Photo by Wanda Hanson
At the regular Houston City Council meeting April 14, the council learned that the owl sculpture currently on display in the city park in Houston, Minn., is in need of repair. The chainsaw sculpture was originally completed on a tree stump in the park. Time has been the enemy of the sculpture; the bottom of the sculpture has been compromised by weather and aging.
Karla Bloem, executive director of the International Owl Center, consulted the chainsaw artist who created the sculpture as well as additional artists. The consensus was that the carving should be cut off and removed above where it has been compromised, sealed, mounted on a metal base and then installed on a concrete pad. The Owl Center is willing to do the work and cover the cost of the project; a volunteer at the center who works in a metal shop will make a special metal base which will allow air flow underneath the sculpture to better preserve the carving.
Bloem and city PWD Randy Thesing discussed the possibility of placing the owl sculpture somewhere at the Trailhead Park rather than returning it to City Park. Thesing pointed out that the park needs some trees replaced and wanted to make sure that appropriate spaces were available for that.
Bloem commented that the original goal was to scatter owl sculptures around the city to encourage tourists to visit the rest of the city as well as the Owl Center.
The council readily decided to allow the Owl Center to take the sculpture down and do the necessary maintenance. They suggested that Bloem, Thesing and the Tree Board work together to choose a new location for the sculpture.
Ambulance Updates
The council followed the city staff recommendations to switch billing companies for ambulance billing from Expert Billing to Midwest EMS Billing, LLC. Outstanding bills will remain with Expert Billing; the new company will begin with a clean slate. The collection agency will remain unchanged. The city staff has access to all necessary billing records and insurance remittances.
The two combination monitors/defibrillators LIFEPAK 35s which were ordered a few months ago have arrived and will be on display to community members at the ambulance’s upcoming 60 years of service celebration.
Ambulance Director Chris Cox and Anna Frauenkron shared some of the finalized details of the celebration. A silent auction will be held; prizes are being gathered. All of the current ambulance crew will be in attendance at the April 26 celebration which will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Lions are creating a video that highlights past crew members commenting on the ambulance service and its history. Frauenkron called the video, “A treasure we’ll have for a long time!”
Food and beverages will be available, Balloons by Kevin will provide fun for kids, Houston Schools will have art projects celebrating the ambulance on display and the Houston Area Museum will provide a historical display about the ambulance service as well.
Anna Frauenkron reported that she had taught a CPR class at Mall of America last week. She was happy to inform the council that 17 students from the class taught in collaboration with the school intend to become certified as EMRs through the Houston Ambulance Service.
Other Business
In other business the council:
- Approved the annual noxious weed report completed by PWD Randy Thesing; the report required the signature of Mayor Scott Wallace and council approval;
- Approved an additional drinking water resolution which would allow the city to apply for PFA funding to replace lead pipe service lines to homes during the Spruce Street project;
- Heard from City Administrator Michelle Quinn that several applications had come in for the Conservation Corps and the Nature Center positions, but not for the lead Conservation Corps position as of yet;
- Authorized advertising and interviewing for student summer rec workers;
- Authorized City Administrator/Clerk Michelle Quinn to attend the upcoming LMC League of Minnesota Cities) Annual Conference if Quinn feels the sessions would prove beneficial.
