at the time that Arnie Fruechte, developer for Green Acres, was going through the permitting process, it was put in the minutes that Wiegrefe might possibly expand his dairy operation.

The board of adjustment approved his feedlot request because of the low odor risk. Scanlan noted that there was a good crust over his manure basin and he has adequate acreage to spread the manure. Wiegrefe also plans to build new free-stall barns, which will help eliminate some odors and allow for reduced run-off from his open lots.

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