Outgoing Mayor Jerome “Lefty” Kleis and former Councilman Adam Oliver were honored during Tuesday’s Becker City Council meeting.

 

Councilman Rick Hendrickson spoke on behalf of the council and the City of Becker in handing out certificates of appreciation to Kleis and Oliver for their time serving the city.

 

Kleis was handed his certificate at the meeting while Hendrickson promised to get Oliver’s document, since he was not in attendance.

 

Oliver resigned his position in May due to health issues with his wife and Kleis was defeated in November by Tracy Bertram in his run for a second term as mayor.

 

Assistant Finance Director Connie Robinson presented the 2017 general fund budget and levy and asked council to approve a resolution setting the levy to be certified with the county.

 

For the general fund, Robinson gave a summary indicating the general government (city council, administrator, city clerk, professional services, planning) expenditures was estimated at around $1.04 million. Public works at around $1.08 million, parks & recreation at $240,000 and public safety at $871,443.

 

For the city’s special revenue fund expenditures, the community center was estimated at $1.16 million, fire department at $474,500 and EDA at $115,955.

 

Robinson said there is a $1.9 million capital improvement plan levy and the enterprise fund expenses for water/wastewater (domestic and industrial) was at $2.72 million and golf operations, maintenance, food and beverage was at $1.48 million.

 

Robinson said the 2017 proposed levy creates a change in the tax rate from 36.393% to 39.772% (an 8.5% increase in the tax rate). The 2017 budget also includes a direct capital levy to the revolving capital funds rather than a transfer at year end.

 

 

Council approved the general fund budget and levy in a 4-1 vote with Mayor Kleis voting “no” because he disagrees with the golf course budget.

 

The EDA budget and levy passed unanimously.

 

Robinson asked council to adopt the final 2017 budget for the Becker water, domestic sewer, industrial sewer and golf enterprise funds.

 

The water fund showed a $604,532 revenue estimate and $688,250 in expenses. The domestic sewer fund shows a $679,195 revenue estimate and  $1,110,150 in expenses.

 

The industrial sewer fund shows a revenue of $659,550 and expenses at $916,625.

 

The golf fund shows revenues at $1,325,100 with expenses at $1,475,613.

 

Council approved the enterprise fund budgets in a 4-1 vote with Mayor Kleis voting “no” because of the golf course.

 

Clerk Julie Blesi presented an update fee schedule for 2017 with proposed changes that included and addition of administrative citations, addition of a towing fee, a failure to pull permit penalty fee, addition of testing fee to utility related fees, utility rate increases, an adjustment to the family swim non-resident fee, adjustments to the community center membership fees and parking rental fees and changes to the golf course fees.

 

Blesi asked council to approve the fee schedule for 2017 and also approve an ordinance for publication purposes. Council approved.

 

City Administrator Greg Pruszinske brought forth a resolution asking council to approve the purchase of a new squad car for the Becker PD from the State of Minnesota contract.

 

Brent Baloun was absent from Tuesday’s proceedings.

 

Pruszinske said the BPD had a budget in place for 2017 for replacement of their old Crown Victoria squad car but the city wanted to make the purchase yet this year to take advantage of a $1,000 cut in the cost from this year to next.

 

Pruszinske  said the current budget of $33,000 is well under the estimated quote of $28,040.95 that would include the vehicle as well as the options of same key entry, vinyl flooring (not carpet), LED spotlight, rear doors inaccessibility, and lighting and wiring additions/deletions. The department will still need to purchase graphics, pull equipment from old car and install in new car, add some additional lighting and install a new gun lock. If additional money remains a new laptop is possible.

 

Jamie Cassidy received two quotes from reputable installers for putting new carpet in the Becker GRRL. Cassidy said he has $25,000 designated for the flooring in the BCC revolving capital fund and with the low quote, the project can be completed for under $23,000 by MCI Carpet One.

 

The work is scheduled to happen between Jan. 3 and Jan. 16 with the library being closed from Jan. 6 through Jan. 17.

 

Joe Danielson of Public Works asked council to approve the purchase of a new snow plow truck for his department.

 

Danielson said he has $225,500 budgeted in the PW capital improvement plan and he plans to try and sell or auction the 2000 Sterling plow truck next summer or fall. The estimated total for the new plow truck and equipment installed comes in at around $230,252.

 

Danielson said he expects to get at least $15,000 for the old plow truck at auction or through a private buyer.

 

The next Becker City Council meeting is Jan. 3 at 6 p.m. where Bertram will be sworn in as mayor and Todd Hanrahan and Mike Doering sworn-in as council members.