The cost for the two signs is estimated at $125.

 

Nicole Popplewell and Kari Westby of the BTYR committee brought forward the sign request and said they needed the city’s approval to proceed with ordering the signs from MnDOT.

 

During open forum, Roger Bigalke spoke with emotion how the BTYR organization and other supporting veteran entities (Lions, Legion, etc.) in the community have aided veterans and current military families who have served the United States. Bigalke said it’s been a shame how some of the veterans - especially those like him who served in the Vietnam War  - have been treated over the years.

 

Resident Bill Johnson also approached the podium and spoke with passion, telling council “if the city wasn’t going to pay for the signs, he’d pay for them out of his own pocket.”

 

Council approved funding the signs from their general operations fund not to exceed $150.

 

 

Council approved the resolution identifying where people are designated  who plan to serve on committees and organizations for the upcoming year.

 

Council Member Tracy Bertram will remain as acting mayor and will also serve on the annexation and joint planning board, the fire joint powers board, LPI advisory committee and the public works committee.

 

Mayor Lefty Kleis will sit on the annexation and joint planning board, EDA, fire joint powers board, Northstar corridor and Xcel advisory board.

 

Member Rick Hendrickson will be part of the budget and finance committee, EDA, golf management, LPI advisory, parks and recreation and Xcel advisory.

 

Member Lynette Brannan is part of the firefighter’s relief association, parks and recreation, personnel, police management and planning commission.

 

Member Adam Oliver  is on the golf management committee, personnel, police management, planning commission and public works.

 

Also serving are Marilyn Danielson (firefighter’s relief association), Greg Pruszinske (LPI advisory, Northstar), Dave Pesola (LPI advisory) and Jeanne Henderson (planning commission).

 

Scott Lepak will be retained as the city attorney, Abdo, Eick & Meyers as the city auditor, Randy Sabart of SEH as the city engineer, Sherburne State Bank as official depository and Sherburne County Citizen as official newspaper.

 

 

Treasurer Corey Boyer asked council to approve to not waive the statutory tort liability limits.

 

Each year, the City of Becker is required — as part of its liability insurance renewal — to make an election related to statutory tort limits on their liability coverage. 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 and Becker has done so over the last several years.

 

If waived, a single claimant could receive up to $1.5 million per claim plus the amount of excess liability coverage the city carries.

 

Boyer noted the majority of cities in the state choose not to waive the limits.

 

Council voted to not waive the statutory tort limits.

 

 

During the after meeting’s executive session, council held discussions centering around making a decision on the next phase of the golf course at Pebble Creek. Discussion at previous workshops allowed for the examination of the city continuing operations of the golf course with the possible consideration of selling, leasing or pursuing a management company to operate the golf course.

 

Tuesday, Administrator Pruszinske provided council with background and historical information on the golf course dating back to its commencement.

 

Pruszinske also invited several former city council members and golf management members to speak including Mike Doering, Norm Jensen, Stan Herkenhoff and Dennis Voigt.

 

Pruszinske said the members were invited to describe to the city the vision of Pebble Creek, why a golf course was created and other areas revolving the decision making process they followed to bring a golf course to Becker.

 

Pruszinske said at the next executive session, he plans to have Al McMurchie on hand to give an overview of the city running the golf course and discuss lease and management contracts. Pruszinske also hopes to provide facts and financial data on Pebble Creek.

 

At the two February executive sessions, Pruszinske plans to go over management contracts and appraisals with North Co. Broker management and allow for Greg Stang of the Wilson Golf Group to talk about managing.

 

 

• The city approved a partial pay request to Knife River in the amount of $30,374.31, leaving a construction amount of $202,018.54 for 2013 street improvements;

 

• Treasurer Boyer has accepted a private sector finance position with a company in St. Cloud and announced his resignation. His last day of work with the city is Jan. 17;

 

The next Becker City Council meeting is Jan. 21 at 5 p.m.