Brainerd committee orders winter removal of most flags, seeks bids for new poles and lighting

The Brainerd City Safety and Public Works Committee on July 24 approved a staff recommendation to remove most flags from downtown poles and park locations for the winter, keep the flag at City Hall in operation, maintain one downtown flag with lighting, and solicit bids to replace several downtown poles with fixtures that can be lowered without a lift.

Why it matters: The motion addresses practical maintenance, public-observance and safety considerations. Several downtown poles lack lights and require a lift to lower flags; staff said replacing those poles or adding lights would reduce recurring labor and equipment costs and make it easier to display flags at half-staff when required.

Key details: Mike Havergoors, public works director, told the committee the city has 12 flagpole locations: the water tower (counted as one location despite three poles), City Hall, five downtown poles on cross streets, and five in parks. He said some downtown poles are of a design that requires a lift to lower the flags and that several poles downtown do not have lights. Staff had already taken down flags downtown and in parks and recommended they remain down for the winter, with City Hall’s flag remaining up. The committee approved a motion to keep the City Hall flag flying, keep one prominent downtown flag (on Laurel Street) operational and to put the remaining downtown and park flags out for bids to replace poles and add lighting.

Discussion and decision: Committee members discussed whether to leave downtown flags up during periods when half-staff display would be needed; one member suggested keeping a single, lit downtown pole operational for visibility while replacements are procured. The committee passed the motion by voice vote. Staff noted they will send specific emails identifying which pole(s) would remain in use and will solicit quotes for pole replacement and lighting. Public utilities director Chris Evans and his crew were publicly thanked by staff for assisting with the quick removal of flags earlier in the week.

What is next: Public Works will issue a bid request for poles and lighting and will report back with costs and installation options. The committee did not set a specific procurement timeline at the meeting.