City Council Work Session

CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES Tuesday, October 01, 2024 at 5:45 PM Baxter City Hall, 13190 Memorywood Drive, Baxter, MN “A Growing Community” CALL TO ORDER Mayor Olson called the meeting to order at 5:45 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Darrel Olson and Council Members Zach Tabatt, Jeff Phillips, and Mark Cross were present. Council Member Connie Lyscio was absent. City Administrator Brad Chapulis, Assistant City Administrator Kelly Steele, Police Chief Jim Exsted, Assistant Police Chief Matt Maier, and Public Works Director Trevor Walter were present. BUSINESS ITEMS 1. Minnesota Department of Transportation TH 371 Corridor Study from Baxter to Nisswa Presentation MnDOT representatives presented the geometric layout of the TH 371 Corridor Study from Baxter to Nisswa. The presentation included a brief description of the project and then reviewed concept alternatives of intersection improvements and local roadway improvements. The discussion included if certain improvements should be advanced to alleviate potential issues during the construction of the TH 371/210 interchange. MnDOT representatives stated TH 371 could become an expressway. Council members questioned expressed concerns with the expressway concept and inquired if MnDOT could determine if survey’s were completed by a local resident or a person passing through Baxter. 2. Lodging Tax Discussion City Administrator Chapulis explained that the council previously discussed this agenda item and that there was an inquiry regarding the compliance of the state statute as it relates to the lodging tax. The city attorney has provided a legal option on the matter. Staff is seeking direction from the council on how they would like to move forward on the subject. Council members discussed the different options, including if the city should hire an in-house marketing person, if Visit Brainerd has provided a marketing plan for city review, discussed the proposed resolution drafted by the city attorney designating Visit Brainerd to as the visitor’s bureau, and if the city should continue partnering with Visit Brainerd for services. City Administrator Chapulis will work with the city attorney and Visit Brainerd and bring something back to the council for further discussion. ADJOURN MOTION by Council Member Tabatt, seconded by Council Member Cross to adjourn at 6:56 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. 10/1/2024 City Council Work Session Minutes Page 2 Approved by: Respectfully submitted, _____________________________ Darrel Olson Kelly Steele Mayor Assistant City Administrator