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Rental registration, license fee freeze? BRAINERD CITY COUNCIL Staff Writer Rental registration and license fees in Brainerd will not be increased - for now.
The Brainerd City Council on Tuesday, by a 3-2 vote, rejected raising rental housing registration and license fees from $12 per unit per year to $24 per unit per year to partially cover the cost of hiring an additional housing inspector. Voting against the increase were council members Lucy Nesheim, Bonnie Cumberland and Kelly Bevans. Voting in favor were council members Anne Nelson Fisher and Mark O'Day. Council members Kevin Goedker and Bob Olson abstained from voting.
The council's decision doesn't mean there will not be increased fees in the future. Instead, the council unanimously approved having the Personnel and Finance Committee look into alternatives.
The council's decision followed a public hearing at which several rental property owners and managers objected to the fee increase.
"I do not think it's fair to people trying to make a decent area of the city for people to live in," said Jim Randall. "It's hard on people that don't have an extra income."
Speaking in favor of the increase, Margaret Tiplady, a member of the Brainerd Coalition of Neighborhoods, said the improvement made to Brainerd's rental housing stock through increased inspections was worth the extra $2-a-month fee that would have to be paid.
"It is a fact that dilapidated housing, increased crime and increased fires go together," Tiplady said.
In other action, the council:
Adjourned to 5:30 p.m. Monday for the council's annual retreat at the Ramada Inn.
Approved a JOBZ zone request and business subsidy agreement with Bang Printing, which is seeking tax subsidies for a 50,000 square-foot expansion of its current business in east Brainerd. Bang Printing plans to add 9 jobs with the expansion. It is estimated that the tax subsidies would save the company about $523,500 through 2015.
Called for applicants for one three-year term on the Cable Advisory Board, three four-year terms on the Charter Commission, one one-year term on the Library Board and one one-year term on the Planning Commission. Mayor James Wallin informed the public that applying for one of the commissions does not mean the person has to serve the entire term. "Try it, and if you don't like it, you don't have to serve the four years," he said.
Directed city staffers to maintain the south sidewalk on the Laurel Street bridge as they do the north sidewalk - free of ice and snow - and to remove the sidewalk closed signs at the bridge.
Was informed that there would be a presentation on the proposed Mill Avenue project at the council's Feb. 5 meeting.
Approved $173,000 for improving the Memorial Park parking lot, and ordered plans and specifications for the improvement.
Appointed Kris Schubert as the city's human resources coordinator.
MATT ERICKSON can be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.
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