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Council approves multiple administrative measures; franchise‑fee study fails
Summary
At the meeting the council approved staff direction to advertise SAHA funds, authorized a city code codification contract up to $30,000, awarded a $268,000 construction observation contract for the Highway 210 project, approved an $18,170.95 final pay request for M Street outfall, and set a Feb. 17 public hearing for an orderly annexation; a motion to continue development of franchise fees failed.
The Brainerd City Council acted on a slate of procedural and administrative items in addition to the YMCA presentation and public comments.
Key council actions included:
• SAHA funds RFP: The council directed staff to advertise a request for proposals for available State Aid for Housing (SAHA) funds with a Feb. 20 submission deadline. Staff noted the current balance reflected in the packet and that Habitat for Humanity has been a prior recipient. (Personnel & Finance Committee)
• City code codification: The council authorized staff to enter into an agreement with American Legal Publishing (ALP) for online code codification services, limited to $30,000. Staff said the codification will correct cross-references, obsolete citations, and provide an online, ADA‑accessible platform for accessing city code.
• Highway 210 cooperative agreement and construction observation: The council approved a cooperative construction agreement for the Trunk Highway 210 (Washington Street) reconstruction project and awarded the construction observation contract for the water main and sanitary sewer portions of the project in the amount of $268,000.
• Final pay request — M Street outfall: Council approved the final payment of $18,170.95 for Improvement 2408 (M Street outfall repair).
• Orderly annexation — Riverside Drive: Council called for a public hearing on Feb. 17 to consider a joint resolution designating an orderly annexation area along Riverside Drive; staff said the agreement would not immediately annex properties but would allow subsequent annexations of properties adjacent to municipal utilities or island properties.
• Franchise fee study: A council motion to continue developing a franchise fee structure (including engagement with electric and natural gas utilities) failed after members debated the merits and fairness of franchise fees and whether they would duplicate payment‑in‑lieu‑of‑tax efforts.
Votes were recorded by roll call or voice for each item; the meeting record shows motions carried for the SAHA RFP, codification contract, Highway 210 items, final pay request and the annexation hearing call, while the franchise fee development motion failed.
