Big changes are coming to Brainerd Public Schools facilities.
During Monday night's Brainerd City Council meeting, Council President Gary Scheeler revealed some changes the district would be making to three of its schools.
The district is currently near the tail end of a long-range comprehensive facility planning process, undertaken by a steering committee and a full committee, both of which involve representatives from the community and receive input from district staff and faculty members.
Scheeler is a member of the committee and during the council member reports portion of Monday's meeting said Brainerd High School is slated to receive a "major facelift."
"And a big thing was, keep it in Brainerd and do a major update," Scheeler said. "So that's kind of where the committee is going."
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Harrison and Lincoln elementary schools will also "probably be torn down," Scheeler said. To replace Harrison, the district is looking at building a new elementary school on the old state hospital site, near the intersection of highways 18 and 25, Scheeler added.
Scheeler said he would invite interim Superintendent Bob Gross to an upcoming council meeting in order to update the council on the process. The last committee meeting is Thursday, after which the plan will be brought to the public, he said.
During a community forum hosted by the school district last week on April 13, committee members noted the group has started moving into specifics and has started looking at possible solutions or recommendations to present to the Brainerd School Board.
The initial goal was to bring a long-range comprehensive facilities plan to the school board for adoption in a May meeting, but that timeline may have to be extended, as there will be more feedback coming between now and the scheduled May 9 board meeting.
In other Scheeler-related business, at the beginning of the meeting, Mayor Ed Menk congratulated Scheeler on the role he played in helping to rescue two people who were thrown from their boat into the cold water of Rice Lake on Friday. In the coming weeks, it's possible Scheeler will be officially recognized for his role in the rescue, Menk said.
Scheeler thanked his neighbor Julie Kletscher, for her quick thinking and for the use of her pontoon during the rescue.
"She put a lot into it and for keeping me calm," Scheeler said. "Everybody knows how excited I am."
In other business, the council:
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Called for citizen applicants for the Cable TV Advisory Committee, Library Board, Rental Dwelling Board of Appeals and Walkable Bikeable Committee.
Approved new contractor licenses for Kiffmeyer Plumbing Inc, Sauk Rapids; M.A.C. Masonry Inc., Elk River; Real Solar Inc, Backus.
Approved a secondhand auto license for Patrick Beutz doing business as FCA Sales, 301 Washington St. The approval is contingent upon the completion of a successful fire inspection.
Noted the location change of Electric Vapors Inc. from 711 Laurel St. to 717 Laurel St.
Approved an application and permit for a 1-4 day temporary on-sale liquor license for the Brainerd Jaycees for an event July 29-30 in downtown Brainerd.
Approved a request from the American Legion Auxiliary to hold Poppy Day on May 13 throughout the city of Brainerd.
Received a written report from Police Chief Corky McQuiston on the department's activity for the month of March. The department responded to 1,539 calls during the month, compared to 1,494 calls in March of 2015.
Accepted donations received from Jan. 1 through March 31. The Parks and Recreation Department received $21,101 in donations, the Legionville School Safety Patrol Training Center received $3,980 in donations, the Brainerd Fire Department received $625 in donations and the Brainerd Police Department received $50 in donations.
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Approved a street closure application from the Brainerd Jaycees for the annual Lil' Rubber Duckie Race on Aug. 6. The event will close the south side of the Laurel Street bridge from about 12:45-1:15 p.m. to start the race.
Approved a payment to Ludenia Appraisals in the amount of $20,000 for 20 appraisals performed in relation to the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport Utility Extension project. The properties were appraised to determine the value of permanent utility easements being acquired for the project.
Awarded the bid for the 2016 chip seal project to the low bidder, Asphalt Preservation Company, Inc., in the amount of $132,796. This is 14 percent below the engineer's estimate.
Approved a quote to hire Northwoods Landscaping for downtown Brainerd landscaping and maintenance in the amount of $11,875.
Approved a contractor payment to Short Elliott Hendrickson in the amount of $7,825 for the airport utility extension project.
Accepted with regret the resignation of Kurt Doree from the Brainerd Fire Department paid on-call roster. Fire Chief Tim Holmes noted Doree has been with the department for a little more than 12 years. His resignation is effective April 30.
SPENSER BICKETT may be reached at 218-855-5859 or spenser.bickett@brainerddispatch.com . Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/spenserbickett .
