Olson seeks explanation for comment

At Monday's Brainerd City Council meeting, council member Bob Olson sought an explanation to a comment from Council President Kelly Bevans at the Dec. 3 council meeting that Olson felt was meant to blemish his reputation.

At the Dec. 3 meeting, during discussion on a proposed tax increment finance request from Taco John's, Bevans said he had received calls from Brained residents concerned about a council member profiting from tax increment financing.

Olson, who was not present at the Dec. 3 meeting, is selling a parcel of property to the Taco John's developers. Olson has said that he would abstain from voting on all items dealing with the Taco John's tax increment financing request.

At Monday's meeting, Olson quoted Bevans' statement from the Dec. 3 meeting, in which Bevans said the city would be "watching that little monkey very carefully to make sure no Potato Oles hit the floor."

Olson questioned what Bevans was referring to and said the accusation, if not challenged, could blemish the reputations of himself, Taco John's and the council members who approved the tax increment financing. Taco John's request was approved unanimously.

"I'm going to ask Mr. Bevans to identify who the little monkey is we'll be watching very closely," Olson said. "... I think we have a right to know who that little monkey is."

Olson also said Bevans has failed to pay several thousand dollars in property taxes and has not repaid a loan from the city. During the public forum section of Monday's meeting, a Brainerd resident, Jan Burton, also noted Bevans' lack of payment on his property taxes and said the council president should resign.

Council member Kevin Goedker said he, too, wanted an explanation of Bevans' comments. Council member Bonnie Cumberland apologized for not saying something Dec. 3. She said council members need to be careful in what they say while conducting their business.

Bevans, who stared straight ahead while Olson spoke, didn't offer an explanation for his Dec. 3 comment.

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