A land use amendment, a transportation resolution, an award, a PKS Day proclamation and two public hearings were all part of Tuesday’s agenda for the Becker City Council at city hall.
PKS Proclamation
Mayor Lefty Kleis read aloud a document proclaiming Dec. 4 as Pallister-Killian Syndrome (PKS) Day in the City of Becker. PKS is a rare genetic disorder that has been diagnosed in fewer than 200 cases throughout the world — with one case being right in the backyard of Becker.
Nicole Schmidt was invited to the podium to talk about the disorder and explain what her role is in the PKS Kids program for Minnesota. Nicole and her husband, Paul, have an 11-year-old son, Andrew, who suffers from the syndrome.
Schmidt explained the disorder results from the duplication of the short arm “p” on chromosome 12, occurring at conception with no known cause. Children with this syndrome suffer low muscle tone, seizures, global involvement resulting in severe to profound developmental delays and hearing and vision loss.
Five years ago, Schmidt got the governor of Minnesota to declare Dec. 4 of every year as PKS Awareness Day in the state and her efforts — along with PKS families in Missouri, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan — have helped educate, support and make aware the syndrome so a cure can be found.
Schmidt also mentioned she is holding a PKS awareness event at Lupulin Brewery in Big Lake Dec. 4 from 5-10 p.m. There will be live music, raffles, trivia and opportunities to sponsor a PKS child for special presents all the while enjoying Lupulin’s fine craft beer.
BPD Award
Bob Tirevold, a state law enforcement liaison, appeared before council to recognize the Becker Police Dept. as one of eight outstanding agencies in the state by the Dept. of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety for their efforts with the Toward Zero Death (TZD) program.
TZD — formerly known as the Safe and Sober program — is a program with a similar focus to provide additional monies to law enforcement agencies to allow for additional enforcement efforts for traffic safety to include distracted driving enforcement, DUI enforcement, seatbelt enforcement, among others.
On a quarterly basis, law enforcement liaisons nominate two agencies in their region based on enforcement activity, reporting and community education and outreach efforts.
During the third quarter wave, Becker Police provided significant enforcement by accomplishing over 90% of their TZD shifts with only five eligible officers. They also made several DWI arrests and assisted with life threatening injuries during traffic accidents. Tirevold said Chief Baloun and his Becker officers also speak with the soon-to-be licensed teenage drivers numerous times throughout the year at Becker High School and the local driving school.
Tirevold invited Police Chief Brent Baloun and Officer Chris Lindbloom (latest BPD coordinator) to the front and awarded the two with a state-of-the-art radar detector unit to be used in one of their squad cars.
Land Use Amendment
For the second meeting in a row, a Chapter 11, Land Use Regulations Amendment was presented to council for consideration in regards to an expansion of a legal, non-conforming business in the City of Becker.
Two weeks ago, the issue was tabled to accrue more information and have further discussions to consider making the amendment. The property owner currently owns a storage garage and their request was to add on to the property by building two additional structures.
City Panner Therese Haffner outlined the proposed zoning ordinance amendment and gave background on the case and an analysis. She told council that the planning commission reviewed the request and they recommended denying it with Haffner concurring. Haffner said she thinks by allowing this expansion, it will open the door to allow for further expansions for other legal, non-conforming businesses.
After further discussion by council, Mayor Kleis motioned to accept the ordinance amendment, citing he’d like to do all he can to retain businesses in Becker and help them grow rather than deny them the opportunity.
No one from council seconded Kleis’ motion so the amendment failed.
Transportation Resolution
Also at the last council meeting, Clerk Julie Blesi brought forth a resolution to support dedicated funding for city streets — but that resolution included support for an omnibus transportation bill.
Council Member Rick Hendrickson said he’d prefer to have the resolution not include an omnibus support and Blesi returned this week with an amended resolution showing the removal of support for the omnibus transportation bill.
Council approved unanimously.
Public Hearings
In the first public hearing of the night, Treasurer Sarah Brunn presented council with a list of current unpaid water and sewer bills (77 properties) totalling nearly $19,000. For those unable to pay their bills by this week, the charges will be certified to the county to be collected in next year’s property taxes.
The second public hearing was in reference to unpaid weed/grass charges.
Brunn said seven properties had yet to pay up their bills with the fees totalling $775. The property owners had until this week to pay up their bills or the charges will be assessed to their property taxes for 2016.
Citizen Wilbur Lemon spoke during the public hearing saying he was charged for not mowing around a post in the easement of his property. Lemon said he felt it wasn’t his duty to mess with the grassy area around the sign and had paperwork from the county to back up his claim.
After Brunn looked up Lemon’s address on the unpaid list and didn’t find his property on there, Clerk Blesi said the charge was removed from the list and will not have to be paid.
Mayor Kleis asked if the city could get copies of the paperwork Lemon received from the county and he said, ‘yes”. Kleis said the city will look into the situation and get back to Wilbur with a response.
Other News
• Mayor Kleis congratulated the Becker High School football team for their state championship title;
• Becker Police Officer Jason Lawson was congratulated for landing a new job in Texas and council thanked him for his service to the City of Becker.
Up Next
The next Becker City Council meeting is Dec. 1 at 5 p.m.