Tuesday’s Becker City Council meeting began with two public hearings to certify grass mowing and utility charges to the county tax rolls. 

The first hearing addressed three properties that  were billed to have their grass mowed this past summer and still have outstanding charges. Chris Lisson said the total for the three properties is $375.

No one from the public or the owners of the properties appeared before council and the resolution to assess the property owners was approved.

The second hearing was to certify unpaid water and sewer charges for collection with the subsequent year’s property taxes. Water and sewer accounts more than 60 days past due and owing more than $50 are to be assessed and were notified by mail Nov. 1.

Connie Robinson said staff mailed out notices to properties with a delinquent utility balance for a total amount of $13,425.98. Property owners are still given until Nov. 30 to bring their accounts current. To date, 71 accounts remain outstanding.

Again, no one appeared for the public hearing and council approved the resolution to assess the property owners.

Supplemental Letter

A supplemental letter agreement for engineering services related to the 2019 Well No. 7 site development was discussed and approved Tuesday.

Public Service Director Phil Knutson said the engineering services will come from SEH and there will be three basic services provided. One will be to initiate application for an appropriation permit from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources using the MnDNR Permitting and Reporting System (MPARS).

The second will be to collect topographic survey along the north side of Hwy. 24 between Co. Rd. 67 and the western-most boundary of the Olson property being purchased for the construction of a new well. Topographic survey will also be collected in the vicinity of Test Well W3 (southwest corner of site).

The third service will be to initiate a Type 1 (desktop) wetland delineation and reporting for the Hwy. 24 field survey corridor.

Knutson said SEH will start their services promptly after receipt of council’s authorization. He estimates the services will be completed after two months.

The estimated fee is hourly subject to a not-to-exceed amount of $21,000 including expenses and equipment.

3rd Quarter Financials

Robinson said the budget and finance committee met Oct. 22 to review the September financials. Overall, she said, the expenditures are at or below budget.

Statutory Tort Liability Limits

Robinson asked council to not waive the statutory tort liability limits for the City of Becker. She said  the City of Becker has opted to not waive statutory tort limits in the past.

Each year, the city is required to make an election related to statutory tort limits on their liability insurance coverage which renews in February. Minnesota statutes limit a city’s tort liability to a maximum per claim of $500,000 and $1,500,000 per occurrence. A city can elect to waive these limits, which is what Robinson suggested the city do. In that case, a single claimant could receive up to $1,500,000 per claim plus the amount of excess liability coverage the City carries. 

State Bonding Grant

Marie Pflipsen said t he State of Minnesota awarded the City of Becker $3.3 million towards the frontage road and utility project in 2018.She said in order to receive the bond proceeds, the city needs to execute a grant agreement with the State of MN. 

Pflipsen presented Resolution 19-69, authorizes the mayor and city administrator to execute the required documents in order to receive the state funding. 

She also mentioned Sherburne County will be establishing a joint powers agreement to allow for Becker to receive funding, since Becker is not a state aid city.

Closed Session

Council adjourned the meeting briefly to a closed session to determine the asking price for Parcel 60-474- 0420.

Up Next

The next Becker City Council meeting is Dec. 3 at 6 p.m.