A thank-you note to the city

BAXTER - Baxter Mayor Darrel Olson felt a donation to the city was particularly noteworthy and made mention of it at Tuesday's regular council meeting.

Denise Kaiser of Pine River recently sent the Baxter Parks and Recreation Department a check for $50.

In her note, Kaiser said she made "extensive use of your beautiful Whipple Beach this summer - and since I don't pay taxes in Baxter, I'd like to make a small donation."

Kaiser also thanked the city for hosting the Lakes County Triathlon.

"This happens never," said Olson.

Council member Jim Klein suggested city staff send Kaiser a letter of appreciation.

In other donations, the city received $500 from the Brainerd Jaycees toward the purchase of a K9 vest for Gator, the Baxter Police Department's K9 dog. The total cost of the vest will be about $2,200. The remaining balance for the vest will be used from a local "Vest Our Dogs" fund paid for by donations. There will be no cost to the city for the vest.

The council authorized reimbursing SEH, an engineering firm, $54,900 for amended project costs for work already completed for the Cypress Drive/Excelsior Road project but sent the payment request of $100,200 to complete the final road design for the project to a future budget planning meeting for consideration.

The council adjourned to a budget workshop scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday.

JODIE TWEED may be reached at jodie.tweed@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5858.