It was a typical agenda heavy with roads and land use for the Becker Twp. Board as they met Monday evening for the May meeting.

Several residents appeared before the board with variance requests, while the board also continues to wrestle with solutions to 67th Street and landlocked parcels throughout the township. A proposed solar farm project also presents a looming deadline for the supervisors as they plan for future land use along the Hwy. 10 corridor.

Zoning

Tom Zerwas, who lives on 143rd Ave., was at the meeting to request an easement for encroaching into the front yard setback in order to install a new septic system.  In order to keep out of the 100 year flood plain and also keep a safe distance from his well, the only suitable location for the septic would be in the front yard near the drainage and utility easement.  The system itself would not encroach in the area, but some of the dirt work and slope would be done in this area, thus necessitating the agreement.  Because of the unique nature of his property, the supervisors approved the plan.

Mark Waytashek also appeared before the board with a request for a one foot variance for his 30x40 accessory structure being built in the Enchanted Thicket development.  After reviewing the request, the board felt the structure itself should remain outside the easement area, but the grading and leveling work could encroach into the area without the need for any additional permissions.

John Groethe next brought forward an issue for his landlocked parcel and was looking to use an established easement to access his property located near 67th Street and 190th Ave.

Because the easement is not an accepted roadway, the township is not required to build the road but is able to allow the easement’s use to access the property.  Groethe will put together an agreement to hold the township harmless during the construction of the driveway and will pay for all of the improvements himself and, once completed, attorney Kelli Bourgeois will review it and forward to the supervisors for approval.

Bourgeois and Planner Ben Wikstrom also updated the board on the progress being made in the area of language to deal with landlocked parcels throughout the township.  While there is no easy fix for all of the different scenarios, there is a plan in place to start developing some interim guidance for the township to follow while long-term solutions are explored.

Because the township has been exploring the issue and possible ordinance amendments, Clerk Lucinda Messman noted that she has been receiving many comments in regards to this issue.  She noted that the input from residents is “all over the board” and doesn’t seem to follow one pattern of thinking.

67th St.

For many months, the supervisors have been planning for repairs to 67th Street, a shared roadway with Santiago township.  A reclamation project was in the works, but supervisors decide to wait until soil borings could be done in the area to look at the road bed and find out what underlying issues seems to be the cause of the road deterioration.

Borings done in the area indicate that the peat dirt materials start at four feet below the surface and run down as far as 12 feet, thus creating a very unstable base foundation for the roadway.  Because of the issue, the supervisors unanimously approved a halt to the project and removing it from the county’s road bid.  Instead, a meeting will be planned again with Santiago township to explore another option for addressing the western portion of the road.

Likewise, the board approved a temporary pause on proposed work on the 164th project and an alternate timing for asphalt installation to try and avoid the timing with heavy equipment being hauled on the new roadway.  This project was also removed from the county road bid.

Solar

Bourgeois is also serving an instrumental role for the township as they try to respond to an expedited timeline governing the proposed solar farm development which would have serious ramifications for future development south of Hwy. 10.

The Solar Comment for Period #2 deadline was Tuesday afternoon at 4:30 so Bourgeois spoke with the supervisors about the letter she is composing to communicate the specific concerns the township has in the areas of transportation and commerce connections, public safety and the fact that the tract of land encompasses a large portion of the future economic development expansion area.

“The expedited timeline allows very little time for the Township to be involved in the process,” Bourgeois said.

The plan was for the letter to be shared with Messman on Tuesday and the supervisors would have a chance to review it and still meet ehe submission deadline in the afternoon.

Sheriff’s Report

Sgt. Dan Frank from the SCSO reported on last month’s 171 calls for service, which included many traffic stops and some reports of unemployment fraud.  Area residents continue to deal with the unemployment issue, as they receive information indicating they have signed up for unemployment benefits even though they have not made application.  Frank encouraged any residents who suspect they might be affected to contact the Sheriff’s Office or the State of MN unemployment program directly.

He also reported that residents may see additional patrols in the coming weeks as part of speeding enforcement for the TZD, or Towards Zero Deaths grant program.

In Other Business, The Board:

• Heard a request from the organizers of the 2nd Amendment Defender Rally for representation at the May 22 event to be held at the Government Center.  Supervisor Luke Babler will be in the area and agreed to make an appearance in support of the group;

• Heard from Babler that the Clear Lake Lions have donated $10,000 to the Becker Fire Department for equipment needs;

• Learned that the pre-construction meeting for Georgia Circle and Garden Grove road will happen in the coming weeks;

• Learned that the CMRP will have a June 24 goal to adopt the Framework 2030 plan;

• Approved road supervisors Boros and Danielson to time dust control efforts on roadways as soon as sufficient moisture allows for it to be successful;

• Discussed a school bus stop sign for 97th Street and concluded that the area is within the City of Becker boundaries and is therefore their responsibility;

• Discussed several improvements being made at Town Hall, including a concrete pad and pavers in the boulevard area;

• Heard from Babler in regards to plans for the 150th year celebration which will coincide with Freedom Days;

• Opted to go out for bids for the General Maintenance and Snowplow contracts for the next two years with a goal to open the bids at the July meeting;

• Adopted the credit card policy and made minor revisions and typo corrections to the capital assets policy.