Photo by Kaitlin Longhauser
A number of concerned Brownsville residents attended the May 3 Brownsville City Council meeting in response to a motion to explore the idea of selling Bluffview Manor due to costs of property maintenance, passed at the regular April council meeting.
One Bluffview Manor resident stated, “We’re very concerned about the thought of even selling it.” (“It’ being Bluffview Manor.) Another Brownsville resident spoke out on behalf of her father who is a current resident of Bluffview Manor, stating she guarantees her father will leave the Manor if the establishment sells, especially if children move onto the premises. Current tenants expressed concern over who would move to vacant Manor units if sold to another party. As of now, the Manor’s residents enjoy the quiet low key environment Bluffview Manor offers.
Council member Klug met with Realtor Kelly Meyer Thursday, April 27 at Bluffview Manor for a walk-through. Realtor Meyer estimated the Manor’s value to be $500,000-$700,000. However, Meyer also included that the Manor’s value and marketability is difficult to judge. Klug moved, second by Walhovd for no action to be taken at this time.
Brownsville’s City Council met May 3 at Brownsville Community Center from 7-9:02 p.m. Council members present included mayor Jean Meyer, Tim Klug, Barb Hurley, Jacob Danielson, and Pam Walhovd. Also in attendance were City Clerk Steve Schuldt, Treasurer Jenna Knight, and from City Maintenance, Dean Twite.
The council approved the minutes from Wednesday, April 5 regular monthly council meeting and approved the agenda.
Judy Mecejik presented the idea of a community cleanup event to the council. She proposed for the city to work with Richard’s Sanitation in bringing over dumpsters where Brownsville residents can dispose of items at a small cost. There will be a fee for the dumpsters to be removed, in addition a dumpster weight fee will be in place. Mecejik stated the city would need to decide on the number of dumpsters to be needed and where the dumpsters would be placed. She pointed out that many people do not have the means to dispose of larger items, this is where the nearby dumpsters would come in handy. If approved, Mecejik would be more than happy to volunteer to assist in a community cleanup.
Council members briefly addressed the order of agenda. Hurley recommended certain maintenance be moved specifically to Maintenance reports. Treasurer Knight advised presentations be moved before Old Business so residents do not need to wait the duration of the council meeting.
Old Business
Twite, City Maintenance, shared updates in regards to Bluffview Manor. Unit #5 has not undergone any changes at this point. Unit #9, on the other hand, took priority as the unit needs to be updated first in order to be rented out. Unit #9 is now painted with its cabinets and door sanded. Twite hopes Unit #9 will be up and running by mid May but realistically the unit likely will not be ready to rent out until June.
The council discussed and listened to Brownsville residents’ statements in regards to lack of street lighting on Brook St. Council member Hurley shared concern over lack of lighting being a safety hazard. She stated appropriate lighting would indicate oncoming drivers approaching Brownsville that a city is present in turn oncoming drivers would know to further decrease speed. Two Brownsville residents who reside on Brook St. attended the council meeting, one of which shared six current Brook St. residents do not want street lighting implemented while three additional Brook St. residents were presumed to lean against the implementation of street lighting. The council decided to take no action.
New Business
Klug moved, seconded by Hurley with motion passed to accept a Joyce Mullen/Jake Schaffer building permit.
Department reports
Treasurer Knight shared Debore Pest Control treated Bluffview Manor for presumably mites (Debore was unable to identify the exact type of bug). Debore treated for mites by placing sticky pads alongside windows in order to catch the mites. The treatment is free due to the city’s current contract with Debore.
A rodent issue has given rise to the city of Brownsville. The rodent increase is believed to be the result of current high waters. Councilors debated various ways to target the rodent issue. Walhovd recommended to limit feeding birds for a couple of months as a possible means to deter current rodents. Knight stated Brownsville’s animal control officer Amanda Myhre offered to release trapped/neutered cats to catch the rodents, in turn the cats would keep the rodent population in check.
Knight shared Brownsville’s Summer Recreation Program-Summer Recreation Lead (an adult 18+) and assistant positions for the program have been filled. A meeting will take place Thursday, May 18 to get program up and running.
The next regular Brownsville City Council meeting will take place at Brownsville Community Center on Wednesday, June 7 at 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
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