Council rejects Rotary Park solar agreement after debate over cost, liability and public benefit

The Brainerd City Council voted Dec. 1 to decline approval of an updated solar development agreement for Rotary Park after heated debate about who would shoulder long‑term maintenance and decommissioning costs and how much benefit the array would provide to city ratepayers.

Public works director Mike Habigor told the council the Rotary Club requested removal of clauses that would have made the club responsible for maintenance and decommissioning after warranty expiration; the new agreement instead assigns ongoing maintenance and decommissioning responsibility to BPU. Habigor said the updated agreement also adjusts project timing and adds Michelle Francis as Rotary’s signatory.

Councilmember Chzach objected to shifting those future obligations and expenses to ratepayers. “This isn’t a location where the threat of vandalism is extremely high,” he said, and argued the project delivers negligible portfolio benefit. Chzach noted BPU staff had not recommended the change and cited an $11,000 preliminary utility expense to extend power to the site; he said the array’s payback was decades long and that long‑term maintenance costs would fall to utility customers.

Chzach moved that council not approve the revised agreement; Jagger seconded. Councilmembers Johnson, Beans and others expressed support for rejecting the agreement, citing concerns that the project was largely symbolic, the park’s natural character could be compromised, and the city or ratepayers could face ongoing costs. The motion carried on a council vote to reject the updated agreement.

What happens next: With council action, the previously approved agreement will not move forward in its amended form. Staff and the Rotary Club may need to renegotiate terms or revisit project financing; any revised agreement would return to council for consideration.