Two library board picks put on hold

Two appointments for Brainerd's Library Board were put on hold after questions were raised about their legitimacy.

Both Kadee O'Day and Sherri Goedker were recommended by Brainerd Mayor James Wallin for six-year appointments to the library board.

However, a motion made Tuesday by council member Mark O'Day - no relation to Kadee O'Day - to approve the applicants was brought into question by council member Bonnie Cumberland after Cumberland noted she'd received a number of questions about the appointments from Brainerd residents.

"I would say what we need to do is postpone these appointments," Cumberland said without giving details on the concerns she's heard from residents.

Council member Kevin Goedker, who is Sherri Goedker's sister-in-law, agreed with Cumberland's concerns. He said that according to the city charter, appointees need to live in the city of Brainerd. While his sister-in-law is a Brainerd resident, Goedker said she does not live within city limits.

O'Day withdrew his motion to appoint Kadee O'Day and Sherri Goedker and Cumberland made a second motion directing City Attorney Tom Fitzpatrick to come back to the city council with a recommendation on who can be appointed to city commissions, committees and boards.

The council approved Cumberland's motion unanimously.

In other action, the council:

Set the Board of Equalization hearing at 10 a.m. on May 13 at Brainerd City Hall.

Heard a brief presentation from Mark Bublitz, Brainerd's representative on Baxter's Community Behavioral Health Hospital Advisory Council.

Were informed that a group of bondholders is threatening to sue the city of Brainerd, the Brainerd Housing and Redevelopment Authority, its board and executive director and the estate of the late James H. Bedard, a Brainerd appraiser, seeking the return of $3.3 million for the Brainerd Oaks Development. The issue has been turned over to the city's insurance carrier for representation. Council member Bob Olson said there is a state statute that would cover the city as far as any liability to the claims and that the city doesn't have too much to worry about. Olson also said the city would probably see another $2 million lawsuit in regard to Brainerd Oaks.

Set the date for City Administrator Dan Vogt's annual performance evaluation at 5:30 p.m. on March 10 at city hall. Vogt has requested the evaluation be closed to the public, as is allowed by state statute.

Approved seeking requests for proposals for an appraisal of city owned property in the East Brainerd Mall parking lot. The city owns about a third of the eastern portion of the parking lot. The mall is seeking to purchase the property.

Approved a conditional use permit application from Alan and Joelle Schmidt of Paradigm Performance to build a performance car part sales/race car repair and fabrication/race car restoration business at 310 Laurel Street, which is the site of a former city garage.

Approved a conditional use permit application from Craig Williams to build an apartment building on Northwest Fourth Street, south of the Brainerd Area Civic Center.

Was informed by City Planner Mark Ostgarden that the Brainerd zoning ordinance draft is available for review at the Brainerd Public Library, Brainerd City Hall and at the city's Web site, www.ci.brainerd.mn.us. Ostgarden said the Planning Commission is in the process of taking public comment and a public open house on the draft ordinance will be March 19.

Approved the 2009 fire contract formula. Total assessments to fire service districts, which include Brainerd, Baxter, East Gull Lake and nine surrounding townships, will increase by $66,000, from $1,332,076 in 2008 to $1,398,076 in 2009.

Set a Personnel and Finance Committee meeting with Brainerd Amateur Hockey Association at 4:30 p.m. on March 4 at Brainerd City Hall.

MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.