Braham public meetings in 2022
11 substantive meetings from 2022, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
City Council
The Braham City Council will hold a public hearing and vote on the final 2023 budget and property tax levy, along with the 2023 salary schedule and holiday policy. They will also consider adopting a water ordinance amendment, a three-year garbage contract with Quality Disposal Systems, a one-year contract with Robins Consulting, and a survey agreement with Moore Engineering for the ERCOA lot. The meeting includes a closed session for the City Administrator's six-month performance review.
- Adopt Resolution R22-46: Final General Fund Levy Collectible in 2023
- Adopt Resolution R22-47: 2023 Final Budgets for General, Liquor, Water, and Sewer Funds
- Adopt Ordinance 295: Amending Title V Public Works, Chapter 51 (Water)
- Approve three-year contract with Quality Disposal Systems for garbage and refuse services
- Approve one-year contract with James Robins, Robins Consulting
Special City Council
The Braham City Council will consider Resolution 22-44 to canvass and certify the November 8, 2022 municipal general election results. The resolution declares Nate George the mayor-elect, Nicole 'Marie' Peltz and Robert 'Bob' Knowles as council members-elect, and Jeremy Kunshier as the winner of the special council election. The meeting is otherwise procedural.
- Resolution 22-44 canvassing election returns
- Mayor race: Nate George 397, Patricia 'Tish' Carlson 222
- Council (2 seats): Nicole 'Marie' Peltz 272, Robert 'Bob' Knowles 265, Vicky Ethen 193, Peter DuVernay 176, Michael Wachs 121
- Special council election: Jeremy Kunshier 465, write-in 14
City Council
The Braham City Council will consider adopting three ordinances: one amending tobacco sales regulations, one amending employee and organization rules, and one creating a fire prevention chapter. The council will also approve consent agenda items including bills totaling $128,375.79 and job descriptions for fire department roles, and will hold a closed session to discuss an offer for city-owned property near Central Drive East and Beechwood Avenue South.
- Adopt Ordinance 287 amending Title XI, Chapter 113: Tobacco Sale, Consumption
- Adopt Ordinance 288 amending Title III, Chapter 30: Employees and Officials; Organizations
- Adopt Ordinance 302 amending Title IX, Chapter 90 and creating Chapter 94: Fire Prevention
- Approve bills totaling $128,375.79 (checks #43382-#43430, ACH payments)
- Closed session to consider offer for city property (PID 14,002.2500) near Central Drive East and Beechwood Avenue South
Special City Council Budget
The Braham City Council is reviewing the proposed 2023 budget, which shows a significant increase in total general fund revenues (41%) and notable changes in various departments. The budget includes a proposed property tax levy of $1,242,030, a 117% increase from the 2022 certified budget. The council is also considering new technology expenses, building repairs, and police and fire department funding increases.
- Proposed 2023 property tax levy of $1,242,030 (116.99% increase from 2022)
- General fund revenues proposed at $2,226,578 (40.99% increase)
- Police department budget proposed at $769,726 (9.67% increase)
- Fire department budget proposed at $129,958 (51.45% increase)
- New technology expenses: $12,790 for software (Marco, Banyon, Laserfiche, Microsoft 365, GovOffice, Arete)
City Council
The Braham City Council will consider adopting an interim ordinance prohibiting the sale, testing, manufacturing, and distribution of cannabinoid products, and will discuss a town hall meeting on the proposed 2023 budget. They will also interview fire chief applicants and approve the purchase of two submersible pumps for the Elmhurst Lift Station. The consent agenda includes approving bills totaling $232,227.78 and a special event permit for a candidate meet and greet.
- Approve bills totaling $232,227.78 (checks #43288-#43376, 33636e-33649e)
- Adopt Interim Ordinance 301 prohibiting sale, testing, manufacturing, distribution of cannabinoid products
- Purchase two heavy duty submersible pumps for Elmhurst Lift Station from QualityFlow Systems at $13,390
- Interview fire chief applicants Ross Benzen and Amanda Swenson
- Consider town hall meeting on proposed 2023 budget at Braham Event Center
Planning Commission
The Braham Planning Commission will hold a public hearing and decide on a variance request from Braham Area Schools for the elementary school parking lot at 528 8th St. SW, which would reduce the front yard setback from 30 feet to 8.19 feet. The commission will also discuss a possible ordinance to allow chickens in residential districts, following a City Council request.
- Variance request for 528 8th St. SW (Braham Elementary School) to reduce front yard setback from 30 ft to 8.19 ft for parking lot construction
- Public hearing on the variance request
- Discussion on ordinance to allow chickens in residential districts, with proposed $100 application fee and up to 6 chickens per lot
- Approval of minutes from July 26, 2022 meeting
Planning Commission
The Braham Planning Commission will review the sale of Lot 9 in the Braham Industrial Park to Carlson Auction Services, LLC. The buyer proposes building a warehouse distribution center for its online auction business. The Commission will adopt Resolution 22-32, which verifies the sale complies with the City’s Comprehensive Plan and grants the buyer a right of first refusal on adjacent Lot 10.
- Adoption of Resolution 22-32 approving the sale of Lot 9, Block 1, Braham Industrial Park (2.99 acres) to Carlson Auction Services, LLC
- Granting Carlson Auction Services, LLC a right of first refusal to purchase Lot 10, Block 1, Braham Industrial Park
- Verification that the proposed warehouse distribution center use is consistent with the General Business - Industrial District (GB-1) zoning
- Approval of minutes from the April 12, 2022 Planning Commission Meeting
Special City Council
The Braham City Council is holding a special meeting to review a proposed 2023 budget that includes a 52.3% property tax levy increase. The budget aims to address spending that has exceeded revenues, depleting $1.2 million in reserves over the past two years. The council will consider options to reduce the increase through cuts to capital contributions and fund balance replenishment.
- Proposed 52.3% levy increase
- Option A: 44% levy increase with $125,350 in cuts
- Option B: 39.24% increase with $205,700 in cuts
- New items: police vehicle leasing ($30,000), radio lease ($12,303), street maintenance increase ($25,000)
- Sewer budget: Jetter truck payment $20,440
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to consider a variance request from Jeff and Mary Lodin. The request seeks permission to construct a 26x20 foot shingled carport over an existing parking slab, which would exceed the property's allowed maximum ground coverage.
- Public hearing for 412 2nd St SW variance request to construct 26x20 carport cover
City Council
The Braham City Council is meeting to handle routine approvals and several policy items. Key actions include terminating a private development contract with Sky Blue Halal Meat Processing, amending ordinances on sewage and food wagons, and considering hiring part-time liquor store staff. The council will also discuss city administrator interviews and a records management system.
- Resolution R22-13 terminating contract with Sky Blue Halal Meat Processing, LLC
- Ordinance 297 amending Title V, Chapter 52 (Sewage)
- Ordinance 298 amending Title XI, Chapter 116 (Food Wagons)
- Resolution R22-11 accepting $6,600 donation from Grandy Lions for fire extrication tool
- Approval of bills totaling $258,259.44
Meeting
The Braham Economic Development Authority is meeting to discuss several economic development items, including an update on a hotel study, extending water and sewer to the industrial park, a bonding bill request for water and sewer improvements, a food wagon ordinance, and downtown business promotions. No formal decisions are noted on the agenda.
- Update on Hotel Study
- EDA Projects – Extension of Water and Sewer to Industrial Park
- Update on Bonding Bill Request for Water and Sewer Improvements
- Food Wagon Ordinance
- Downtown Business Promotions