The Becker Twp. Board met Monday evening and adopted several policies that will help drive their ongoing efforts in focusing on transportation issues.
Engineer Wes Davis presented a draft of the Capital Improvement Plan, noting that he has worked closely with Clerk Lucinda Messman to merge the data on current conditions of the roadways with the township’s road maintenance budget in an effort to create a path moving forward.
Because the township finished a road inventory this year, Davis is now able to put forth recommendations that will not only increase the quality of roadways within the township, but will also prioritize maintenance of both asphalt and gravel roads to help maximize budgetary allocations.
Davis reviewed the priority projects for the next four years, while leaving plenty of flexibility for the supervisors to mix and match projects to fit within their expected budget, which included some inflationary increases.
The township will have the option to partner with Sherburne County in order to gain a competitive advantage in bidding the projects, but can also seek favorable bids on their own by having plans and specifications ready by the end of February.
It was decided that road supervisors Joe Danielson and Robin Boros will meet with Davis over the next two weeks in order to have a proposal for the entire board to act upon in January. One of the items to be figured out is the proposed roadway in the Salida Crossing development, as there are several right of way and easement issues to be worked out with surrounding landowners. Danielson noted that he has been in contact with one property owner, who has indicated a willingness to work with the township to ensure the best possible layout for the road.
Davis next presented an idea to the board to apply for a MnDOT grant for local roadway reconstruction and improvements for routes that have a regional significance. Becker could be in line for as much as $1.3 million in funding should the grants be approved.
The board directed Davis to bring cost estimates for the grant proposal to the January meeting for the two roads he is proposing, 97th St. and 109th St. Both have high average daily traffic counts for residential roads because they each are used as a cut-across to reach main traffic arteries. Grant funds are good for materials only and do not cover the engineering and other associated costs.
In a road related issue, Boros sought feedback from the board pertaining to a drainage issue on 168th St. The issue has been brought before the board in the past, with several fixes attempted. Long range planning indicates that the best solution might be to use the current easement the township holds to construct the roadway to the north, past the current cul de sac, but there are no current plans to do so, as a 2016 estimate indicated the construction cost to be in excess of $100,000. The board will do some additional research into the easements and right of ways they currently hold in the area before any final decisions are made.
Capital Asset Policy
Messman next presented the board with a draft of the Capital Asset Policy, which brings all of the township’s assets under one report for the purpose of tracking its investment in infrastructure and considering its related debt.
It continues the current approach of the township in regards to depreciation of its assets, as well as allows the board to develop management plans to ensure roads are in good condition.
After a brief discussion, the board adopted the policy which will track any township asset of at least $5,000 in value.
Fire Board
Supervisor Luke Babler indicated that the new truck was ordered and is expected to be delivered around February 1, while most of the equipment purchased with CARES Act dollars has also arrived. The two exceptions are the coveralls and the turnout gear, both of which will arrive soon but were plagued with production delays as many departments across the nation utilized grant funds to update this necessary gear.
The board also adopted the MOU with the joint powers fire board regarding the Relief Association. With the new agreement, Becker Twp. now has a dedicated member on the relief association ratification group, allowing a more direct oversight of the ratified benefit amount received by retiring firefighters.
Historic Registry
The board discussed a proposal to add the Becker Twp. Hall to the national Historic Building Registry. The Sherburne History Center is willing to help the township submit the application, which would give the building protected status. It would be the first such designation within Becker and the process can take up to one year. Another option is to hire a grant writer to submit the paperwork, but the board chose to have Messman work with the Historical Society in order to keep the costs lower.
Legal Agreements
Attorney Kelli Bourgeois reviewed the broadband franchise agreements with the board, as there are two current ones pending with the township. She is hopeful that the township can adopt the same agreement with each company in order to keep things equal and not lend favor to one business over the other. This model agreement could then become the standard used by the township. Because of past issues with some of the contractors working on the installation of the fiber optic cabling, there will be some clauses in the agreement that will ensure each contractor meets minimum standards, as well as some enforcement language to garner compliance.
Bourgeois next informed the board of her progress on the solar garden information, as the township has received some correspondence from Xcel Energy regarding their future intentions. Because no specifics have been received from Xcel, the next questions that need to be answered are the zoning status of the proposed site, as well as the size and scope of the project.
In Other Business, The Board:
• Approved payment to Sherburne County for the final payment on 185th avenue;
• Heard from Sgt. Dan Frank regarding the 116 calls for service in the last period. This included 24 traffic stops;
• Learned from chair Brian Kolbinger that the CMRP plans to re-do some of the stakeholder input process because of a lack of participation this year due to covid;
• Signed an agreement with the local snowmobile association for the use of some township road right of ways;
• Approved $3,000 for the establishment of native plantings within the township owned cul de sacs within Woodberry Farms. Prairie Restorations will do the work and install signage in the area;
• Reviewed the statewide CARES Act expenditure list, including Becker township’s $384,259 in spending;
• Appointed chair Brian Kolbinger and resident Frank Kasowski to the Planning Commission;
• Approved the Becker Legion property as the polling location for the 2021 election;
• Discussed the terms of Kolbinger and Danielson, as they both expire in 2021. Filing for the seats will open on Dec. 29.
