City to partner in bid for $300,000 in federal funds for transportation plan

Brainerd will be a partner in an effort to obtain federal dollars for a regional transportation plan.

The Brainerd City Council on Monday unanimously passed a resolution of support for a Crow Wing County request for $300,000 in federal funds for the plan, which would require a local match of $75,000.

Council member Lucy Nesheim said what percentage of the local match the city would pay would be determined at a later date.

In other action, the council:

Approved, by a 6-1 vote, a work order for $43,691 to construct outlet control structures for storm water ponds on the Wright Street project. Hulsether noted that in the original designs the city's engineering firm, SEH, tried to save money by creating storm water ponds that allowed water infiltration through the sides of the pond. However, there was no infiltration and the ponds flooded into nearby Little Buffalo Creek. Voting against the motion was Olson, who said though the work should be done it shouldn't be paid for by the city because the initial plan was SEH's recommendation. He said SEH should pick up half the costs.

Was given a presentation from Assistant City Engineer Jesse Freihammer on the city's MS4 storm water management permit. No one spoke during a public hearing following Freihammer's presentation.

Approved hiring Wolverton and Associates to establish a fair market value on land owned by the city in the east third of the East Brainerd Mall parking lot. Development company Oppidan, which owns the mall, is interested in buying the land and agreed to pay half the $800 cost to determine its market value.

Adjourned to a closed session at 5:30 p.m. on Monday for City Administrator Dan Vogt's annual performance evaluation.

Was reminded by City Planner Mark Ostgarden that the city's draft zoning ordinance is available for review at city hall or at the city's Web site, www.ci.brainerd.mn.us, and that a public open house on the draft ordinance is March 19.

Approved having an Oxtrot statue placed in the city's parking lot on Laurel Street between South Sixth and South Seventh streets at no cost to the city.

Accepted an offer from Minnesota Public Facilities Authority for a $1,965,098 loan for the design of the city's wastewater treatment facility expansion project. Vogt said it was planned that Baxter would pay a third of the costs for the loan after a financial agreement is worked out between the two cities.

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