City Council Special Meeting

CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES Thursday, May 08, 2025 at 6:00 PM Baxter City Hall, 13190 Memorywood Drive, Baxter, MN “A Growing Community” CALL TO ORDER Mayor Olson called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Darrel Olson and Council Members Connie Lyscio and Zach Tabatt were present. Council Members Patrick Sundberg and Mark Cross were absent. City Administrator Brad Chapulis, Assistant City Administrator Kelly Steele, and Public Works Director Trevor Walter were present PRESENTATIONS 1. Hearing on Proposed Assessments for 2025 Commercial Full Depth Reclamation Improvements Project, Municipal Project No. 4425 Alex Bitter, with Widseth, presented the 2025 Commercial FDR Improvements Project assessment hearing presentation. Mr. Bitter summarized his presentation will include the project history, proposed improvements, assessment procedure and calculations, schedule and property owner information. Members of the audience will have an opportunity to ask questions. Mr. Bitter explained the improvement hearing was held on November 7, 2024 and a supplemental improvement hearing was held on February 20, 2025. The project area includes Audubon Way and Whispering Wood Lane and will include a full depth reclamation of the roadways. The benefiting commercial properties will be assessed 100% of project costs up to 44’ in roadway width. The assumed city costs will include roadway width in excess of 44’, sanitary sewer repair on Audubon Way, and water and sewer service removals on Whispering Woods Lane. The remaining project costs will be assessed on a front footage/square foot basis. The total estimated project cost from the supplemental improvement hearing was $954,745 and now at the assessment hearing it has gone down to $849,784. The total assessable cost is $792,105. Assessments will be amortized for a 12-year term. The council will consider adopting the assessments rolls on May 20, 2025. Construction is scheduled to occur between August 18 and the end of October 2025. OPEN PUBLIC HEARING Mayor Olson opened the public hearing at 6:16 p.m. 5/8/2025 City Council Special Meeting Minutes Page 2 Frank Lemke, 5493 Barbeau Road, explained he had never seen a truck drive on Audubon Way and the city should leave the road as it is. The road should have been built to a 10 ton design the first time. Mr. Lemke questioned if the lots in the back are being sold. Joan Peterson, 10116 Birch Grove Road, explained she is the owner of Fit Quest and about a quarter of her members are also in attendance. Ms. Peterson asked for clarification on how her assessment was calculated. Mr. Bitter explained how the assessments were calculated. Ms. Peterson stated that after walking the roadway she doesn’t see where the roadway is failing, and the project seems wasteful. Ms. Peterson stated her understanding is that the value of her property should increase based on the assessment. City Administrator Chapulis explained the assessment process. Ms. Peterson explained her property is not valued as high as the properties that are located along the highway. She explained her assessment is 9.3% of her property value and that her business cannot afford the assessment. Stephen Schultz, 5670 State Highway 25, inquired who will vote on the project. Mr. Schultz explained Fit Quest doesn’t make a lot of money and there are a lot of people who use the facility. If Fit Quest closes, there is no where else for the people to go. Mapleton Road, near the schools, is very bumpy. The city should spend money on a road that is being used. Public Works Director Walter explained Mapleton Road is a county road and falls under the jurisdiction of Crow Wing County. The county is planning to reconstruct the road next year. Bob Bowman (did not provide an address), explained he does not have curb or gutter in his neighborhood and questioned why curb and gutter is being installed for this project. Public Works Director Walter explained the city’s curb and gutter policy. Mike Anderson (did not provide an address), explained he is the director of transportation for Sysco Foods. The biggest truck used on this road is smaller than a 10-ton truck. Rosemary Schuster (did not provide an address), explained she has seen real estate signs on the property located behind the hotel and inquired what is proposed for the property. Ms. Schuster inquired if the city could delay the project until the property is sold and developed so costs can be spread around. City Administrator Chapulis explained the property in question is already being assessed for the project. Steve Berg, 5457 Ojibwa Road, inquired why the properties located along the highway are not being assessed. Jack Tisum (did not provide an address), explained he works in the construction industry. Mr. Tisum explained he has never seen semi traffic use the road and suggested the city leave the road alone and spend the money elsewhere. Hank Hemquist, 4754 Brentwood Road, asked the council to review the numbers for Joan and if her set back calculation is correct. Unidentified audience member explained mainly cars and small SUV’s use Audubon Way and if there are no potholes after 25 years why is the city considering doing the project. 5/8/2025 City Council Special Meeting Minutes Page 3 Unidentified audience member explained the city is spending a million dollars on a dog park and this money could be spent on this project. The person explained the council is not representing the people of the city. Peter Neifert, 13986 Cherrywood Drive, explained his concerns are about the general economic picture due to a lot of uncertainty right now. Mr. Neifert suggested the city wait until there is visible damage to the roadway and people start to complain. Mark Johannes, 1507 Audubon Way, explained he is the owner of Westside Liquors. They haul their own liquor and use single axel trucks. He owns several liquor stores, and the Baxter store is located on the nicest road. Mr. Johannes explained he feels the city is against him. He will lose two months of sales due to the road construction. Their deliveries will have to be made to their front parking lot causing damage to their parking lot and requiring costly repairs. Sheryl (did not provide last name or address) explained members of Fit Quest are like family. Terry (did not provide last name or address) stated he can show the city miles of road that are worse. The council has the ability to listen and help people. CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING Mayor Olson closed the public hearing at 7:05 p.m. NEXT STEPS City Administrator Chapulis explained the process for audience members to preserve their right to appeal the special assessments. ADJOURN MOTION by Council Member Tabatt, seconded by Council Member Lyscio to adjourn at 7:06 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Approved by: Respectfully submitted, _____________________________ Darrel Olson Kelly Steele Mayor Assistant City Administrator