Crow Wing gun permits drop to $10

Crow Wing County revised the fee for gun permits to $10.

The change came in response to the district court decision stating the state's conceal-and-carry law was unconstitutional. The sheriff retains the authority to issue permits to people seeking to carry, hold or possess a pistol for the cities of Brainerd, Baxter, Nisswa, Pequot Lakes, Breezy Point, Emily, Crosslake, Crosby and Deerwood.

The new fee replaces the former $100 fee. Commissioner Gary Walters voted against the action, saying the $10 fee did not cover the costs for administration and background checks. Crow Wing County Sheriff Eric Klang said he expects the state to revert back to the previous policy.

In other action, the Crow Wing County Board:

Authorized the purchase of employee parking identification stickers from Action Graphics for 44 cents each to identify vehicles in the county's new parking lot off Front Street.

Heard no construction bids were received on the Brainerd sites for 16-bed facilities for adult psychological services that will be moved from the Brainerd Regional Human Services Center into the community. The state is looking at working with developers it has previous experience with. Commissioners expect to discuss the issue in more detail next month.

Denied a citizen petition for an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for the preliminary plat and zoning change for the 23-unit planned unit development called The Park at Clearwater Estates in Bay Lake Township.

Petitioners expressed concern over the potential for significant damage to the surrounding environment, including Clearwater Lake. Developers said they are moving existing cabins back from the lake and are not affecting wetlands. County Planner Bonnie Finnerty said there were valid concerns in the petition but argued they could be better addressed through the planning commission.

Approved removal of trees on Front Street in Brainerd as recommended by the buildings and grounds committee.

Noted they will meet for a PUD public hearing from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 27 in the Elks Building in Brainerd.

Met in two closed sessions, one to discuss pending litigation related to the relocation of Brainerd city attorney Tom Fitzpatrick's office from the Williams building on Laurel Street. The building was removed for the county's master building plan. The second closed session was for contract negotiation strategy.

RENEE RICHARDSON can be reached at renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5852.