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County will hold off on county road 249 project until spring
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By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
Due to the very wet October, which put Tri-County Electric Co-op crews way behind, Houston County will not be moving forward with the County Road 249 project this fall. After listening to Highway Engineer Brian Pogodzinski, Highway Superintendent Tom Molling and Les Goetzinger of the Freeburg Evangelical Free Church, the board agreed it would be best to wait until next summer.
The county was able to obtain an easement for a small parcel of land (just less than one-half acre) owned by the DNR to straighten out a sharp curve in the county road between Freeburg and the Mississippi River. That appeared to be the last piece in the puzzle to get the project moving forward. But due to the fact Tri-County is behind on utility relocation projects, and the project would also tie up county trucks that are also used to plow snow, all agreed it would make better sense to wait until spring.
The project is near the Evangelical Free Church. Currently, the church parking lot is across the roadway from the church. When the project is completed, the parking lot will be next to the church.
In other board action:
Snow removal ordinance
The board approved changes in the current snow and ice control policy to help keep county roads clear of vehicles following a snow. The county ordinance now reads:
“To facilitate the plowing of county roads, a snow emergency may be declared after a snow fall of two or more inches or after an ice storm. All motor vehicles, trailers or other vehicles shall be removed from all county roads and alleyways within two hours of the event. The emergency will remain in effect for a period of 24 hours or until the roadway is plowed/sanded.
“For urban streets, that shall mean the entire width from curb to curb. Should a snow/ice event occur between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. vehicles should be moved as soon as practicable, but no later than 8 a.m.
“Vehicles parked along roads during snow emergencies hamper the efforts of snow removal operations and can be dangerous to snow plows and other vehicles traveling the road. Snow emergency parking restrictions and authorization for towing is covered under Minnesota Statutes 169, “Traffic Regulations.”
“When parked vehicles are blocking snow removal operations, the highway department may contact the appropriate law enforcement agency and ask that the vehicle be towed.”
Remaining flood recovery money
Pogodzinski told the board the State of Minnesota has sent out notices if the counties that were eligible for the $26 million in flood relief funds don’t utilize that money by the end of the year, the remaining $10 million will not be made available.
“With all of the engineering and studies that need to be conducted, it is impossible for a small county like ours to complete everything before the end of the year,” Pogodzinski said. “I’d like to draft a letter, have the board review it and then send it on to our state legislators and the officials at Mn/DOT.”
The county board encouraged Pogodzinski to draft the letter and have it ready for the next board meeting.
SHIP grant reviewed
Heather Myhre of the Public Health Department reviewed the SHIP (Statewide Health Improvement Program) grant with the board. Houston County is one of nine counties in SE Minnesota that are part of a group that received a grant to help promote better health for its residents.
Phase one of the program was the planning of various programs to help curb tobacco use, obesity, exercise and nutrition for school aged children. The nine-county group received $635,000 for phase one.
Phase two is the implementation of the various programs. An additional $1.7 million has been earmarked for phase two. One third of Myhre’s salary is currently being paid for through the SHIP program, as she is the program organizer for the county.
You can contact Charlie Warner at
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