Brownsville Council Reviews MnDOT Intersection Project Updates

Mayor Jean Meyer gave the latest updates to the Brownsville City Council at their July 1 on the proposed Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) project at the intersection of County Road 3 (CSAH 3) and State Highway 26. This is the entry point to Brownsville.

Meyer said that she and Councilor Barb Hurley attended the June 29 meeting with MnDOT and other decisionmakers to hear the preliminary designs from Stonebrooke Engineering, the consultants hired by MnDOT, about the intersection by The River Station.

Meyer added that she and Hurley were able to “make recommendations” but the final decision is up to MnDOT. Hurley did not attend the July 1 city council meeting, but all other council members were present.

Stonebrooke’s current design shows “Adams and Second Street will become side streets with an access road into 26,” continued Meyer. She said there will be no changes impacting The Copper Penny. Tests were conducted with a pickup truck pulling a boat, but Meyer requested that the engineers also test a semi-truck pulling in and out of The River Station.

Other design considerations that are being discussed include an acceleration lane heading south to the sand pit and moving the stairs by the Lawrence Lake Marina closer to The River Station. However, there will not be an overhead pedestrian bridge like La Crescent has and MnDOT will not reduce speeds in the Brownsville project intersection area.

Meyer said, “The project will cost the city nothing and that Stonebrooke must come up with a plan by the end of this year. So, they will come back and discuss the final plan, then MnDOT decides which year to complete the project. They’re estimating 2028 or 2029.”

Councilor Pam Walhovd said, “It’s better than a roundabout.”

Other Council Business

The consent agenda was approved with several additions to the agenda and a request by Walhovd to correct the previous month’s minutes regarding her comment about a sign ordinance. City Clerk Steve Schuldt said he would review the recording and add more details.

There were no Floor Correspondence, Presentations or Appointments.

Under Old Business as a follow up to last month’s discussion, Meyer informed the council that the city attorney said, “There is no language that restricts the use of the sign.” Hence, Meyer said it can be on the same pole, and it is necessary for public welfare.

Meyer moved on to the fuel surcharges from Richards Sanitation. She explained there is a 3% annual increase and a possible small surcharge decrease set for August.

Dean Twite, Maintenance, presented two sealcoat quotes. Scott’s Sealcoating would do eight streets budgeted of 13 streets with hot asphalt for a bid of $74, 355. Pearson Brothers could do all 13 streets with liquid asphalt for a bid of $42,704.25.

After showing plastic cups filled with different asphalt and saying the city would not have to crack fill with the higher bid, Pearson Brothers was approved. The council said they can try it and change it down the road if there are issues. Twite said Pearson Brothers are available to do the work the week of July 13.

The first New Business item was a discussion about public access safety cabinets. Meyer said the county is applying for a grant to provide automated external defibrillator (AED) devices and other lifesaving equipment in kiosks. Meyer said it could be at the gazebo or city park and would be in a temperature-controlled area.

Councilor Bill Fitzpatrick said, “If there’s zero cost, I’d say go ahead and do it. It’s a good idea.” City Treasurer Jenna Knight said she had emailed to see if there were any costs to the city but hadn’t heard back. The council approved a contingency vote that if the cost exceeds $200 annually to maintain, they would not be interested.

The council also approved a building permit and voted against paying $325 annually to join the Minnesota Transportation Alliance, which lobbies to get state funding for local street and transportation projects. The council said it would revisit it when there was a project that might utilize the service.

Of note during Department Reports, the Fire & Rescue Department said a local group was approved for charitable gambling with proceeds to be used for training, and a grant had been submitted for equipment.

The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.