Brownsville Mayor Jean Meyer called the regular meeting of the Brownsville City Council to order at 7 p.m. She led her colleagues and the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Councilors present included Barb Hurley, Pam Walhovd, Bill Fitzpatrick and David Prestby.
City staff in attendance were, from City Maintenance – Dean Twite, City Clerk Steve Schuldt, and City Treasurer Jenna Knight.
The unanimously approved consent agenda included the meeting agenda, minutes from the October 1 city council meeting, and the list of bills to pay.
Under old business, there was supposed to be a discussion regarding Ordinance 71.01 Junked or Abandoned Motor Vehicles, but Mayor Meyer explained, “We’re just looking at properties.” Meyer expects that next month they will present something, and the board can decide what they want to do. She noted that there is a lot of information in the ordinance that the city is not following, so there should be lots to talk about next month.
Under new business, the board unanimously approved the resolution certifying the unpaid utility bills which will be assessed.
A renewal of the liquor license for Saxon Hall 2 LLC was passed unanimously.
The council discussed two possible grants that the city should consider applying for. The Rural Capacity grant is administered by CEDA and funded by a special appropriation from the State of Minnesota. The program provides technical assistance for economic development initiatives. She explained that it does not require a financial match. A motion to approve city staff working on the grant was unanimously approved.
The second grant is the Minnesota Department of Commerce’s Solar on Public Buildings program. The city will applying for the grant, which according to Meyer provides funds for applicants to install solar energy systems up to 40 kilowatts on publicly owned and operated buildings.
Dean Twite announced that the skating rink is ready to go. All that is needed is cold weather.
The guardrails on 2nd Street are being replaced as time allows and “look awesome,” according to Councilor Fitzpatrick. He added that they should have been removed a long time ago. Twite also thanked the Brownsville Lions Club for its cash donation to help cover the cost of the winter banners, which are now up. The banners cost approximately $2,000.
The fire department’s three newest members are currently undergoing medical training; upon completion, the entire fire department will have medical licenses. It was also announced that a fourth individual joined the fire department on Monday.
Twite responded to the mayor’s question regarding the car damage at the post office, noting that they are currently getting quotes for the repairs. It was confirmed that the driver did have insurance.
Treasurer Knight reported that the city accepted a quote from Decorah Glass to replace the glass in the door at the post office at a cost of $600. She updated the council on the Bluffview Manor Apartment and said that the polling place access grant has been submitted. The front doors were roughly $8,000, and the openers on the back rooms were approximately $4,000.
City Clerk Schuldt presented his quarterly report and announced that the city’s checking account at Merchant Bank matches the city’s books, as does the investment fund. He reminded the council that this was not an audit.
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