Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Homeless Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves one‑year, year‑round permit for Bridges of Hope under new safety and pathways conditions
Summary
After a year of coordinated changes with police and community partners, Brainerd City Council approved a one‑year interim use permit allowing Bridges of Hope to operate its Bridge on 7th shelter year‑round, with annual reporting and police referral language if the facility is found to be used in a disorderly manner.
Brainerd City Council voted April 6 to amend the interim use permit for Bridges of Hope, permitting the Bridge on 7th shelter to operate year‑round for one year under a new public‑safety plan and a formalized "Pathways" compliance procedure.
The council action follows a presentation from Bridges of Hope leaders, who said the organization hosted 168 different guests and provided 4,435 bed nights from Sept. 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026. Shelter manager Bill Weir told the council the guest age range was 18 to 71, and that 53% of guests stayed 30 days or fewer while 14% stayed longer than three months. Bridges staff described partnerships with Lighthouse Beginnings (shuttle service), Crow Wing County housing teams and other local nonprofits to connect guests to housing, treatment and services.
Community development staff briefed the council on the proposed amendment. The planning commission had recommended approval with three conditions: the amended interim use permit (IUP) will expire April 30, 2027; the Brainerd Police Department may ask the council to review, suspend or revoke the permit if the facility is used in a disorderly manner; and shelter staff will provide an annual report to council each year prior to Sept. 1.
Police Chief John Davis said his view of Bridges' operations has improved after a year of cooperation: "I do feel good about how we have addressed it ... and I would support a year‑round one‑year IUP," he told the council, while cautioning that time will ultimately show whether all concerns are resolved.
Several council members sought a tighter tie between the IUP and Bridges' own public‑safety plan. Councilmember Johnson proposed — and the council adopted as a friendly amendment — language making referral or review contingent not only on disorderly use but also on failure to follow the public‑safety plan Bridges presented. The motion to approve the IUP amendment, as amended, passed on a roll‑call vote.
The permit requires Bridges of Hope to follow the Pathways compliance procedure and the public‑safety plan already included in the IUP packet, to report annually to the council, and to accept review by the police chief and council if operations raise safety concerns. Councilmembers emphasized the approval is for one year to allow a follow‑up evaluation.
