Posted: 4/19/05
County will match funds for new fair restroom
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
County commissioners pledged $17,000 in matching funds to the Houston County Ag Society (Fair Board) to help pay for a handicapped-accessible bathroom/shower facility at the fairgrounds.
The action came at the boardís April 12 meeting after about 20 minutes of discussion with fair board members Ben Klankowski and Ann Emery.
The motion states that the county will match $8,500 of private donations and $8,500 of public/governmental donations. The estimated cost of the project is $35,000. It will also include a 1,200-gallon dump station.
The new bathrooms and showers will be built onto the existing block of bathrooms. It will bring the fair board into compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act, Klankowski told the board. ìWe donít have any permanent handicapped-accessible (bathroom) buildings out there,î he said.
Remodeling existing toilets would open a can of worms, he added. ìNew construction is the best option weíve found.î
Emery said the work was going to start immediately. She said that townships are also being contacted to make a donation.
The new facilities will also make the fair grounds more attractive to special events like the Tri-State Horse and Mule Sale and the Honda Gold Wings District Rally, Klankowski said.
Fourth district commissioner Dave Corcoran encouraged the fair board to talk to the 4-H Federation for help in funding it. He said if they had some ownership in the building, they would take better care of it. ìI like ownership,î he aid.
Second district commissioner Kevin Kelleher, who made the motion to provide matching funds, said the fair board should contact the City of Caledonia and groups in Caledonia who have gambling licenses, because the facility would benefit Caledonia the most.
Wetland extension granted
In other county board business, commissioners approved a 60 day extension for a wetland application by Roverud Construction for expanding a washing plant for rock at the Gengler quarry in sections 16 and 21 of Mayville Township.
Members of the Houston County Technical Evaluation Panel (TEP) met with Roverud representatives on March 3 and felt that the application does not meet the avoidance criteria of the Wetland Conservation Act. They recommended that the permit application be denied.
The purpose of the TEP board is to evaluate wetland applications that are filed in the county so that they comply with federal regulations. The board consists of Root River SWCD Director Ralph Tuck; county engineer Allen Henke and zoning officer Rick Frank; and representatives from the Minnesota DNR, the Board of Water and Soil Resources, and the Army Corp of Engineers.
Chemical waste pick up
Frank informed the board that a chemical waste pickup for things like unused herbicides will take place on Thursday morning, May 19, at the fairgrounds. A per-pound fee will be charged.
Frank said that the Minnesota Department of Agriculture used to pay for the program entirely, but funds have been cut back because of state budget problems. ìThereís very little help at all,î he said.
ì(Weíre) Left holding the bag again,î Corcoran commented.
Winona County provides the equipment in which to place the hazardous waste. They will also send a person who is trained in handling it for the May 19 event. Houston County has to pick up and return the equipment to Winona.
Frank said after the meeting that the state collected about $1.4 million last year from a tax that people pay when they buy ag chemicals. This year they are giving about $250,000 of back to counties. Houston Countyís share is $957 to collect and dispose of herbicides. That is forcing the county to charge people who bring in chemicals.
Rob Gross reports
The board passed a National Incident Management System (NIMS) resolution at the request of veterans/emergency service director Rob Gross. It is required by the Homeland Security Directive as a way to help different governmental agencies work together.
Each city already has its own emergency manager, usually the fire chief, and that wonít change, Gross said. When things exceed the city level, they move to the county level, then to the state level.
Itís a paper change only for now, Gross said. He feels that everybody is up to speed and knows his role. ìWeíve always said a plan is something that sits on a shelf.î
Gross also praised Governor Pawlentyís choice for new Minnesota Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, Clark Dyrud. Gross said that Minnesota is the strongest state in the nation on veteransí issues. ìThe approval rates are better than any other state,î he said.
Other business
ï The board approved a solid waste disposal amendment with La Crosse County. The vote was 3-1, with Kelleher voting no. First district commissioner Larry Graf was absent. The amendment runs from June 30, 2008 to June 30, 2023.
ï Engineering assistant Shawn Peter told the board that a bridge on County Road 24 two miles north of Freeburg will be replaced this summer. Traffic wonít have to be detoured, because the alignment of the road will be changing and the old bridge can be used until the new one is done.
The board approved a request from Peter to acquire easement on land that the Minnesota DNR owns where the new bridge is going. The board approved it.
ï Third district commissioner Ann Thompson said that the jail study committee had settled on a list of eight companies to interview for the job of programmer for the new jail. Interviews will take place on May 9 and 10. The programmer will help determine the needs for the project, site selection, and how to proceed. ìItís the first step, phase one,î Thompson said.
ï Some commissioners also were dismayed that the Minnesota House or Representative wonít bring a gas tax forward for fear of a veto from the governor. ìTheyíre a gutless bunch,î Kelleher said.
Fifth district commissioner Tom Bjerke said the gasoline tax is the ultimate user tax because people who drive a lot pay more in taxes.
Commissioners have spoken in favor of a gas tax increase at past meetings. They often complain about the poor condition of state highways in the county.
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