"Approved, by a 5-2 vote, having the Charter Commission consider instant runoff and primary voting alternatives as options for the election of the mayor and city council. Voting against were Olson and Koep."


The level in city participation in the cost of the proposed downtown Brainerd street reconstruction project was discussed Wednesday by the Brainerd City Council.

Though the council reached no conclusion, several council members offered their opinions.

Council member Mark O'Day said he believes the city should participate in about 50 percent of the cost, with the remaining half being assessed to the 29 property owners who benefit from the project.

Council member Bob Olson, who owns property in downtown Brainerd within the project scope, said if the council tried to assess 50 percent of the costs back to property owners he didn't think the project would "fly." He said such assessments would send a message to residents that the council isn't interested in improving downtown.

Olson noted that assessments for the west Laurel Street project were lower because of the use of state and federal grants. Though no such grants were available for downtown, Olson said the city should issue an obligation bond to pay for the project.

"I think the property owners should have basically the same assessment rate as the property owners from South Sixth to East River Road," Olson said. "If there's a 50 percent assessment I will have to vote no on it."

O'Day asked City Attorney Tom Fitzpatrick if Olson, as a property owner, would have to abstain from voting on his own assessment.

"I would recommend he abstain to avoid any question about it," Fitzpatrick replied.

Council member Mary Koep said though state aid isn't available for the downtown project, issuing a bond to pay for the project would mean every Brainerd taxpayer would be picking up the additional cost. She said the assessments should be higher for downtown property owners.

Olson said he thought Brainerd residents would be supportive. He said that a $1 million project with a 20-year loan would equate to about $8 more in taxes per resident per year.

Council President Kelly Bevans asked if Brainerd residents had the choice of voting to absorb a large amount of the project cost would they choose to do so.

"I suspect that might be kind of a tough question," Bevans said.

Instead of making a decision on assessments the council directed city staffers to return with more information on possible project costs at the council's July 17 meeting.

In other action, the council:

Adopted a resolution accepting a bid of $958,069 from Anderson Brothers for the Northwest/Southwest Fifth and Laurel Street improvement project.

Approved, by a 5-2 vote, having the Charter Commission consider instant runoff and primary voting alternatives as options for the election of the mayor and city council. Voting against were Olson and Koep.

Learned from Koep that the committee set up to look for ways to save the Lum Park locomotive has made no progress. Koep said unless someone comes forward with assistance or ideas the council will have to consider selling it or giving it away.

Settled contracts by a 6-1 vote with Brainerd police supervisors for wage increases of 3 percent retroactively effective Jan. 1; 1 percent retroactively effective July 1; 2 percent effective Jan. 1, 2007; 2 percent effective July 1, 2007; and 3 percent effective Jan. 1, 2008.

Police sergeants will make $4,583 monthly effective Jan. 1; $4,629 effective July 1; $4,722 effective Jan. 1, 2007; $4,816 effective July 1, 2007; and $4,961 effective Jan. 1, 2008.

Longevity increases will be 2 percent of annual salary after 8 years of service, 3 percent after 12 years of service, 3.5 percent after 16 years of service, 4 percent after 20 years of service and 4.5 percent after 24 years of service.

Olson voted against the contract.