Braham public meetings in 2020

Truth in Taxation Council

The council will hold a Truth-in-Taxation public hearing and vote on resolutions for the 2021 final budget, salary, and tax levy. The meeting also includes updates on staff resignations, recent property sales, and election recounts.

• Approval of Resolution 20-38 and 20-39 regarding 2021 budget, salary, and tax levy
• Approval of Resolution 20-40 to accept a $250.00 donation for the fire department
• Acceptance of Jessica Murphy's resignation from the liquor store
• Update on the sale of Lot 9 in the industrial park to Sky Blue Halaal Meat Processing
• Review of the 2021 fee schedule

Council Special

The Braham City Council is holding a special meeting to canvass the results of the November 3, 2020 general election. The agenda includes approval of minutes from the November 10 meeting and accepting the agenda, with the sole new business item being the election canvass.

• Canvass the General Election Results

The Braham City Council, acting as the canvassing board, unanimously approved the general election results and vote totals as presented in the Abstract of Votes Cast. A recount requested by a candidate is scheduled for November 24 at 4 pm, and the council will canvass again after the recount, placing it on the December 1, 2020 agenda. The council also unanimously approved the minutes of the 11-10-20 meeting and the agenda as presented.

• Approved council minutes of 11-10-20 as submitted (unanimous)
• Accepted the agenda as presented (unanimous)
• Approved general election results and vote totals as presented in the Abstract of Votes Cast (unanimous)

Council

The Braham City Council approved a $64,495.60 contract with Visu-Sewer for cleaning and video inspection of clay sanitary sewer lines, accepted donations for fire department PPE, and approved 2021 liquor and cigarette licenses. The council also appointed Administrator Angela Grafstrom to the Isanti County Water Management Plan Task Force and approved bills totaling $1,002,973.20.

• Approved Visu-Sewer quote for $64,495.60 for sewer line cleaning and video (unanimous)
• Adopted Resolution 20-37 accepting $22,988.56 from Stanchfield Township and $9,637.71 from Maple Ridge Township for firefighter turnout gear (unanimous)
• Removed Marshall Lind and appointed Angela Grafstrom to Isanti County Water Management Plan Task Force (unanimous)
• Approved 2021 cigarette license for Dino Mart (unanimous)
• Approved on-sale 3.2 license for Braham Lanes and Wayne's Pro Shop (unanimous)
• Approved on-sale and Sunday intoxicating liquor license for SOS Pizza Pub, Inc. (unanimous)
• Approved cigarette license for Dollar General contingent on payment of fee (unanimous)
• Approved bills and payroll totaling $1,002,973.20 (unanimous)

Council

The Braham City Council approved a three-year police union contract effective Jan. 1, 2021, through Dec. 31, 2023. It also approved an $17,810 asphalt repair bid from SW Asphalt LLP, a $5,550.60 wastewater valve purchase from Vessco, and a resolution enabling the fire relief association to join PERA. The council established a Wellhead Protection Committee and approved listing the ERCOA lot for sale with Jon Wissler at $35,000–$38,000.

• Approved police union contract for 2021–2023 (unanimous)
• Approved $17,810 asphalt bid from SW Asphalt LLP (unanimous)
• Approved $5,550.60 wastewater valve purchase from Vessco (unanimous)
• Adopted Resolution 20-30 enabling Fire Relief to join PERA (unanimous)
• Established Wellhead Protection Committee (unanimous)
• Approved listing ERCOA lot with Jon Wissler at $35,000–$38,000 (unanimous)
• Adopted Resolution 20-31 appointing additional election judges (unanimous)
• Set budget approval meeting for Sept. 22 at 5 pm (unanimous)

Council

The Braham City Council voted 3-2 to adopt Ordinance 291, annexing five unincorporated properties surrounded by city land, despite opposition from four of the five property owners. A motion to not adopt the ordinance failed. The council also approved a raise for City Administrator Angela Grafstrom from $36.40 to $37.52 per hour, effective July 1, 2020, and a raise for Water/Wastewater Specialist Victor Fanth to $29.27 per hour, moving him to the superintendent's pay scale effective August 2, 2020.

• Adopted Ordinance 291 annexing 5 unincorporated properties (3-2; Carlson and Kunshier opposed)
• Approved $234,719.87 in bills and payroll
• Approved straight sidewalk design for 2nd Street Project
• Adopted Resolution 20-28 raising fire relief retirement amount to $3,000
• Approved $13,271.67 purchase of dump body and sander from Crysteel
• Approved $6,300 estimate from Nelson Sanitation for sludge removal
• Approved $5,435.70 purchase of portable Colorimeter from Hach
• Approved raises for Grafstrom and Fanth; accepted resignation of Jason Wida

Meeting

The Braham EDA committee reviewed and approved the March 10, 2020 meeting minutes. They discussed creating an emergency COVID-19 business loan program and unanimously voted to recommend the City Council approve $40,000 for that purpose. The proposed program would offer eight $5,000 no-interest loans, with a $100 origination fee, deferred payments for up to 6 months, and 54 months of repayment. The committee decided to prioritize non-essential businesses forced to shut down, but the loans would be open to all Braham businesses.

• Approved minutes of March 10, 2020 EDA meeting (unanimous)
• Unanimously voted to recommend City Council approve $40,000 for COVID-19 emergency business loans
• Discussed loan terms: $5,000 per loan, no interest, $100 origination fee, 6-month deferral, 54-month repayment
• Decided to prioritize non-essential businesses shut down by state order, but open to all Braham businesses
• Agreed to advertise loans via city Facebook, website, and park sign; Grafstrom to send letter to all city utility business customers