Brownsville City Council members met Wednesday, May 6 at the town’s community center. Mayor Jean Meyer called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. She led with the Pledge of Allegiance. City Clerk Steve Schuldt conducted role call. Council members present included Meyer, David Prestby, Bill Fitzpatrick, Pam Walhovd, and Barb Hurley. City employees present included Schuldt, City Treasurer Jenna Knight, and Dean Twite, Maintenance.
The Consent Agenda received unanimous approval.
No participants spoke during Floor Correspondence or Appointments.
Old Business
There was brief discussion on how many assistants to hire for the Summer Recreation program. Meyer and Hurley conducted interviews for the available positions. Meyer stated the coordinator recommended a fourth assistant, she added that if a fourth needed to be hired the budget could handle it. Fitzpatrick moved, seconded by Hurley, to hire three assistants and one coordinator just like the previous year; a fourth assistant will be hired if warranted. Motion carried.
Twite informed the council that the community center’s gymnasium stage is currently 12 by 32 feet, where the stage could be reduced to 8 by 16 feet. If not reduced, the stage could be removed instead. Twite noted the stage at its current size is large and difficult to clean around. In a 4-1 vote, the council approved for Twite to reduce the stage’s size. Twite added the reduction may not happen immediately due to upcoming events.
Fitzpatrick moved, seconded by Hurley, to approve the on-sale liquor license application for Lawrence Lake Marina. Motion carried. The Marina already has an off-sale license.
New Business
Shelly Dixon of Discover Brownsville addressed the council about funding for signage/posters for an upcoming run/walk. The cost is $25 per person where each participant receives a t-shirt. She added that last time signage was $100, this time signage costs would be $100-$200. The council approved for $150 to come out of the Brownsville Green account, with an additional $50 to come out of another account.
Hurley moved, seconded by Walhovd, for Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center Mobile Crisis Response to come at a date of their choosing to use Brownsville Community Center at no cost for their presentation. Advertisement will be Hiawatha Valley’s responsibility. Motion carried.
The council approved for a $33 salute advertisement for EMS and police week to be run in the Caledonia Argus.
The deadline for the 250 USA anniversary celebration advertisement for the Fillmore County Journal is May 29. Mayor Meyer said a 4.8 by 4.2 advertisement would run for the June 8 and June 29 editions. The council decided to go with the triple for $155 which would consist of the Lions Club, Brownsville Discover, and City of Brownsville logo.
Twite presented his department report. He informed there are two different blacktoppers he reached out to for seal coating quotes. Wednesday, May 13, the County Highway Department will hold a meeting about the Highway 18 project. The meeting serves to share information, no decisions will be made. The department would like one representative to attend. Meyer recommended Twite should go.
Meyer shared the fire department received two new members last month, with there now being 18 members total. The fire department thanked the community for supporting their fundraiser with a special shout out to the River Station, Chris Bray, and Lindsey Rohrer.
City Treasurer Knight stated Richard’s Sanitation’s surcharge will stay the same as last month. The city was awarded a $75,000 grant to replace the doors and windows at Bluffview Manor.
The council meeting adjourned at 8:11 p.m.
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