Baxter City Council Secures Funding for Stormwater Improvements

BAXTER — The Baxter City Council has successfully applied for $390,690 in federal funding aimed at enhancing stormwater and surface water overflow systems. This funding will support improvements from the College Road stormwater basin to the Mississippi River. The council approved the application for phase two of the southeast Baxter Surface Water Overflow Project during its meeting on January 6, 2024.

The second phase of the project involves constructing a combination of stormwater pipes and ditches designed to manage overflow from the Hastings Road and Douglas Fir Drive basins to County Highway 48. The city previously completed the first phase of the project in 2020, which extended from County State Aid Highway 48 to the Mississippi River as part of the North Forestview Area Improvements Project.

Funding for this initiative will come from the Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient and Cost-saving Transportation (PROTECT) program, established under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in 2021. The program requires a minimum 20% local financial match, and applicants must also be prepared to cover any additional costs that may arise during project completion.

The total estimated cost for phase two is $610,455, which includes $488,365 for construction, $97,675 for engineering, and $24,420 for legal, administration, and other project expenses. The city anticipates contributing $219,765, which consists of $97,675 for the local match, along with the engineering and administrative costs.

Additional Council Business

During the same meeting, the Baxter City Council addressed several other important matters. The council made annual appointments for various roles, including Council member Patrick Sundberg as the Parks and Recreation Commissioner and alternate for the Planning and Zoning Commission. Mayor Darrel Olson was appointed to multiple boards, including the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Brainerd Fire Advisory Board. Council member Connie Lyscio joined the Community Behavioral Health Hospital Advisory Board, while Council members Zach Tabatt and Mark Cross were appointed to the Joint Powers Wastewater Board, with Cross also serving as acting mayor in Olson’s absence.

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

In a decision affecting local business, the council approved a lower-potency hemp edible registration for Jack Pine Brewery, effective from January 7, 2026, to December 31, 2026. Sundberg, who owns the brewery, abstained from this vote.

Additionally, the council convened as the Economic Development Authority and held a closed session regarding property sales. They endorsed minor adjustments to the qualifications for the building official job description to enhance flexibility in certification and experience requirements. Notably, the requirement for five years of experience as a state-certified building official was removed from the desired qualifications.

The council also approved Alexandria Dwyer as a seasonal warming house attendant at a rate of $17.68 per hour. This role includes responsibilities at Loren Thompson and Oscar Kristofferson parks, where attendants will enforce park rules and manage snow shoveling based on weather conditions. The warming house is expected to close by mid-March.

Lastly, the council approved a contract with Short Elliott Hendrickson for improvements to the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems at the water treatment plant, not to exceed $57,292. The meeting concluded with discussions on labor negotiations in a closed session.