The airport commission initially requested an increase in their levy from $126,000 to $150,000. This sparked debate among council members, with some expressing concerns about the county’s lack of contribution and the broader implications for the city’s budget. One council member highlighted the unfairness of the city shouldering nearly half of the $300,000 airport budget. This sentiment was echoed by others, who were frustrated with the county’s reluctance to engage in financial discussions about the airport. The motion for the $150,000 increase ultimately resulted in a tie, leading to its failure. A subsequent motion proposed to set the airport levy at $11,000, emphasizing perceived inequities in taxation for Brainerd taxpayers compared to other areas in the county.

Moving on, the council discussed the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) preliminary levy for 2025. A motion was made to set the levy at $173,900, following a letter from the HRA Chairman suggesting a higher amount. The increased levy included a $45,000 line item for board initiatives linked to a potential Minnesota housing grant for a local developer and a $30,000 fund balance increase for the HRA. A council member inquired about the Housing Trust Fund, which would be separate from the proposed increase. The motion to set the HRA levy was put to a vote and carried unanimously.

Another major topic was the proposed preliminary levy for 2025, set at $7,515,698, with an additional $173,000 for the HRA. Finance chair Gabe Johnson initiated a motion to adopt the preliminary levy, suggesting an 8% increase to account for uncertainties with the airport levy, which was initially set at $1,000 but could change. Johnson expressed concern about being overly conservative with the budget, prompting a discussion on the need for flexibility in the levy to accommodate possible adjustments later. Several council members expressed differing opinions on the proposed levy increase. The Mayor emphasized the need for transparency with the public and insisted on working within budget constraints, while another member suggested considering a 0% increase and reviewing every budget line item thoroughly.

In the realm of community services, Talia Broadhead from the Blade organization presented on substance abuse prevention efforts within the community. Established in 2019 in Crow Wing County, Blade received a $125,000 annual grant from the Drug-Free Community Grant program, which is set to last for five years. Broadhead highlighted the outreach success of Blade, noting that over 900 students have been served through partnerships with local schools and organizations such as the Minnesota Prevention and Recovery Alliance. Broadhead also mentioned an anti-vaping campaign and a recent event, the annual “Walk for Recovery,” which saw increased participation and provided a space for community celebration.

The council also discussed the preliminary Park Board budget, which had an 18% increase for 2025 compared to 2024. The increase was largely attributed to personnel services, including the addition of two seasonal full-time staff members. A directive was issued for staff to review the budget with the Park Board to identify any elements that could be deferred to future years, as such a significant increase was deemed unsustainable.

The meeting also addressed bids for downtown snow removal, with the committee recommending awarding the contract to Advantage Home Pros, moving away from the long-time contractor, Tom’s Backhoe. Concerns were raised about changing contractors for a small cost difference, emphasizing the reliability of the previous provider. It was acknowledged that competitive bidding might lead to better pricing in future years. Additionally, a proposal for bridge inspection services was approved, with a contract awarded to Bolton and Mink for $2,400.

In the area of public safety, the council decided to maintain traffic control measures at the intersection of 5th Avenue Northeast and D Street Northeast, citing traffic counts and pedestrian crossings as reasons for leaving the stop signs in place. A divisive topic arose regarding signs within the right-of-way, where the committee recommended a complaint-based approach for enforcement. Some members expressed concerns about the potential political implications of selective enforcement, while others argued that staff should not be burdened with policing signs unless a complaint was made. Ultimately, the motion for a complaint-based approach passed after debate.

Lastly, the council moved to decommission the Parking Commission, deciding that the Safety and Public Works Committee would handle parking recommendations moving forward. Some members expressed concerns about citizen engagement and the implications of moving such discussions to a committee rather than having full council involvement. Despite opposition, the motion to decommission passed.