Council applauds Baxter police work

BAXTER -- The Baxter City Council and Mayor Gary Muehlhausen Tuesday congratulated the Baxter police officers who were on duty and responded to a chase and standoff with a Edina man wanted for questioning in the murder of his mother.

"I've had a lot of compliments on how they handled the situation," said Muehlhausen.

Anthony Szutz, since charged with second-degree intentional murder for the death of his mother, Barbara J. Szutz, 52, in Edina Nov. 26, surrendered to officers without incident after a three-hour standoff on Clearwater Road in Baxter.

In other action, the council:

Changed the first city council meeting in January from Jan. 1 to Jan. 7.

Approved partial payment of $207,406 to Tom's Backhoe for the Forest/Fox project.

Approved payment of $450,107 to Randy Kramer Excavating for the 371 North Frontage Road Phase I project.

Authorized Muehlhausen and City Administrator Larry Kruse to enter into a tax-increment financing developer's agreement with Clearwater Estates. Clearwater Estates, to be located on Clearwater Road, is a 116-unit apartment project. The developers, a limited liability partnership with eight owners, has requested a 15-year, pay-as-you-go TIF at 8 percent. The Clearwater Apartments would be a $7 million project.