BAXTER - Add a city planner to the list of employees Baxter is looking to hire.
The Baxter City Council Tuesday accepted with regret the resignation of Greg Wagner, who has been the city's city planner since Aug. 5, 2004. His last day of employment is Sept. 12.
Wagner's resignation comes a month after the retirement of City Administrator Dennis Coryell, who also had been with the city since 2004. The council has started the process of hiring a new city administrator.
In a letter to the council, Wagner said he has accepted an economic development planner position with the West Central Initiative in Fergus Falls. He also said that though he wasn't looking for a new position, moving to Fergus Falls would allow him to be closer to his extended family.
"When it was offered it was an opportunity that I could not turn down," Wagner said in his letter.
Because the city is understaffed, Wagner offered to maintain contact with staffers after his last day to help with existing projects.
In other action, the council:
Approved by a 4-1 vote a Joint Powers Recreation Board recommendation to raise fees for baseball and softball programs by $15 and $5 for all other programs. Community Development Director Bill Deblon said the fee increases were needed because of budget shortfalls in recreation programs. "Nobody likes to increase fees but we have no choice," Deblon said. Voting against was council member Jim Klein, who said there also should be an additional fee for all non-residents who participate in Baxter recreation programs.
Acting as the Baxter Economic Development Authority, heard a presentation from Sheila Haverkamp, Brainerd Lakes Regional Development Corp. executive director. BLADC is seeking a total of $37,300 in funding from Baxter in 2009. Mayor Darrel Olson said the request would be considered during the city's budget process.
Set a closed council meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 27 at Baxter City Hall to discuss Imgrund Motors litigation with the city's attorney, George Hoff.
Approved an interim conditional use permit to allow for the outdoor display of recreational vehicles and special events in a designated area of the parking lot at Gander Mountain.
MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.
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