Photo by Charlene Corson Selbee
Brownsville, Minn., Mayor Jean Meyer opened the public hearing at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, November 6 prior to the regular meeting of the city council. The purpose of the public hearing was to hear comments from the public regarding subdividing parcel R20.0112.000 into two separate nonconforming lots.
Meyer emphasized that the resolution was passed at the October council meeting. The property is jointly owned by Gerald Walhovd and Susan Reihl. Hearing no comments from the public, the hearing was closed at 7:02 p.m., and the council went into regular session at 7:03 p.m.
The entire council was in attendance at the hearing and meeting: Barb Hurley, Pam Walhovd, Mayor Jean Meyer, Bill Fitzpatrick and Tim Klug.
The council unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included the meeting agenda, minutes from the October 2 city council meeting, and claims totaling $56,185.09. The consent agenda also included the certification of unpaid sewer bills and the renewal of Saxon Hall’s 2025 2.0 liquor license.
There was no floor correspondence or presentations.
The mayor reminded the council that Bollig Engineering had provided a detailed presentation at last month’s meeting, highlighting the importance of writing both a preliminary engineering report and an environmental report-key requirements for most grant applications. The cost for completing these reports is $45,000, which Bollig Engineering agreed to defer until a grant is secured. It was confirmed that the city did not include this $45,000 in next year’s budget. The mayor also reminded the council that the sewer plant is the city’s top priority, and that Bollig Engineer will assist in identifying potential grants for the project. Following the discussion, the council unanimously approved Task Order Number Two, authorizing Bollig Engineering to prepare the two reports.
Mayor Meyer and Fire/Rescue Department Training Officer Brandon Frank attended the Houston County Emergency Management team meeting on October 23. The county is required to have a Hazard Mitigation Plan. Meyer explained that she and Frank identified possible mitigations for Brownsville earlier this year, which were incorporated into the Houston County Hazard Mitigation Plan along with hazard mitigation charts from other Houston County cities.
Mayor Meyer said, “If we had another mud slide or a natural disaster, we would not be able to receive FEMA funds at all if we did not have this plan.”
Maintenance Supervisor Dean Twite announced that the new renters are in apartment nine, the truck is ready for winter, Gary’s Pump and Well plans on having the pump installed this year but is just waiting on the pump head to arrive. The ballpark is shut down and winterized, and the city plans on opening the ice skating rink for the winter, if there are not any objections from the council.
Brandon Frank also updated the board on the fire district meeting. The council approved a letter to be written by staff and sent to the two townships.
City Clerk Steve Schuldt included the 2025 budget in the council’s meeting packet for review.
Mayor Meyer mentioned that the city should be looking at a potential cannabis ordinance and VRBO ordinance, both which will require a public hearing. She would like to do them at the same time in order to save people time.
In other business, the council:
- Unanimously approved the purchase of a 1/8-page full-colored ad in the 2025 Visit Bluff Country magazine at the early bird rate of $230.
- Approved the quote from Pete’s Electric to replace the ceiling fans in the community center gymnasium with four industrial fans and controls. Twite noted that half the time the current fans do not work, and he believes they are the original fans. The total cost is $1,801.12.
- Confirmed that the Truth and Taxation meeting is scheduled for December 4.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:58 p.m. The council noted that this was a record for the shortest meeting.
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