The Becker Twp. Board met Monday evening and continued to take actions in response to Xcel Energy’s solar farm proposal, which would encompass 3,479 acres of land in Sherburne County.

The board held a public hearing at the meeting to discuss amendments to the township’s Comprehensive Plan to designate important transportation routes through the sections of affected land.

No one from the public appeared to speak at the hearing, but the supervisors discussed the importance of the roadway connections.

The proposed amendments included the establishment of a connection between 149th and 137th Streets and outlined the goals and strategies to be able to accomplish the project.

All five supervisors voted in favor of adopting the amendments into the Comp Plan.

PUC Visit

In related news, the township announced that they had received notice of public information and environmental assessment scoping meetings to be held in Becker by the Public Utilities Commission and the MN Dept. of Commerce in the near future.

An in-person meeting will be held at Becker High School at 6 p.m. on August 31, while a remote access option will be provided on September 1 at 6 p.m.

The written comment period for Xcel’s proposal is open until September 15 at 4:30 p.m.

According to the press release from the PUC, the purpose of the meeting is to “inform the public about the proposed project, the state’s permitting process, and to obtain public input on the project.”

In response to the solar farm, Supervisor Robin Boros again asked the board if there was anything they can do to ensure that decommissioning funds and rules are established for the project.

The board agreed that it was an important part of the proposal, but Chair Brian Kolbinger reiterated that the township has heard nothing in regard to this part of the project.

Township Attorney Kelli Bourgeois weighed in on the issue, noting that the board can request that the state puts these stipulations into the agreement for the both the company and the landowners, but the township has no authority to mandate anything in the matter.

She noted that in a typical Conditional Use Permit, the township would set these conditions but the Public Utility Commission has control over these matters in this case and hopefully that is something they will include if they rule in favor of the project. 

Liquor License

The board approved a liquor license related to the sale of The Hideout restaurant, which will now be named Bar 10.

New owner Ather Jameel was at the meeting to introduce himself and invite the supervisors to visit his establishment in the future. In addition to the name change, Jameel also announced that the cuisine at the establishment would move to a more traditional American menu instead of the current Jamaican influence. 

Engineer’s Report

Engineer Wes Davis provided several updates to the board, including the progress of the reclamation project on 142nd St. Both the base course and the wear course are slated for installation this week, with the replacement of a concrete driveway apron also receiving approval from the board.

Several other projects are in the planning stages so they are ready once weather allows for construction in early 2022.

TS Dirtworks was approved as the low bidder for the Salida Crossing project, as long as Davis reviews the specifications and ensures the quantities as outlined in the bidding process.

Sheriff’s Report

Sgt. Dan Frank reported to the board on the 179 calls for service from July, which included 67 traffic stops. The sheriff’s office continues to participate in grant programs to address speeding on rural roadways and will do so for the foreseeable future.

Frank also provided an update on the partnership between the SCSO and a central Minnesota mental health provider in providing a mental health worker to do ride alongs with law enforcement. The program is not a substitute for law enforcement, but provides an additional component of helping individuals access mental health services as needed.

Frank reported several success stories for the recently initiated program and shared the receipt of positive feedback from the affected individuals.

In Other Business, the Board:

• Approved a drainage easement for Jeff Anderson for the location of his septic tank and drain field;

• Approved favorable recommendation for a variance request for Janet and Curtis Proehl for their property at Carefree Country Club;

• Approved an Interim Use Permit for a homeowner in the Snake River subdivision to reside in their camper while the construction of their new home is finished (The septic system has been installed and is operational and the planning commission had recommended the approval of the IUP);

• Heard from Supervisor Luke Babler regarding donations to the Becker Fire Dept. in the amounts of $7,000 from the Becker Lions and $20 from Iced T’s;

• Set the date for the annual road tour to be held on September 17 at 7:30 a.m.;

• Acknowledged the receipt of the first half of the township’s ARPA funds in the amount of $289,000.