Brainerd council approves street and utility contracts, adopts special-events and airport ordinances and hires public services director

The Brainerd City Council on July 6 approved a suite of committee recommendations and formal actions spanning capital projects, consultant contracts, ordinance adoptions and a departmental hire.

Chair Jeremy (Tad) Erickson presented the Safety & Public Works committee’s items and asked the council to "signify concurrence" with the draft 2027 Capital Improvement Program work plan so staff could continue moving identified projects forward; Erickson clarified the motion did not constitute final CIP approval, which will come later. The council voted to concur with the committee recommendation.

The council approved Change Order No. 4 for Improvement 2314 (Hawkins Drive, Ronald Street, Joseph Street and alley reconstruction) to revise the substantial completion date to June 29, 2026 and final completion to July 15, 2026 after the city requested contractors delay work to accommodate galvanized water‑service line replacements.

Council also approved a $20,800 proposal from NPL Construction for sanitary sewer lateral locating services tied to improvement 2607 (Haines addition reconstruction) to improve accuracy of as‑builts and reduce future project risk. For the 2026 large patching project (improvement 2602) the council accepted staff’s recommendation to approve a final contractor payment that increased the project by $16,857.75 for a revised total of $71,370.65, with members noting the increase reflected deeper existing pavement than originally estimated.

Separately, the council approved geotechnical task orders from Braun Intertech for two 2027 reconstruction projects (Linwood/Edgewood/Brentwood and Haines addition) and recommended staff and the city attorney finalize task order agreements and master consultant contracts before final signatures.

In committee action on land matters, the council concurred with Crow Wing County’s non‑conservation designation for tax‑forfeit parcel PID 41360584 (a roughly 0.1‑acre triangular parcel) so the county may offer it for sale at the county land sale.

Personnel & Finance committee business included a letter of support (amended wording: "support" rather than "authorize") allowing Northland Arboretum to use levy dollars as a grant match; the motion passed 6–1 with Councilmember Yeager voting no. The council also approved hiring Zach Sorthout as Public Services Director effective July 27, 2026.

Ordinances: the council conducted final readings and adopted Ordinance 16‑04 (special events permit requirement for events on city property) following a short public hearing with one supportive comment; and adopted Ordinance 16‑05 (amended airport agreement language) after staff added language addressing a previously raised "twice taxed" concern. Both ordinances were adopted and summary publication resolutions were approved.

Votes at a glance: • Concur with draft 2027 CIP work plan — motion carried (no roll‑call objections recorded in discussion). • Change Order No. 4, Improvement 2314 — approved (non‑monetary date adjustment). • NPL Construction sanitary locating contract — approved; amount $20,800. • Final payment, Improvement 2602 (large patching) — approved; project increased by $16,857.75 to $71,370.65. • Braun Intertech geotechnical TOAs — approved to finalize agreements. • Concur with Crow Wing County non‑conservation designation for PID 41360584 — approved. • Adopt Ordinance 16‑04 (special events) — adopted (roll call recorded as yes). • Adopt Ordinance 16‑05 (airport agreement) — adopted (roll call recorded as yes). • Northland Arboretum letter (support wording amendment) — approved 6–1. • Hire of Zach Sorthout, Public Services Director — approved (motion carried).

What’s next: staff will finalize consultant task orders, pursue required CIP steps later this year to approve the full capital plan, and onboard the new Public Services Director on July 27, 2026.