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BEMIDJI — The Bemidji City Council addressed several community issues during its meeting on Monday evening, including a comprehensive rental housing seminar, which dominated much of the meeting's discussion.

City Rental Inspector Ben Hein shared details about the event, which is aimed at supporting and educating renters and landlords in our community.

The will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 23, at the Sanford Center. The event is free, and while registering on the city's website is encouraged for planning purposes, it's not mandatory.

"We know there are tenants in our town facing crises and needing help," Hein emphasized. "This seminar will give everyone a chance to ask questions and learn valuable insights."

The seminar will feature three main areas:

• Junior Renters Area: Designed for children ages 4 to 12, providing snacks and a movie while parents attend.
• Presentation Area: A classroom setup where local organizations like BI-CAP, Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota, the Bemidji Fire Department, the New Day Center, Housing Matters, Bemidji Housing and Redevelopment Authority and Northwest Indian Community Development Center will showcase their services.
• Exhibition Area: Tables for presenters to highlight how they assist tenants and landlords.

Transportation to the seminar will be available via the Bemidji Bus Line, with pick-ups at Lueken's North and South along with City Hall.

Ward 2 Councilor Josh Peterson raised concerns about the seminar's timing, noting its potential exclusion of working individuals. Hein assured the council that the seminar would be recorded for those unable to attend during work hours.

Council members expressed strong support for the seminar, emphasizing its importance in addressing Bemidji's housing challenges.

"This is a positive step in the right direction," Mayor Jorge Prince remarked.

For more information, contact City Hall or Ben Hein directly at (218) 759-3585.

During the meeting, City Engineer Sam Anderson presented a proposal for an ordinance to vacate a portion of Taft Avenue Northeast.

The plan involves vacating the last 235 feet of Taft, the narrow gravel road on Lake Bemidji's east side, just north of Lincoln Elementary ÍáÍáÂþ»­.

This section of land would be absorbed by the adjacent property owner, Shad Swanson. In exchange, Swanson will convey a piece of his property to the city to facilitate the installation of a fire apparatus.

"This plan aims to improve road conditions and safety in the area," Anderson added.

The council conducted the first reading of the ordinance and will continue to refine the proposal in future meetings.

The council also discussed the Airport Joint Powers Agreement. The JPA is a document between the city and Beltrami County that created the Bemidji Regional Airport Authority to manage and operate the airport together.

This agreement needs to be amended to comply with new state regulations related to airport zoning and other operational aspects. The most recent version of the JPA was updated in December 2008.

Changes to the JPA are necessary to align with the airport zoning ordinance, which is being sent to the state commissioner of transportation for review.

City Attorney Katie Nolting emphasized the flexibility the city and county have in making changes to the agreement.

Prince and Ward 1 Councilor Gwenia Fiskevold Gould both raised concerns about the potential impact on water supply management and requested that any threats to the water supply be potentially included in this agreement.

The council also opened the floor for public comment on the interim ordinance prohibiting cannabis business until Jan. 1, 2025, following a first reading on July 2.

This moratorium would provide the city with time to conduct necessary studies and develop comprehensive planning and zoning regulations.

No one stepped forward to comment, so the council moved forward with the second reading.