On a day when the minimum quorum was reached, the Becker City Council held a quick, 10-minute meeting Tuesday covering limited items on the agenda.

 

Council Member Rick Hendrickson was absent and Mike Doering arrived late to the brief gathering.

 

 

Marie Pflipsen asked council to approve Resolution 19-42 of negative declaration on the need for an EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) for the Becker Data Center project.

 

Pflipsen said that on May 13, proposer Kutak Rock, LLP filed an Environmental Assessment worksheet on behalf of Jet Stream LLC, who proposes to construct, own and operate an approximately 375,000 square foot light industrial data center on property currently owned by Xcel Energy adjacent to its Sherco power plant and within the city limits. 

 

Pflipsen said the City of Becker is the Responsible Government Unit (RGU) for the state environmental review of this project. The Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) was prepared and a copy of the EAW was  provided to the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board (EQB) and circulated for review and comments to the required state EAW distribution list. All comments received during the comment period regarding the adequacy of the EAW were considered in determining the potential for significant environmental impacts.

 

Seven written comments from the MPCA and the DNR were made during the EAW comment period. No comments were received from the public. The MPCA’s comments were in regards to wastewater, storm water and noise while the DNR’s comments were in regards to the Loggerhead Shrike (endangered bird), Creek Heelsplitter (state-listed mussels of special concern) and the Great Blue Heron.

 

Written responses have been provided for substantive comments pertaining to analysis conducted for and  documented in the EAW.

 

 

Mayor Tracy Bertram read aloud a document declaring Tues., Aug. 6 as Night to Unite in the City of Becker.

 

Bertram pointed out the police department will not be holding an event at Kolbinger Park as they have in years past. She said the BPD decided to do this to influence neighborhoods to hold their own community gatherings to get to know their neighbors.

 

The purpose of Night to Unite is to allow people to get to know one another and build neighborhood involvement while bringing awareness to crime prevention. The event is to connect law enforcement and communities together.

 

 

Mayor Bertram updated council and the public on what was discussed at the personnel committee, fire joint powers board and the joint fire board annual meetings.

 

Council Member Troy Cox updated on the EDA and parks & recreation committees.

 

 

Greg Pruszinske presented the consent agenda which included a hiring and termination report for the Becker Police Dept. as well as a revision to the city council meeting dates, Pebble Creek job descriptions and the acceptance of several donations to go towards the 2019 Freedom Days event.

 

 

The Next Becker City Council meeting is July 7 (due to Night ot Unite) at 5 p.m.