The Brownsville City Council voted to allocate $24,000 in 2023 Minnesota public safety aid funds to the town’s volunteer fire department at the March 6 city council meeting.
Before volunteers from the town’s volunteer fire department spoke regarding the 2023 Public Safety Aid funds received by the city from the state in December, Councilmember Barb Hurley asked to speak first. “I appreciate all of you [fire department volunteers] sending us the letter and letting us know your feelings. But I want to reiterate too, that never on this council have any of us ever said that we were not concerned about your safety or your health. So, I want to make sure that is expressed. We do have that concern. But along with the fire department we also have to consider the rest of the residents of the city of Brownsville. The fire department is a very important part of the city and we do recognize that.”
The topic regarding the Public Safety Aid funds was pulled from the council’s agenda in January and February by Councilwoman Pam Walhovd so other groups had time to present their funding requests to the council.
Brownsville Fire Department representative, Brandon Frank, explained that when the law was written the Legislature expected that most of these one-time funds would be used on fire and police expenses which is why the department did not budget $24,000 for SCBA cylinders of which are critically needed by the department.
The vote was three to two with Councilmembers Hurley and Walhovd opposed to allocating $24,000 to the fire department.
Mayor Jean Meyer called the council meeting to order at 7 p.m.
All councilmembers were present: Barb Hurley, Pam Walhovd, Mayor Jean Meyer, Bill Fitzpatrick and Tim Klug. City Clerk Steve Schuldt confirmed that there was a quorum.
Hurley motioned to approve the consent agenda which included the meeting agenda, the minutes from the February 7 council meeting and disbursements. Seconded by Klug, themotion carried.
Angela Bissen introduced herself as an 18-year resident of Brownsville, stressing that she has lived at 705 Adams Street all those years. She appeared before the council to express her frustration regarding LED lighting, “I have tried in the last year and a half to settle it amicably. Not working!” She wondered if it was addressed in the city’s ordinances and if not, would the city consider adding it to an ordinance as far as a light that impedes the safety and privacy of another resident. Bissen mentioned that parking was a little bit better but on Friday night from 5-9 p.m. and Saturday night from 5-9 p.m., Bissen guarantees that no ambulance or fire truck would ever get through that alley.
The council revisited pickleball to see how it was going. Schuldt said that it has been popular. Mayor Meyer asked how the freewill donations were going, with Knight noting that the donations are dwindling with the nice weather and have gone from an average of $100 a week to approximately $50 to $75 a week. The council wondered whether the tape marking the courts would be removed when the community center was rented for an event and restriped after the event due, to the cost. Hurley felt that the council should address it at a future date and decide at that time.
Councilmember Walhovd asked that the minutes reflect her opposition to the resolution that was unanimously passed in January regarding the Minnesota State Flag, after further research.
In other business the council:
• Approved a building permit for Ana Poeschel, as well as one for Mike Moriarty.
• Tabled the discussion on the road in front of Drahos’ residence to give the city time to further investigate the situation and did not take any action on the “unsightly” fence on the property next to Gantenbein.
• Approved the 2024 pest-control contract from DeBoer.
• Tabled approving the part-time maintenance position job description until the April meeting.
• Approved re-advertising for the summer recreation supervisor position since the town did not receive any applications for the position.
• Approve the League of Minnesota Cities torte wavier.
• Adjourned the meeting at 8:53 p.m.
The next regularly scheduled Brownsville City Council meeting will take place at city hall, 104 6th St., Brownsville on Wednesday, April 3, at 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
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