The Becker City Council passed a unanimous resolution supporting a new, full-service, post office location in the City of Becker.
The Post Office’s lease on its current location will expire in the fall of 2025. That location is currently owned by Rademacher Family Partnership who are planning the redeveloping of the site. Grant Rademacher contacted USPS in 2023 about relocating the new Post Office to a location next to Bill’s Family Foods. Rademacher has been building an addition to the grocery store and remodeling. At the time, Rademacher proposed building in the addition a space for the new post office according to their needs. By the time USPS had responded, plans for the addition became difficult to change.
USPS has since approached the city with options for a new location that according to the city, “were either not realistic, or involved decreasing the level of service, including forcing route drivers to work out of the Monticello post office.”
In the resolution, the city blames USPS for the present circumstance, however, it may still be possible for Rademacher to make accommodations for the new Post Office at Bill’s Family Foods.
Mayor Kolbinger announced that a meeting will be held on Tues., Feb. 11 with himself, representatives from the USPS, Rademacher, and the Director of Constituent Services from Tom Emmer’s office. Becker Township passed a similar measure to keep the Post Office in Becker and asking for support from Emmer’s office.
Acquiring Park Land
During a previous executive session, the council discussed purchasing a 6.41-acre property in the eastern part of the city, north of Hwy. 10 at 122 St. and 42nd Ave. Two hundred and thirty-three residents currently reside in this area. An area that according to Phil Knutson, Public Services Director, is an area that “has been underserved for years.”
The location has been farmed for a number of years and would provide a blank canvas for the city to develop. The resolution requests that the city initiate a purchase agreement for the property at the current asking price of $200,000. If the PA is accepted, the agreement would come back to the council for approval.
2024 Financial Report
Finance Director Mark Ebensteiner had some good news for the council regarding the city’s finances for 2024.
Property tax that has been collected amounted to 98.18% of the total amount levied, when you add in 2024 levy collections in Jan. from Sherburne County, that number is 99.85%. Intergovernmental funds and interest on investments helped the budget. Intergovernmental funds exceeded budget by $325,000 and interest gained was $146,000.
The EDA fund received an unexpected $250,000 Rockefeller Philanthropy Grant in 2024 and strong membership allowed the Community Center Fund to exceed it’s revenues by 102%. Golf Fund Revenues again do not include property tax levy funds in 2024.
Anniversaries
Mayor Kolbinger announced February anniversaries for the city with a couple of impressive anniversaries in the Water and Sewer Department. Michael Barringer has worked for the city for 25 years and Robert Rierson for 20. Also, Matthew Keller (two) and Christopher Kroll (seven) celebrated anniversaries as well.
City Clerk Shannon Mortenson celebrates one year, Anthony Nahrgang six, and Christine Olin eight years. Officer David Rydberg celebrates eight years. Three PT employees celebrated five years, Grant Jansons, Emily Keenan, and Kimberlee Riley.
