The Becker Township Board held a meeting in August that dealt with road projects, residential concerns, two public hearings and a request to join the Hwy. 25 Corridor project.

 

Chairman Brian Kolbinger brought information on the Hwy. 25 corridor project  in the form of a request for Becker Township to participate in this group. Kolbinger says they are looking for assistance in funding a Hwy. 25 Corridor Project — however, at this time, the state has no plans for an additional bridge crossing. The group would like Becker city and township to participate and the board expressed interest.

 

One of the first things the Hwy. 25 corridor group would focus on is research and the costs of about $150,000 for a transportation study. Kolbinger says the group is looking into a $25,000 grant with the rest being funded 50% by county and 50% by cities and townships.

 

Kolbinger says once the study is complete, they would obtain a lobbyist.

 

Mark Wimmer  issued a “thank you” to the board for working hard to try and control costs and for awarding a snow and ice control contract. He also wondered about the clerk’s question last month regarding assistance with the general maintenance contract.

 

Wimmer prefers to see the township use contracts rather than “piecemeal” jobs together.

 

Wimmer also questioned how the road tour can be considered a public meeting without renting a large bus. Clerk Lucinda Messman responded, saying that Minnesota Association of Townships has recommended that if someone has an issue with their road,  the board is required to use a cell phone to contact the individual prior to arrival so meeting and decision regarding that particular section of road can happen with those concerned being present.

 

Supervisor Gary Hammer said that the supervisors try to cover all the roads at least once per year, as that is part of their duty. Only if a road is known to be in good condition is it not viewed. Hammer went on to explain that the township has added fall road tours as it is a “good time to evaluate for brushing and look for things that need attention, check for damage and various items people call in for.”

 

It was noted it is also a time to evaluate for road projects in the spring.

 

Another resident, Mark Swartzkof, asked about the possibility of a flashing LED sign for his neighborhood or additional speed limit signs to slow people down. 

 

Township Engineer Terrance VanderEyk sees there is no need for that at this time. As far as flashing signs, MUTD says that flashing beacons are for school zones, not township roads. Discussion turned to the possibility of flashing signs at 185th and Co. Rd. 4, but the board is not at that point yet.

 

The board opened  a public hearing for building code ordinance revisions which includes the adopting the state building codes, construction licensing, permits and regulation.

 

Planner Chris Hedin reviewed all changes with board members.

 

Community Development Coordinator Marie Pflipsen distributed a staff memo in regards to history of the state ordinance opting out of temporary healthcare dwellings.Pflipsen said it is staff’s recommendation to opt out at this time, but knowing that if this is a need in the future, the board can create their own ordinance. 

 

Wimmer said that Sherburne County opted out of this ordinance and he feels that the Becker Town Board should as well.

 

After further discussion and a mention that nearly every city and county in the state is opting out, the board voted in that favor.

 

Larry Gallus, representing the Sherburne County Snowmobile Association, said he has a concern regarding the $1.5 million dollar liability coverage the township was requiring of his organization. 

 

Gallus said the state law changed five years ago the amount of coverage they are required to carry to $1 million dollars. He said this renews every year and he has no problem making sure Clerk Messman receives a copy of the certificate of insurance. 

 

Attorney Kelli Bourgeois advised the board that the $1.5 million had indeed passed resolution and is the torte liability limit. She said, however, recreational vehicles are exempt and for the board to change to a $1 million dollar liability, they would need to make a motion to change the resolution to reflect the lesser amount.

 

Gallus added that the DNR sponsors the trails and they also carry a $1 million dollar liability policy, so the township would be covered by adding the two together.

 

A motion was presented by Hammer to amend the earlier passed resolution to change the liability limit to $1,000,000 rather than $1.5 million by Hammer. Second by Johnson.

 

Gallus asked if the town board would like maps of these trails and they said they would. 

 

Town Planning Commission/Joint Planning Board

A couple updates and amendments for general rural and flood plains management sections of the zoning ordinance was recommended to the joint planning board. 

 

Several residents were at the town planning commission meeting recently and asked the board to amend their CUP’s that were issued by Sherburne County that are now legal and nonconforming.

 

The residents were told they could not expand their businesses at the current locations. One is in an area that is now surrounded by single family homes.

 

A Personal Storage Structure CUP was recommended by the planning commission and goes to the joint planning board for final action at their next meeting.

 

Eyk said the Corps of Engineers has now sent a draft letter of approval for the 185th Ave. project.

 

The  plan was to let bids Oct. 10 with a special meeting. Construction was set to commence within 10 days from that date.

 

Eyk said approved plans arrived in the mail for 137th Street and bids were let Oct. 10 with a plan to get going as soon as possible on the project. Eyk said MnDOT is concerned about finishing up the project prior to Nov. 15.

 

The original road order for 67th Street had a plat completed years later that did not show the road. Eyk says the property owner wants to build a shed and setbacks cannot be met with road in place.

 

Eyk recommends the township to vacate the road through the official process since this is a township line road.

 

The township supervisors planned to look at road at their fall road tour and make decisions then.

 

Eyk said 185th Street has a sinkhole and he suggested sawcutting a 10’x10’ portion to investigate why the void is under the road. Eyk said the problem keeps reappearing and the contractor said patching is cheaper than maintaining a dirt spot.

 

Last fall, Eyk said   there was no indication of the problem/failure but  something is occurring in  the sub-grade, though he’s not sure what it is.

 

The township supervisors planned to review the issue on the road tour and decide what to do. 

 

Eyk said a there is a dip in the pavement at 173rd and 169th. His opinion is that the 18” dip is a localized failure due to lack of compaction in the sub-grade. He says a ledge patch may fix it since there is only the one dip.

 

The board approved Becker Township entering into an agreement with MnDOT to provide for the sharing of state costs for the grading and paving construction and other associated costs performed along Hwy. 10  to 137th St. SE.

 

Supervisor Hammer said all is going well with the fire board. They reported 45 calls for service in August. Hammer also said the tanker truck is in the process of being built with the desired options.

 

Supervisor Joe Danielson said the parks and trails and active living boards will hold a meeting in October.

 

The general maintenance contract needs to be redone  and the board was asked how to operate it in good framework. 

 

The board reviewed the data pulled by Clerk Messman to see how expenses are going.

 

It was mentioned that the township continues to grow while miles of road have increased, therefore general maintenance expenses are increasing.

 

Attorney Bourgeois said contracts for over $25,000 require two quotes if at all possible by statute.

 

Messman was directed to contact MAT to see what type of contract forms they recommend and bring it to next meeting.

 

Clerk Messman requested the board approve pay rates for a deputy clerk. She mentioned the current deputy clerk, Kris Hammer is resigning and Fran Seeley is to be appointed. 

 

A motion by Hammer to approve the hiring of the deputy clerk for 4-6 hours per week (more hours during elections) and an hourly rate of pay and meeting rate of pay to be the same as that of the clerk and treasurer.

Motion approved.

 

The board members expect the deputy clerk to be trained in all aspects of the clerk position. 

 

The Sherburne County Sheriff’s Dept. recorded 196 calls for service in August with 69 being traffic stops, three calls for loud music in association with underage consumption (Sherburne County does have a social host ordinance) and traffic monitoring for north-bound Co. Rd. 50 is still ongoing. High speed in August was 90 m.p.h. 

 

The next board meeting is Nov. 21 at 7 p.m.