Browns Valley council approves parcel sale, accepts $3,500 grant and applies for state water loan

BROWNS VALLEY, Minn. — At its Feb. 23 meeting, the Browns Valley City Council unanimously approved a series of motions that included selling two city-owned parcels to a local buyer, accepting a $3,500 grant and seeking a state loan for water system work.

On a motion by Councilmember Jan Biewer, seconded by Devan Dobbs, the council approved Resolution 26-09 to sell parcel numbers 20-0401000 and 20-0400000 to Aaron Hickman for $400 plus applicable recording fees. The motion passed unanimously.

The council also accepted $3,500 in Navigator grant funding from the League of Minnesota Cities, approving Resolution 26-07 on a motion by Dobbs, seconded by Jerry Johnson. Council members voted unanimously to accept the grant.

Separately, the council approved Resolution 26-08 — on a motion by Dobbs, seconded by Tony Miller — authorizing the city to apply to the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority for a loan from the Drinking Water Revolving Fund to support its municipal wastewater and drinking water system. The council record does not specify a requested loan amount.

During the consent portion of the meeting, the council unanimously approved the Feb. 9, 2026 regular meeting minutes and approved claims totaling $31,598.51, including payroll of $8,160.59 and claims of $23,437.92, on a motion by Tony Miller and seconded by Devan Dobbs.

The council directed Code Enforcement Officer Terry Biewer to proceed with compliance action at 310 4th Street North and 112 6th Street South for alleged violations of junk-vehicle regulations under Minnesota Statute 168B.04. The direction passed unanimously on a motion by Jerry Johnson, seconded by Jan Biewer.

Widseth engineer Bryan Bye provided a verbal update on the Well Project; the minutes record an update but include no specific recommendations or funding actions tied to that report. City Administrator Jodi Hook-Hansen, Library Director Bernice Piechowski, Code Enforcement Officer Terry Biewer and City Attorney Matt Franzese gave brief departmental reports. Chief Deputy Andy Miller of the Traverse County Sheriff’s Office provided a law-enforcement update for the city.

The council set the Board of Equalization for April 6 at 3:30 p.m., listed possible future agenda items including sales tax, tier pricing and strategic planning, and scheduled its next meeting for March 9 at 5:30 p.m. The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. and adjourned at 6:18 p.m.

Votes at a glance: - Resolution 26-09 (Sale of parcels 20-0401000 and 20-0400000 to Aaron Hickman for $400 plus recording fees): Mover Jan Biewer; second Devan Dobbs; unanimous (Mayor Mike Heck, Jan Biewer, Tony Miller, Jerry Johnson, Devan Dobbs). - Resolution 26-07 (Accept $3,500 Navigator grant from League of Minnesota Cities): Mover Devan Dobbs; second Jerry Johnson; unanimous. - Resolution 26-08 (Apply to Minnesota Public Facilities Authority for Drinking Water Revolving Fund loan): Mover Devan Dobbs; second Tony Miller; unanimous. - Direction to Code Enforcement to pursue compliance at 310 4th Street North and 112 6th Street South under Minnesota Statute 168B.04: Mover Jerry Johnson; second Jan Biewer; unanimous. - Consent approvals (minutes and claims totaling $31,598.51): Minutes mover Jerry Johnson; claims mover Tony Miller; unanimous.

The minutes do not record any roll-call dissent or split votes. No dollar amount for a potential MPFA loan was specified in the meeting record.