Baxter City Council Secures $390,690 for Water Improvement Project

BAXTER — The Baxter City Council has approved an application for $390,690 in federal funding aimed at enhancing stormwater management in the region. This funding request, submitted on January 6, 2024, is designated for phase two of the southeast Baxter Surface Water Overflow Project, which will improve the flow of stormwater and surface water from the College Road stormwater basin to the Mississippi River.

The upcoming phase involves constructing a combination of stormwater pipes and ditches that will transport water overflow from the basins located at Hastings Road and Douglas Fir Drive to County Highway 48. This initiative follows the successful completion of phase one in 2020, which extended from CSAH 48 to the Mississippi River as part of the North Forestview Area Improvements Project.

Funding for this project is sourced from the Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient and Cost-saving Transportation (PROTECT) program, established under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. The city is required to provide a minimum 20% local financial match for the grant, alongside the ability to cover any additional costs associated with the project.

The total estimated cost for phase two is $610,455, which breaks down into $488,365 for construction, $97,675 for engineering, and $24,420 for legal, administration, and other project expenses. The city aims to secure PROTECT funding to cover 80% of the construction costs, leaving a local expenditure of approximately $219,765.

City Council Developments and Appointments

In addition to the funding application, the Baxter City Council addressed several other matters during the meeting. The council established annual appointments for various roles, including Council Member Patrick Sundberg as Parks and Recreation Commissioner and alternate to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Mayor Darrel Olson will continue to serve on the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Brainerd Fire Advisory Board, the Joint Powers Recreation Board, and the Northland Arboretum Board. Council Member Connie Lyscio will represent the Community Behavioral Health Hospital Advisory Board at The Center.

The council designated the Brainerd Dispatch as the official newspaper and confirmed city depositories, which include Moreton Capital Markets, PMA Financial Network Inc., RBC Capital Markets, Stifel Nicolaus and Co., and US Bank.

Other notable decisions included the approval of a lower-potency hemp edible registration for Jack Pine Brewery from January 7, 2026, to December 31, 2026. Council Member Sundberg, who owns the brewery, abstained from the vote due to a conflict of interest. The council also convened as the Economic Development Authority and held a closed session regarding property sales.

The council approved minor modifications to the job description for the building official position, aiming to enhance flexibility in the qualifications required. The previous requirement of five years of experience as a state-certified building official was removed from the desired qualifications.

Finally, the council appointed Alexandria Dwyer as a seasonal warming house attendant at a wage of $17.68 per hour. The warming houses, located at Loren Thompson and Oscar Kristofferson parks, will be staffed to enforce park rules and assist with snow removal. The warming houses are expected to close by mid-March, depending on weather conditions.

Additionally, the council approved a contract with Short Elliott Hendrickson for heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning improvements at the water treatment plant, with a budget not to exceed $57,292. Labor negotiations also took place in a closed session.