Mayor Bertram and the full city council met on Tuesday, May 7. Much of the council’s early focus was on the recently completed audit of the city’s finances.
2023 Audit
Andy Berg from Abdo, a licensed CPA firm with offices in Minneapolis and Mankato, MN, and Scottsdale AZ, shared highlights from the results of the audit. Berg explained that overall, Becker received an issued opinion of unmodified or clean opinion, which is the best opinion a city can receive.
Abdo also reviewed the city’s financial controls and it’s effectiveness. Though no opinion would be issued, no issues or concerns came up, so no findings were reported. Abdo also checks for Minnesota legal compliance, testing several areas - from cash and investments, to debt contract, and bidding. Berg reported that no legal compliance issues were discovered. Noting the General Fund to Budget, Berg noted that the city’s done a good job maintaining the general fund with the increasing budget.
Public Hearings
Hearings were held to give the public the opportunity to speak on two issues. The first was Resolution 24-36 – easement vacations for the upcoming expansion of Bill’s Family Foods and the second concerning City Fees.
Grant Rademacher, President of Rademacher Companies, Inc., was on hand, but did not speak at the hearing. No one spoke, the hearing was closed and the council voted and passed Resolution 24-36, allowing for the expansion of Bill’s Family Foods to proceed.
Once the second hearing was closed, the council also voted and approved the amendment of the fee schedule. The changes would help the city recoup the cost of using outside consultant services for industrial/commercial permit reviews and submittals.
Other News
Phil Knutson, Public Service Advisor, presented plans to resurface Liberty Lane (from Hwy 10 to Sherburne Ave), Elk Wynn development, Fossum Fields development, Pebble Creek Parking lot, and lift station 15 pavement. The city would use a technique call “microsurfacing”, which according to Knutson, should extend the life of the pavement by 25 years. Also, Knutson explained that by adding Pebble Creek to the project, the city would save $15,000.
The resolution was passed. Details about the project and how it will affect traffic will be posted on the city’s website and Facebook site. The microsurfacing project will begin in July this year.
Lastly, the Council also recognized the service of the following individuals – Phil Knutson (five years), Greg Lerud, two years, Kristen Heins (six years), and Derek Rhodes (three years).
