Council authorizes financial study for YMCA pool, approves hires and capital solicitations

Brainerd’s City Council on Feb. 17 authorized staff to contract with Baker Tilly to perform a financial analysis of a proposed YMCA community pool and approved several routine personnel and capital actions.

Councilmember Gabe Johnson moved to authorize Baker Tilly to evaluate how a proposed YMCA pool might be financed—cost estimates, bond schedules, potential referendum requirements—and to charge the $5,000 study to the special‑projects budget line. Johnson said the study would give the council options and clarity before making a larger funding decision. The motion passed on a roll‑call vote after members debated prioritization of infrastructure and existing capital needs.

Separately, the council approved an updated job description and authorized recruitment for two water‑service worker positions to reconfigure field staffing after a retirement; the move is intended to increase operational efficiency.

In public‑works business, council authorized solicitation of bids for the 2026 chip‑seal program (Improvement 2601) and for the CIP lining project (Improvement 2604) to extend the useful life of aging streets and sewers. Committee discussion noted that lined mains generally have a 20–25‑year useful life and lining is less disruptive—and less expensive—than full reconstruction.

What happens next: Baker Tilly will deliver the financial analysis; council members said they were open to seeing the findings before making any funding commitment. The utilities department will advertise bids for the road and lining projects and staff will initiate hiring for the water positions.