The pros, aside from the cost to property owners, Dehn listed for the proposed plan include clear sidewalks during every snow event, continued landscaping downtown and preparation for the possibility no private contractors bid for downtown snow removal. Assessed costs for the same amount of snowfall with the proposed employee would be roughly $353.50. Landscaping and garbage services are included in assessments for the downtown services district. In a year with one large snow event, two moderately large events, three average events and eight small events, a business owner with 50 feet of front footage would be assessed $856 for snow removal, landscaping and garbage collection with the prices in the current contract with Tom’s Backhoe. Staff used an example winter scenario to estimate the cost difference for downtown property owners between the current and proposed scenarios. Tom’s Backhoe Service has consistently been the only company to bid for the contract for downtown snow removal, and the bid council members accepted this winter for clearing the streets, sidewalks and parking lots in the downtown area was about 10% higher than last year’s contract. Property owners in that area are assessed each year for snow removal, irrigation maintenance, landscaping and garbage collection - all services either provided by the city or contracted through the city. The downtown special services district includes the area of Laurel Street between South Sixth and Eighth streets, Front Street between South Sixth and Eighth streets, and South Seventh Street between Maple and Front streets. Of the downtown special services district last fall amid the exponentially The proposal comes after council members and downtown business owners 6, to hire a new full-time staff member who would be in charge of clearing sidewalks in downtown Brainerd during the winter and helping with landscaping and parks maintenance in the warm months. The Brainerd City Council reviewed a proposal Monday, Feb. BRAINERD - Hiring an extra staff member is one proposed solution to combat increasing snow removal costs in downtown Brainerd, but City Council members aren’t sure if it’s the right move.

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