During their recent meeting, the Becker City Council started the ball rolling on two road projects that will both be eligible for government funding assistance.

The council signed a supplemental letter of agreement to start work on planning for improvements to Edgewood St. and the trail alongside it. This will be a project for 2026, but city staff wanted to begin the planning process early, especially since the project will be eligible to use state funding. The council had a brief discussion on the details before approving. 

Becker received a congressional appropriation (federal assistance) to create a grade-separated (on-ramp/off-ramp) interchange at the Hwy. 10 and Hwy. 25 intersection on the west side of the city. The city requested proposals for the design work to keep the project moving forward. 

Land Trade 

In March, the city was looking to sell off some land in the industrial park, and had a few interested parties, including TJ Potter Trucking. However, the economic development authority (EDA) discovered that the sale of the land could put the city in financial risk, so it was determined the land would not be sold. Todd Potter of TJ Potter was still interested in the land, which is serviced by city water, and offered to trade the city instead of doing the risky outright purchase. He offered to trade land back to the city which was not serviced by city water. City staff determined the trade would be fair if they took 18.5 acres of land from Potter in exchange for the 16.5 acres he was interested in owning. The process to plat the property and allow the city to make the proper vacations will additionally cost Potter $9,950. 

Council decided to move forward with the deal. 

In Other Business,the Council:

• Heard committee reports;

• Approved replacing a HVAC unit at the wastewater treatment facility;

• Approved the consent agenda.