Posted: 1/31/06
La Crescent Historical Society seeking county funds
County commissioners donít
commit to La Crescent request
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
The La Crescent Historical Society has signed a purchase agreement on a house that will serve as its headquarters and display area, and would like some help from Houston County in funding it.
Member Don Thesing explained the progress of the organization to county commissioners at their January 24 meeting.
He also requested $2,000 from the county, plus a $1,000 annual donation after that. He noted that the city provides a large tax base to the county.
Commissioners didnít commit to the financial request. Tom Bjerke asked Thesing if he had talked to the City of La Crescent. Thesing responded that the city was fully supportive of the purchase, but he hadnít gone back to them for funding.
Commissioner Larry Graf asked if Winona County had been approached. Thesing said no.
Winona County would not be supportive, historical society member Joe Ready said. ìI live in Dresbach Township [in Winona County] and that means nothing now,î he said.
La Crescent is one of the largest parts of Houston County, and a lot of people spend time there, Ready added. ìWeíre just interested in having you in with our project,î he said.
Commissioner Ann Thompson called the purchase of a home a nice idea. A lot of La Crescent people work in La Crosse, so it is good to emphasize your own town, she said.
Graf said the county struggles to balance its budget, but it would take a look at the La Crescent request.
Thompson said usually cities support such things, and the county has never done a donation to an individual city. She suggested that the group contact the Houston County Historical Society, which the county donates to.
Thesing said in his introduction that the La Crescent Historical Society was formed in 1990. It has had a dream since then to own a home to showcase both La Crescent and Houston County history Thesing said. Items are now located in homes, a shed, and city hall. ìWeíve really outgrown our space,î he said.
Closing on the purchase will likely be done in March, pending historical society board approval in February. More than $100,000 has been raised for the purchase, Thesing said.
The home they are purchasing is located at 328 South Third Street. Thesing called it a good spot, easily accessible for elderly people and close to the three elementary schools.
The property also contains a 30-by-40-foot pole building which can hold farm and orchard implements, Thesing added.
The home will be remodeled, and a ramp, restroom, and entry added. Most of the displays will be downstairs.
Thesing said he hopes the house will be a gathering spot for senior citizens.
The group wants to have it open for the Apple Fest this September, and for the cityís sesquicentennial in 2007.
Personnel items
In other county board business, the board approved hiring Jennifer Blocker as E-911 dispatcher at Step I of the Jailer/Dispatcher Law Enforcement Labor Services Union, which is $14.81 per hour.
The board also accepted the resignation of Mary Lampert as home health aide in the department of public health.
Personnel director Tim Comstock presented the board with a pay equity compliance report, which the board approved. This is required every three years, Comstock said.
Wildcat Park changes
The board voted to advertise for a park manager for Wildcat Park in Brownsville, with the option to renew for 2007 only. The park is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) and leased to Houston County.
The county highway department will also take over responsibility of mowing the park. This will be paid for by reducing the fee split with the park manager from 67-33 to 50-50.
The following fee rates were set: overnight parking, $5; shelter, $35/day; primitive sites, $17/night; electrical sites, $20/night; river sites, $25/night; seasonal sites, $290/month, with all five months paid in advance.
The status of the 18 seasonal sites could be up in the air in the future. Commissioners Ann Thompson and Dave Corcoran have held meetings in recent months with COE representatives who would like to see the seasonal sites reduced or eliminated.
The COE feels the park is meant for transitional, not permanent campers, Tim Comstock said. The goal is to accommodate more people who want access to natural resources, he said.
Thompson said the COE wants to see a two week maximum on camping.
They are willing to go with 18 seasonal campsites for now, Corcoran said. He called it a good compromise. ìThey want to ensure thereís a sufficient amount of camping space for people passing through and want access to the river,î he said.
That approach brings in more outside money, Thompson said.
EDA report
Joyce Iverson and Kermit McRae gave commissioners a copy of the Houston County Economic Development Authority 2005 annual report.
McRae is the groupís president; Iverson is the community and business development coordinator.
The EDA has a budget of $33,000. Other board members are Dave Corcoran, vice president; Todd Roesler, treasurer; and Barb Bissen, Tom Bjerke, Ed Hammell, and Sheri Johnson.
Bjerke, a county commissioner for district 5, encouraged the EDA to focus on the start up of new companies and on entrepreneurs.
Revolving loan funds are available for that, commissioner Kevin Kelleher said.
Bjerke said that once the La Crosse McCormick building is sold in Spring Grove, it will free up money. LaCrosse McCormick had operated a clock shipping operation in Spring Grove in a pole building on the east side of the city. The company decided in September to move its operation to Onalaska, Wisconsin, is in the process of moving now, Spring Grove city administrator Tom Falbo said on January 27.
La Crosse McCormick purchased the building in 2001 with an economic development loan through the Minnesota Investment Fund (MIF). MIF is a Small Cities Economic Development grant from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. It provides below market financing with the goal of helping companies acquire buildings and equipment, or land, and hire new workers.
Iverson said the loan will be repaid in full, with $100,000 plus interest going to the county and the balance of $42,000 going to the State of Minnesota.
Itís important to work with what you have, Ann Thompson said. ìNothingís going to happen huge overnight,î she said. ìItís slow progress and itís a lot of work.î
Bjerke said the EDA needs to keep the excitement going from some county citizens who attended a Blandin leadership conference last year.
McRae estimated the group had 50 core people who work on projects. He said the group mostly does infrastructure work on things like airports, trails, marketing. It also caters to expanding businesses or entrepreneurs, he added.
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