On May 13, the Brownsville City Council reviewed architectural drawings for the community center remodel project. Matt Sauer of Custom Homes of Eitzen presented the material and labor estimates for the project. No action was taken, giving council members time to review the estimates before making a decision at next month’s meeting.
Council members Emily Burrichter, Doug Meyer, and Mitch Lange were present at the meeting, along with Mayor Jeff Adamson. Council member Mitch Luttchens was absent. Also in attendance was City Clerk Steve Schuldt
It was clear that all council members and Sauer were in agreement that the roof and concrete work are top priorities. Mayor Jeff Adamson added, “The old girl is due for maintenance.”
Councilor Emily Burrichter clarified that the current estimate does not include any interior repairs or updates. The total estimate for materials and labor is $192,000.
The city will look at the community center’s schedule to determine when the renovation can be scheduled.
Philanthropy Director Aaron Johnson with the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) attended the council meeting to share information about the resources SMIF offers communities in southern Minnesota, saying that “Our key interests include entrepreneurship, business loans, early childhood development, early childcare, and community vitality.” He announced that SMIF has created a new fund, Tim Penny for Small Towns, in recognition of all that Penny has done for southern Minnesota.
SMIF has invested over $170 million in the region since 1986. Johnson stressed that for every $1 donation from Houston County, $12 is invested back into Houston County communities through grants, loans, and programmings. There have been 11 loans to support entrepreneurs, 181 grants to support community projects, and $2.6 million invested by SMIF in Houston County.
Johnson highlighted three of many Houston County projects: the $6,000 grant to Blue Jays Daycare in Caledonia, a loan to Affogato Lane Coffee Company in La Crescent, and the Paint the Town Grant awarded to Spring Grove Public Schools. Noting that 1.1K children were supported through SMIF programs and 39 entrepreneurs were supported through SMIF programs.
The council unanimously approved the April 8 minutes and the April financial reports. Discussion on delinquent payments followed, with both the Mayor Adamson and Burrichter noting that it was not as bad as last month.
In unfinished business, the city is waiting for a response from the EPA regarding the citation. Mayor Adamson also reported that he has not spoken with the GSS, Inc. representative in over a week regarding the proposed telecommunications tower and emergency services. He did meet with City Attorney Mike Murphy to discuss the easements; otherwise, there has been no progress on the tower. The ribbon cutting for the Habitat for Humanity House has yet to be rescheduled.
Councilmember Meyer announced that there would be a joint meeting in June to finalize plans for the Fourth of July celebration.
The meeting concluded at 7:05 p.m., following approval of the monthly bills.
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