Chamber Blog

At the Brainerd City Council meeting last night, they heard a presentation from Brainerd Lakes Chamber CEO, Lisa Paxton about the budgeting priorities of government. Lisa shared highlights from the recent Chamber survey about the economy. The Brainerd-Baxter Business Council has offered to give assistance to the City in future budgeting discussions by sharing their experiences with budget cuts. What is the City's shared vision and what is the road map for getting there? An example of the managing for results process was distributed which highlighted measurable results.

The Council approved forgiving $100,000 of the Wausau Paper revolving loan after some discussion and hearing from two Brainerd citizens. No significant change in the environmental effects of the paper plant are foreseen with the expansion in production.

Whether or not to raise City fees for building, fire, and planning permits was an issue of much discussion last night. Several Councilors mentioned they received phone calls voicing concern over the fee increase and the Council did not approve raising fees for permits.

The Council approved paying the lease and continuing to use the BNSF parking lot north of Front Street in Downtown for the next year.

The Personnel & Finance Committee began a discussion of the City's business subsidy policy, but took no action on it. Sheila Haverkamp, BLADC, assisted with this discussion and will continue to do so as needed in the future.

As always, the Brainerd Dispatch has great coverage of the meeting.

Emily Northey, Chamber Main Street Coordinator, enorthey@explorebrainerdlakes.com

Labels: 2010 budget, BLADC, Brainerd City Council, Government, Survey, Wasau

I had the pleasure of being in the audience at last night’s Brainerd City Council meeting.
The City Council reduced its preliminary levy by $150,000 after a handful of previous motions failed to pass. They also passed their 2010 budget. Tom Phelps of Brainerd Public Utilities presented plans for their 2010 operating and capital budget. The City Council approved it.

The College Drive project will be postponed until the next construction season.
T&B Pawn requested a variance in the number of parking stalls required to be provided for their future location on Washington Street; the City Council approved the request.

The Safety and Public Works Committee met earlier. They heard a proposal to make the City better prepared to apply for shovel-ready project grant applications; the new task force will meet next Tuesday to review potential projects.

Emily Northey, Chamber Main Street Coordinator, enorthey@explorebrainerdlakes.com.

Labels: 2010 budget, Brainerd City Council, College Drive, Government, Shovel-Ready

Ruth Ann Hanson attended the Pequot Lakes City Council meeting on Dec 1, 2009. The following items were discussed.

Budget/Levy Hearing At 6:30 the City Council held the Budget/Levy Presentation. When the first budget was drafted it was at 1,587,200 which was a 7.13% increase. The council asked that the budget be reduced further and the second draft came in at 1,527,690 a 3.5% increase for the 2009 budget. The council once again asked that the budget be dropped some more and the final budget presented December 1 at the Council meeting was $1,446.000, a -1.9% decrease from the 2009 budget. The proposed expenditures for 2010 are the same as 2009 expenditures.

Presentation from Birchdale Fire and Security for Recording System Joe Gibbons reported on the cost and set up it would take for the Pequot Lakes City Council meetings to be aired on public television. The approximate quote he gave for the installation and equipment would be around $6000. Council Member Ryan moved to accept offer from Birchdale and move forward with a plan to broadcast all public meetings. Council Member Nagel seconded the motion. Council Member Sjoblad was concerned about the quality of the sound. Council Member Malecha stated with the present economy she was not comfortable with spending the money on this particular item. Mayor Adams also stated with all the cuts they have made to the budget to bring it down she also was not comfortable pursuing that expense at this time. Council Member Malecha questioned if the system could be used in other areas of the building if needed. She also questioned if Council Member Ryan’s bid could actually be considered as a second bid. Council Member Ryan requested that the alternate bid he provided be considered as a second bid. Council Member Ryan stated this would come out of 2009 budget, would not affect the 2010 budget and the dollars are there with the Media Grant from Charter which was $4,052.28 and the remainder could come out of the Council Contingency fund. Motion failed 3-2. Roll call vote: Council Members Ryan and Nagel voting aye. Mayor Adams and Council Members Sjoblad and Malecha voting nay. The outcome of this vote eliminates the opprotunity of the Pequot Lakes public meetings being aired at this time.
Moved to close clerk’s office on Christmas Eve Day and that any employee working on that day shall be required to use a vacation, comp time, or a personal day.

Ruth Ann Hanson, Area Director
rahanson@explorebrainerdlakes.com

Labels: 2010 budget, Pequot Lakes, public broadcast