The Becker City Council met Tuesday to discuss a joint powers agreement, 2020 well projects, solar panels, a preliminary plat tor T-Town and the CARES Act.

Joint Powers Agreement

Police Chief Brent Baloun said his department currently accesses numerous databases provided through or housed by the MN Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. These databases include, in part, access to vehicle and driver information and criminal history data.

“These are the two most used databases that we currently have access to,” he said. “Access to these systems is vital to the daily operations and investigative duties of the police department.”

Baloun presented a Joint Power Agreements (JPA) between the Becker PD and BCA and prosecuting attorney and the BCA. The prosecuting attorney is included as they work on behalf of the City of Becker. Per the BCA, the JPA process is done every five years to ensure things stay current.

In addition, it ensures that departments have current policies regarding the use and misuse of access and dissemination of information collected. The police department participates in an audit process every three years to ensure compliance with use and policies are up to date and current.

“We have passed all such audits since we have had access,” said Baloun. “Currently, we do not have a JPA between the prosecuting attorney and the BCA, so that part is a new request. The Sherburne County attorney will sign their own JPA for their own access.”

Also new to this JPA is a fee structure, said Baloun. The BCA is now charging an amount of $150/quarter or $600/year for access.

“We haven’t had to pay a fee for this service for approximately 10 years when we utilized a fob system,” he said. “Our access changed to a direct link at that time, so the fee went away. The BCA recognizes that with changes in their system, and increasing expenses, they are authorized under state statute to charge a fee. This fee to Becker PD is $600 as we only have one access point.”

Baloun requested an approval to the resolution to continue with the department’s access to the BCA CJDN Network. Per the BCA only one resolution for the two JPA’s is requested.

Well #7 & 8 Project

Phil Knutson said staff has been working with SEH regarding the Well #7 Project. Contract B is for the wellhouse building and the low bid is American Liberty in the amount of $1,210,850.60.

“As we have worked to get the funding sources in order, we have or will time out on the allowable acceptance time of 60 days,” said Knutson. “American Liberty is uncomfortable keeping their bid in play for an extension of the award time because of material pricing.”

The other two low bid contractors are willing to hold their bids for an additional 30-60 days, Knutson told council.

“We will look to put Contract B out for bid again in the coming months as we get a better understanding of the overall funding plans.”

Solar Panels

Marie Pflipsen said the city has received an application for a variance to the side setback within the I-PRK zoning district on parcel 60-431-0130, address 12925 Prosperity Ave SE.

A variance for Real Time Solutions for ground equipment for installing solar panels.

Plipsen says the planning commission will be reviewing the application and hosting a public hearing August 31.

T-Town Plat

Pflipsen said city staff has been working on a replat of a portion of the Becker Historical District, known as the T-Town Zoning District.

The parking lot and open space areas surrounded primarily by Hancock St. SE, Central Ave., 1st St. SE, and Willow St. SE are comprised of multiple parcel numbers of various sizes. The purpose of this plat, Pflipsen says, is to simplify the configuration of this area into fewer parcels, including three (3) parcels that will be able to be sold for future development and one (1) outlot.

A public hearing is required for a preliminary plat. Final plats do not require a public hearing, but Pflipsen says staff intends to process both preliminary and final plats concurrently. As the properties are owned by the city, council is needing to call for a public hearing for the preliminary Sept. 28 at approximately 6 p.m.

CARES Act

Connie Robinson said the CARES Act provided federal funds to the State of Minnesota, which the Legislature and the Governor distributed to local governments throughout the state to deal with the financial impacts of COVID-19.

The CARES funding allocated to the City of Becker is $365,852. In order to obtain these funds, the city has submitted the Coronavirus Relief Fund Certification Form and requested the disbursement of funds. These funds have been received. The certification states that the City of Becker will follow state and federal guidelines for use of the relief funds.

The CARES funding requires a three-point test for utilization of the funds and includes that funds be necessary expenditures for responding to COVID 19, not accounted for in the original budget process and be incurred during the period of March 1, 2020 to November 15, 2020.

Now that Becker funds have been distributed, Robinson says there is a monthly reporting process that covers the use of funds. If there are any unspent funds at the end of the expenditure period, they will be remitted to Sherburne County for their use in mitigating the financial impact of COVID-19.

The League of MN Cities has been helpful in organizing information sessions and Q&A to help determine eligible and ineligible uses of funds.

The State MMB has defined Coronavirus Relief Fund Categories and provided definitions of what is required for reporting expenditures, as well the form to be used for reporting. Robinson says the city will begin reporting in early September.

Up Next

The next Becker City Council meeting is Sept. 15 at 5 p.m.