Be it resolved ... oh, nevermind

The Brainerd City Council on Monday had plenty of discussion on a proposed resolution that urged the Legislature to reject Gov. Tim Pawlenty's cuts to local government aid.

The end result, however, was that no resolution was passed.

The suggested resolution, presented to Minnesota cities by the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, noted Brainerd's local government aid unallotment as part of Pawlenty's budget plan in an effort to reduce the state deficit would be $683,057 in 2010-2011.

Council member Mary Koep offered a substitute to the resolution that would eliminate the paragraph urging the Legislature to reject Pawlenty's budget cuts for 2010.

Instead, Koep offered an amendment that Brainerd would urge Pawlenty, the Legislature, the city and groups that lobby on behalf of the city to work together for new ideas to meet the state's budget crisis.

"It seems to me a much more positive approach than being so negative and gimme, gimme, gimme," Koep said.

Council member Bonnie Cumberland wondered if the two could be blended together to include both Koep's and the original resolution's messages.

The council unanimously approved Koep's substitution to the resolution, then declined to second her motion to pass the resolution.

A motion to then include both Koep's addition and the original wording of the resolution failed by a 4-2 vote, with council member Bob Olson absent.

Council member Kelly Bevans said he would vote against to see how Mayor James Wallin, the tie-breaking vote if needed in Olson's absence Monday, would vote.

However, council member Lucy Nesheim, who earlier said it wasn't fair that Pawlenty proposed cutting the city's local government aid, also voted against the resolution.

In other action, the council:

Heard a presentation from Lisa Paxton, chief executive officer of the Brainerd Lakes Chamber, on priorities of government approach to budgeting. Paxton said the chamber would work with the council on efficiencies, developing values, vision and aligning resources.

"It's a long-term initiative," Paxton said.

Adopted an ordinance requiring background checks for new employees and committee or commission or board applicants for the city.

Adopted an ordinance amendment regarding taxi cabs, to state that if an applicant for a taxicab license from the city is willing and able the council cannot deny a license for other reasons, including the state of the market for taxi services and other provider or providers.

Adjourned to a College Drive meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Brainerd City Hall.

Was reminded by City Administrator Dan Vogt that the council will have a budget meeting at 6 p.m. on March 16 at Brainerd City Hall.

Approved the 2010 contract with Brainerd Lakes Area Development Corp. of $71,250, with a clause the contract can be modified, amended or terminated by either party with a 30-day notice.

Accepted applications from Jan Geiger of the Planning Department and Mark Olson of the Street and Sewer Department for the Early Retirement Incentive Program. The council didn't include a request from Mark Olson that increases or other incentives added to the program within the next two years be added to his package.

Approved a $10,300 lease agreement with BNSF Railway for the use of the railroad's downtown parking lot. Council member Anne Nelson Fisher voted against.

Approved hiring Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. at a cost of $177,800 for engineering services for north Brainerd street improvements. City Engineer Jeff Hulsether said the city had estimated engineering costs to be about $209,000.

Approved 4-2 hiring Northwoods Landscaping at $9,584 for the season and Waste Partners at $152.10 per month for downtown maintenance. Koep and Bevans voted against, with Koep saying a public hearing should be held before bids were accepted because the costs will be assessed back to downtown property owners. Hulsether said a public hearing would be held once an ordinance is in place regarding the downtown maintenance items.

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