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Fire department to fill positions Gets nod to refill half its losses in paid, on-call firefighters Staff Writer The Brainerd Fire Department will be allowed to refill half its losses this year in paid on-call firefighters.
With 10 paid on-call firefighters resigning since April 1, some because of the decrease in relief association pension funds, the Brainerd City Council on Monday approved spending $32,000 to hire and train five firefighters.
Fire Chief Fred Underhill told the Personnel and Finance Committee that the total cost for one year for one firefighter position was $6,400. He intends to seek grants to help out, but said it's been worked out within his allotted budget for 2009.
"I think you're being extremely prudent in asking for just five but I trust your judgment," council member and Personnel and Finance Committee Chairwoman Mary Koep said during the committee meeting before the council meeting.
In other action, the council:
Canceled a closed session to consider discipline against a city employee. The council had met in a closed session July 20 to give preliminary consideration of possible disciplinary action against an employee but made no decision. Sources previously told the Dispatch the employee is a full-time firefighter who allegedly used a fire truck to fill a swimming pool at his home one night in early July. City Administrator Dan Vogt said that, based on additional investigation discussed at the July 20 meeting in regard to the issue, no further discussion was necessary by the council.
Met in a closed session for union negotiation strategy discussion.
Accepted the resignations of paid on-call firefighters Keith Bachman, Steve Brandt and Mark Turner.
Accepted the resignation of Shelly Trimble from the Economic Development Authority.
Passed motions to analyze the city's street lighting system, including future street projects, to determine where lights could be removed or not installed in an effort to save money.
Heard from resident Jeff Czeczok, who asked for clarification regarding conflict of interest on the Economic Development Authority and asked that negotiations between the Brainerd Amateur Hockey Association and Brainerd regarding a contract to have BAHA manage the Brainerd Area Civic Center and Gold Medal Arena be open and transparent.
Held a public hearing and approved the first reading by a 6-1 vote on a liquor zone amendment request from Dianne Kay Ulmen for an on-sale liquor license at the former Choppers Bar and Grill site, 723 Mill Ave. Up until it closed, Choppers had a wine and beer liquor license. Ulmen wrote in a memo to the city that she is looking at purchasing the property for a neighborhood family restaurant with a full-service bar that would be open from about 11 a.m. -11 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Voting against was council member Mary Koep, who said such a business in a residential area would erode a "good, middle-class" neighborhood from the city.
Held a public hearing and adopted by a 5-2 vote a property maintenance code regulating and governing the conditions and maintenance of all property buildings and structures by providing the standards for supplied utilities and facilities and other physical things and conditions essential to ensure that structures are safe, sanitary and fit for occupation and use and the condemnation of buildings and structures unfit for human occupancy and use. Koep and Council President Kevin Goedker voted against.
Unanimously amended the city code to regulate public nuisances, junk and blight.
Adjourned the Safety and Public Works Committee meeting to 1:30 p.m. Aug. 10 to discuss the 2010 construction program for North Ninth, North Fifth and Kingwood streets, and storm sewer utilities, and to 2 p.m. Aug. 11 for a College Drive meeting.
Adjourned the Personnel and Finance Committee meeting to 6 p.m. Thursday for arena management contract negotiations with BAHA.
Approved up to $1,500 for soil borings to determine the cause of sinkholes at 324 S. Fifth St.
MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.
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