Public to weigh in on on-street trailer parking regulations

BRAINERD — A public hearing is set May 15 on new regulations for parking trailers on public streets in Brainerd.

Right now, vehicles — including trailers and RVs — cannot be parked on the street for more than 48 continuous hours. After that time, they must be moved at least three blocks away and cannot return for another 48 hours.

City staff said unattended trailers not following these guidelines created hardships this year for the streets maintenance department in terms of snow removal and street sweeping.

The City Council’s Safety and Public Works Committee discussed the issue last month , resulting in a proposed ordinance that would prohibit unattended trailers — those unattached to vehicles — from being parked on the street from Nov. 1 through March 31.

A public hearing on the issue will take place at the council’s next regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. May 15.

In other business May 1, the council:

Approved seasonal hires: Audrey Breen, concession stand worker, $15.50 per hour; Gillian Middagh, concession stand worker, $15 per hour; Katie Brietback, concession stand worker, $16 per hour; Donovan Jensen, Mary Waytashek, Larry Eckel and Pamela Hayes, adult softball umpires, $32 per game.

Restructured Brainerd Public Utilities, appointing Todd Wicklund as the director, eliminating the superintendent and finance director/secretary positions and creating a finance manager position.

Approved a street closure application for the Central Lakes College Mental Health Awareness 5K run, set from 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 6. A portion of East River Road will be closed for the event.

Approved an event application for the annual Corpus Christi procession, hosted by St. Francis and St. Andrew’s Catholic churches 3-4:30 p.m. June 11. The route will use Juniper, North Eighth and Willow streets.

Awarded a bid for the Graydon Avenue outfall repair project to DeChantal Excavating, in the amount of $51,971. The project will repair a failing corrugated metal pipe and outfall adjacent to Graydon Avenue about 400 feet east of Woodcrest Road.

Accepted the resignation of Theresa Woodward from the Planning Commission.

Scheduled a joint workshop with the Brainerd Public Utilities Commission for 6 p.m. June 26. The location has yet to be determined.

THERESA BOURKE may be reached at theresa.bourke@brainerddispatch.com or 218-855-5860. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DispatchTheresa .