BAXTER-Baxter will again be awash in pink next month.
The city council approved a special event permit for the July 8 Brainerd Lakes Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. The walk/run event has a 5K run or walk or a 1 mile walk with a Kids for the Cure Race for those age 2-10. begins at 8 a.m. July 8 at Forestview Middle School. About 1,000 people are expected to attend. The event to raise money and awareness and celebrate survivors has taken place at Forestview since 2008. Each year, the city reported, event volunteers meet with staff to look at ways to improve safety and efficiency.
Road closures are planned at Knollwood Drive, from Crow Wing County Highway 48 to Mapleton Road; and on Mountain Ash Drive from County Highway 48 to Mapleton Road. The city plans to send notices out to residents along the route who will be affected by the road closures. Expectations are for two to four hours of overtime for the police department because of event staffing.
In other business, the council:
Appointed Jean Collins to fill an open seat on the volunteer Cemetery Commission as recommended by Mayor Darrel Olson.
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Directed staff to submit a proposal to update and enhance the cemetery monument sign to Masco Corporation for consideration of a community project where paint and personnel would be provided for the work. There are 1,100 sites available in the cemetery's older section.
At the cemetery's May 15 meeting, the members heard a recommendation from Alex Hondl, parks and trails supervisor, to remove a couple of trees in order to promote grass and growth and less maintenance. Hondl recommended increasing the professional services amount in the budget to $750-$1,400 per year to assist with the tree removal. The commission will meet at 4 p.m. June 19 for a budget discussion.
The cemetery currently allows flat and upright grave markers. The commission discussed setting up future requirements for flat marker for the Baxter Cemetery first addition in order to limit maintenance. And the commission reported a memorial garden area should be removed since that would mean more work for staff. In looking at the issue of rutty and uneven ground at the cemetery, the commission invited council members to do a walk-through. In regard to headstones that are leaning or regressing into the ground, the commission sought information from neighboring cities and by consensus agreed to first attempt to reach family members.
Appointed Steven Jones to the volunteer Baxter Parks and Trails Commission to fill an open seat on the commission. Both Olson and Josh Doty, community development director, met with Jones prior to the recommendation.
Approved licenses for liquor, on/off sale beer, and Sunday sales for 24 businesses-restaurants and liquor stores, along with grocery or retail and convenience stores from July 1 through June 30, 2018
Approved the sale of the now unmarked 2013 police sedan and 2013 police SUV through Mid-State Auto Auction. Proceeds from the sale will go to the city's general fund.
Approved spending $2,600 from the alcohol forfeiture funds to purchase a squad radar unit. The department reported one 15-year-old radar unit failed and needed to be replaced.
Approved a temporary 3.2 on-sale beer license for a Brainerd Jaycees June 16-17 event at Mills Motors Inc.
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Approved a permit for retail sales of fireworks by TNT Fireworks Through July 7 at
Big Lots, Costco, Cub Foods, Target, and Walmart.
Adopted the 2018 Budget Calendar with a work session to discuss budget goals and priorities set at 5:30 p.m. July 18. The proposed property tax levy and capital improvement plan is anticipated for discussion at 6 p.m. Aug. 29. The preliminary levy is slated for approval on Sept. 19 with the final budget with additional meetings planned in the fall before the final budget is submitted Nov. 21.
Accepted a $1,500 donation from Essentia Health for a new metal memorial park bench on the east side of Isle Drive. The parks and trails commission instead recommended the benk be placed on the south side of the city pond along the trail and bike lane where the city has additional right-of-way. As per city policy, if a location can't be agreed upon, the donation is refunded. In general discussion of memorial park benches, the commission agreed it would be helpful for the city to have a guiding map where benches were most needed to assist when donations come in. At its May 22 parks and trails meeting, the commission heard city staff was contacted by the Brainerd Waterfront Committee about improving the kayak/canoe landing locations along the Mississippi River to promote the river and make it more user friendly for paddler. Staff also reported David Jeremiason, from the Paddle Folk group, was planning a community paddle group June 15 starting at Evergreen Park going to Kiwanis Park and inviting commissioners to join the social event. Doty noted Riverwood Park could be expanded for a kayak landing in the future. The next meeting is 4 p.m. June 26.
Accept a donation of about 20 shade trees to be planted by Essentia Health staff as a team building activity at Whipple Beach Recreation Area as the primary location and Oscar Kristofferson Park as the secondary location. John Landsburg is coordinating the project for Essentia.
Ordered the preparation of report on the Cypress Drive improvement project slated for 2018 improvement Project. A public open house for the project is 6 p.m. Monday.
Tried to find a date for a joint meeting with the Brainerd City Council. A July 25 date suggested by Brainerd was not workable as two Baxter council members had conflicts. Baxter Administrator Brad Chapulis said he'd go back and work on an alternate date.
Ordered preparation of a report on the 2017 Lakes Area Alano Sanitary Sewer and Water Service Improvement Project. A proposal calls for installation of sewer and water to the Alano building, 7829 State Highway 210.
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Ordered preparation of report on a plan to construct a 120-foot paved Arbor Glen Trail connection to the Paul Bunyan State Trail and assess the benefiting property for all or part of the improvement cost.
Ordered a report on the proposed 2020 Fairview Road project, which is about 500 feet west of Cypress Drive to Golf Course Drive and includes trail improvements on Highway 210's north side and assessments to benefiting properties.
Set a time of 7-8 p.m. for music at the Music in the Park event July 19 at Oscar Kristofferson Park.
Met in closed session regarding a final negotiation for purchase of property regarding the Foley Road project without coming to a final offer.
Met in closed session for labor negotiations with the Law Enforcement Labor Services before opening the meeting to the public again with a decision. The council voted to allow the police sergeants to consider breaking away from the LELS current bargaining unit as long as LELS doesn't object.
