The council’s discussion about the airport levy was one of the most contentious and detailed topics of the evening. The city’s airport levy, proposed to increase from $146,000 to $150,000 for 2025, sparked a debate. Concerns were raised about the implications of “double taxation” on Brainerd residents, as the levy is currently split between the city and the county. One council member argued that if the county took over the majority of the levy, it would relieve Brainerd taxpayers, suggesting, “the airport should be considered an asset for the entire region.”

The city administrator was tasked with exploring options regarding the airport’s management and financial responsibilities, emphasizing the need for collaboration with Crow Wing County and the airport director to develop future-oriented recommendations. Despite some skepticism about the county’s willingness to assume the entire levy, the council agreed to direct staff to draft a formal letter to the county for their consideration.

A subsequent motion to table the levy discussion until the next meeting was proposed to allow for further consideration of the levy’s implications and the potential for the county to assume more financial responsibility. This motion resulted in a split decision but ultimately passed, delaying immediate action on the levy increase.

Another topic was the proposal to replace a failing sewer main in the Rosewood alley. The condition of the sewer main was described as “really tough,” with issues exacerbated by a sinkhole in the area. After considering the costs and potential risks, the council unanimously voted to proceed with the replacement proposal, recognizing that temporary fixes were no longer viable.

The council also faced a decision on the Lum Park pedestrian bridge project, which is associated with the Trunk Highway 210 improvements. With a grant of $1.3 million secured but total project costs estimated between $5 million and $6 million, the council had to decide whether to proceed with the grant or decline it due to the significant funding gap. Ultimately, they chose to inform MnDOT that the city could not utilize the grant at this time, with plans to seek additional funding opportunities in the future.

In other business, the council agreed to dissolve the Tree Committee due to undefined duties and lack of interest, though they acknowledged ongoing citizen engagement in tree-related issues. The council emphasized that the dissolution did not reflect a lack of community interest in urban forestry but rather aimed to streamline city operations.

Street sweeping operations were another focal point. The Public Works representatives detailed the costs and challenges associated with current street sweeping practices, highlighting the need for better equipment. Discussions included the high cost of suitable sweepers and the inefficiency of smaller, less effective machines. The council agreed to focus on cleaning particularly dirty areas with the existing equipment and explore future options for acquiring more appropriate machinery.

Public comments also brought attention to Brian Park, with a resident expressing concerns about its underutilization. The council encouraged residents to review the park’s plan before the upcoming park board meeting and submit any suggestions to City Hall.

The meeting concluded with various staff reports and updates on ongoing projects, including the nearing completion of the South Brainerd reconstruction project and the initiation of other construction efforts. The council recognized the contributions of city staff, particularly during a challenging year marked by union negotiations and interim roles.