A public hearing, changes to city zoning codes and support for a gas plant placement bill established by Rep. Jim Newberger were all part of the agenda at Tuesday’s Becker City Council meeting.

 

Rep. Newberger and Sen. Andrew Mathews sponsored legislation to build a gas power plant in Becker. Newberger appeared before the House Job Growth and Energy Affordability Policy and Finance Committee Tuesday to explain how he plans to create a policy compelling the PUC to implement it.

 

Newberger and Mathews have been asking cities and counties affected by the Sherco situation to champion resolutions and letters of support. Newberger believes these letters of support will be a critical part of establishing bipartisan support in the House and Senate and thus getting these bills passed.

 

The City of Becker adopted a resolution showing their support of Newberger and Mathews’ bill.

 

A public hearing was held to consider changes to the 2017 fee schedule for Pebble Creek Golf Course.

 

Councilmember Todd Hanrahan recently led a discussion on season pass rates for the upcoming season at Pebble Creek. Hanrahan proposed adding a senior season pass, resident season pass and also to allow pass holders to make payments on their season passes.

 

At an earlier executive session workshop, there was consensus to bring forward some changes in the fee structure approved at a previous council meeting.

 

Hanrahan believes the budget impact will be positive for season pass revenue as he demonstrated in  committee and council discussions. Expenses, he said, should not be materially impacted by the proposed pricing changes.

 

One point Hanrahan wanted to clarify is that anybody who purchases an unlimited season pass this season will be given the resident rate. He went on to say they will be “grandfathered in” each year they renew their pass to continue to receive the resident rate. 

 

“We will not sell any non-resident passes this year as everybody gets to take advantage of this season’s pass promotion,” he said.

 

The items added to the fee schedule proposed by Hanrahan include:

 

• Season pass (valid Mon. - Thurs.) $500 for an individual and $250 for adding a spouse;

 

• For resident season passes (unlimited), $1,500 for a family, $1,000 for an individual, $250 for adding a spouse, $100 for adding a dependent and $20 for juniors.

 

The golf committee was split on the proposed rate structure with half in support and half wanted more time to analyze.

 

The ordinance was approved.

 

 

Pflipsen said the planning commission began discussions on potential amendment changes in 2015 and early 2016 with the previous community development director Therese Hafner. One section highlighted for changes included the minimum parking requirements. Since ordinance amendments require a public hearing, one was called for by Pflipsen for the Feb. 7 meeting.

 

The next Becker City Council meeting is Feb. 7 at 6 p.m.