Baxter sets public hearing in move to collect outstanding bills

BAXTER-For those with unpaid and delinquent utility bills, the city of Baxter took a step closer to adding those amounts to the property taxes.

The city scheduled a public hearing at 7 p.m., May 17, for certification of delinquent utility bills, invoices and abatements. In the past, unpaid and delinquent utility bills were added to the property owners' property taxes twice a year for collection, as state law allows. In addition, if services are unpaid related to the rental inspection program or outstanding nuisance abatements, those charges are certified to the property taxes as well.

The first step in this process is the public hearing. There can be another hearing in the fall. After the hearing, the council makes the decision to certify the outstanding amounts to the property taxes.

"Certifying the unpaid, delinquent utility bills and outstanding charges to the related parcel's property taxes ensures the city collects for services provided and water, sewer and storm water enterprise charges, along with sales tax and other state fees to the following year's property taxes," the city reported.

In other business, the council:

Adjusted to the new computer tablets for the council members and city hall Wi-Fi in an effort to go paperless, or mostly paperless, for the council packets.

Approved the seasonal position for a park attendant.

Park attendants oversee the Whipple Beach Recreation Area, mowing, ballfield maintenance, as well as opening, cleaning and closing park pavilions. The city pays $10 per hour for the position. Staff recommendations for the jobs included Tom Graumann, Zachary Mohrfeld, Michael Lyscio, Gretchen Gramer, Devan Liebeg and Corey Nelson.

Approved a special event permit for Brainerd Lakes Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, scheduled June 25 at Forestview Middle School, where the event has been hosted since 2008. About 2,000 people are anticipated. The event will mean road closures on Knollwood Drive from Highland Scenic Road to Mapleton Road and on Mountain Ash Drive for the same segment. Baxter anticipates two to four hours of overtime for its police officers who are staffing the event. The Komen Race for the Cure includes a 5K run, a 5K walk, and a 1K walk

Reactivated the Cemetery Commission with an amendment eliminating the commission's authority to have financial control of the cemetery funds or the ability to enter contracts for services or direct employees.

Approved the agreement for Short Elliott Hendrickson professional services for the 2016 Fairview Road improvement for bidding, final assessment calculations/hearing, additional design and easement support not to exceed $25,353.

Ordered preparation for a series of road projects expected this year.

Plans and and specifications and advertising for bids were approved for the 2016 mill and overlay projects for segments of Cedardale Lane, Brentwood Road, Briarwood Lane, Birchdale Lane, Ashdale Lane, Second Street, First Street, Maplewood Drive, Kenwood Drive, Kenwood Court, Glenwood Drive, Madeline Drive, John Street and Mary Street, a full-depth reclamation on Clearwater Road between Dellwood and Golf Course drives and Woida Road, between Highway 371 and Golf Course Drive, as well as a turn-lane improvement at College Road and Cypress Drive. Council member Todd Holman abstained because he lives on one of the project areas. Bids for the project are expected May 17. The matter will be back before the council at 7 p.m. June 7.

Tabled the Widseth Smith Nolting agreement for professional engineering services for the Inglewood Drive railway crossing and Foley Road improvement feasibility report update not to exceed $9,750. The construction project is scheduled for 2021.

The project includes:

• Inglewood Drive-from Highway 210 to Foley Road-a Highway 210 intersection and improvement of signal lights, road extension from Highway 210 to Foley Road, separated paved trail, railroad crossing to meet requirements for a silent crossing so the train could pass without sounding its warning sound. The project includes right-of-way acquisition from BNSF Railway.

• Foley Road-Highway 48 to Forthun Road-extension of sanitary sewer and water distribution improvements, an Inglewood Drive intersection and turn lane improvements, realignment of the road at the intersections at Inglewood and Knollwood drives, trails and a full-depth reclamation of the rest of Foley Road from Highway 48 to Forthun Road.

• Knollwood Drive-Highway 210 to Foley Road-closure of the Highway 210 intersection and removal of the signal light. Removal of Knollwood Drive, from Highway 210 to Foley Road, and the removal of the railway crossing there.

Approved conditional use permits for grading and filling within the Mississippi River shoreland district to allow construction of an accessory building at 6245 Paris Road. Approval was also granted to grade and fill a low area within the shoreland district of Perch Lake related to an accessory structure at 13230 Timberlane Drive.

Awarded a 2016 lift station reconstruction project to DeChantal Excavating for $76,941.

Met in closed session with attorney Brad Person regarding Essentia Health's challenge to paying an assessment for the Isle Drive extension project. The city previously reported this is may be the first time an appeal to an assessment was brought after a developer's agreement was signed by Essentia Health to accept an assessment for the street project, which moved a dead-end near the Baxter Clinic to connect to Crow Wing County Highway 48 (also known as Highland Scenic Drive) and provide a southern link to Highway 371. After the closed session, Person said the council discussed a settlement negotiation on pending litigation but no action was taken. During the closed session, the council also discussed other property negotiations on value for a street project but without a settlement.

RENEE RICHARDSON, associate editor, may be reached at 218-855-5852 or renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com . Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Dispatchbizbuzz .

The story was updated to correct the first report that action on the Inglewood crossing project feasibility study was approved. That action was tabled until August and after budget discussions.