The Becker Twp. Board met Monday evening with township maintenance and land use just two of several topics on the agenda.

Several months ago the board advertised for general maintenance and snow removal contracts, and Supervisor Brad Wilkening opened the sealed bids, giving details of the services and proposed costs.  Both categories received one bid apiece, both from Wruck Excavating, and the board unanimously approved their adoption, pending review by the road supervisors.

Wilkening also updated the board on the Planning Commission efforts to amend the township’s Comprehensive Plan for portions of the land that has been identified by Xcel Energy for their solar project.  The board had been looking at the area long before the proposed solar farm and had identified transportation needs in the area; therefore, it was felt formal action should be taken to include the concept in the plan.  Planner Ben Wikstrom was tasked with setting up the process, which will likely include a public hearing.

As part of the discussion, Supervisor Robin Boros posed several questions about the proposed land use, including potential contamination from the solar panels, as well as what role the DNR and MN Pollution Control will play in the process.  Boros noted that when other industry has been located in the area, both entities were heavily involved and yet with solar, there seems to be some uncertainty surrounding the process.

Chair Brian Kolbinger noted that based on the board’s past meetings with Xcel, they made it quite clear that the MN Public Utilities Commission has all of the authority over the matter.

“Our zoning doesn’t matter,” Kolbinger said, referring to the message that was received. However, Kolbinger felt it would be prudent for the township to be vocal in inquiring about how the solar farms would eventually be decommissioned.  

Since the PUC seemingly has the ultimate authority and doesn’t have to follow the township’s wishes or concerns, Kolbinger mused that one can only hope the potential issues such as contamination have been reviewed by the state before the PUC acts on Cel’s proposal.

“Because it’s permitted through the PUC, it removes us (the township),” WIlkening added.  He suggested that making sure the twp. Comp Plan is updated would be the best chance the township has for input into any decisions being made at the state level.

Engineer’s Report

Wes Davis updated the board on several items, including the 164th drainage easement as well as the efforts on 67th Street.

Boros and Supervisor Joe Danielson attended the Santiago Twp. Meeting last week and indicated that it was agreed it was time to go out for bids for the reclamation and paving project on the western portion 67th Street.  Davis was charged with putting together the necessary documents, which can then be reviewed and let for bids.

As part of the discussion of roadways, the board also felt it was time to schedule another road tour for the entire board.  This will give the supervisors a chance to view all the roads and use that data in setting their budget recommendations for the upcoming cycle.  Because Clerk Lucinda Messman was not in attendance at the meeting, the board will wait for her return before scheduling the date.

Sheriff

Sgt. Dan Frank reported on 166 calls for service for the month of June, including 50 traffic stops.  He reported on the Towards Zero Deaths (TZD) grant program and noted that speed enforcement will be a major focus of area law enforcement throughout the coming weeks.

He also provided an update on the issue of an area driver who has been “spinning donuts” and damaging area roadways.  The perpetrator was caught in the act by one of the SCSO deputies and a citation for careless driving was issued.

In Other Business, The Board:

• Received notification of a Night to Unite event scheduled for 173rd Ave. and approved the residents using the dead end roadway for the gathering.  A township official will try to be in attendance;

• Directed Clerk Lucinda Messman to apply for the ARPA funding as soon as it is recommended by the MN Township’s Association;

• Passed a resolution acknowledging the end of Minnesota’s State of Emergency related to the covid pandemic.  This means that while the township will continue to broadcast their meetings on Zoom, supervisors will need to physically be in attendance except for the narrow exceptions that existed before the pandemic;

• Held a joint meeting with CIty of Becker officials to approve the Joint Powers Fire Board recommended budget.