Camp Ripley expects busy summer

BAXTER - Camp Ripley is gearing up for summer training and on Tuesday representatives from the camp updated the Baxter City Council on what will be taking place.

Lt. Col. Todd Kubista, Camp Ripley deputy commander, said it will be one of the busiest, if not the busiest, summer the camp has ever had. However, he said it will be one of the more quiet summers, too, in terms of weapons being used. Combined arms battalions, combat teams, Marines, aviation squads and infantry are a few of the groups scheduled for training this year. In 2009, Camp Ripley had more than a $225million economic impact on the area.

Kubista said there was a rumor spreading that Camp Ripley was going to become a mobilization center, but that information was not true.

"There won't be 500,000 troops coming through Camp Ripley in the next couple of years," Kubista said.

Also, from 4-6 p.m. on May 20 at the Camp Ripley Town Hall there will be a ceremony for retiring post commander Col. Richard Weaver and a welcome for new post commander Lt. Col. Scott St. Stauver.

Council member Jim Klein also asked if any more controlled burns were expected this year. Maj. Keith Ferdon said no more major burns were anticipated. He said the camp burns about 15,000 acres a year for hazard reduction, and the one fire that sent smoke into the air over Brainerd and Baxter was a mistake.

"We'll take the hit on that one," Ferdon said. "That was poor planning on our part."

In other action, the council:

Adjourned to its annual town meeting at 9 a.m. on May 1 at Heritage Assembly of God Youth Center.

Was informed by City Administrator Gordon Heitke that staff was working on recommendations for the leaf disposal site and whether it should be transformed into a compost site, which would cost the city money in staff time and possibly equipment purchases. Heitke also said staff was working on an ordinance pertaining to leaf burning in the city.

Adopted a policy for a fundraising process for universal playground equipment at Whipple Beach Park. The city will ask a nonprofit to handle all funds to cover the costs, then donate the equipment back to the city.

Directed staff to look at an ordinance change allowing temporary signs in all zones of the city as long as the signs meet minimal requirements. The issue was brought to the council by Planning and Zoning member Bob Ryan, who said in tough economic times the city could help businesses by changing its ordinance concerning temporary signs.

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