The Becker City Council met Tuesday and discussed street projects, water tower painting, an update to the social media policy and issuing an RFP for a building inspector.

 

Joe Danielson of Becker and Randy Sabart of SEH said bids were opened June 19 for the 2017 streets improvements project which includes a base bid and four alternate projects totaling $1.4 million.

 

The base bid project includes Gardner, Morris, Donnelly, Ramsey and 2nd (west of Hancock) in the amount of $391,597.

 

Alternate A includes Willow, Rye, Oak, Pleasant, Pine, Lee, Field and 2nd (west of Sherburne Ave.) in the amount of $518,801.

 

Alternate B includes the community center parking lot in the amount of $115,238.50; Alternate C includes the public works east lot in the amount of $136,736.50 and Alternate D includes the T-Town parking lot in the amount of $299,938.

 

Treasurer Connie Robinson said the city can cover the projects from the streets fund and from the future improvements fund. Mike Doering voted to approve the projects including all the alternates and was seconded by Lori Keller.

 

Dave Pesola said the Autumn Ridge water tower has some areas where the paint has deteriorated on the exterior and interior of the lower storage tank. He said SEH has inspected the tower and provided a report on areas which need attention. 

 

After reviewing the SEH report, Pesola and staff have identified the most immediate needs of the tower and estimated that those repairs would cost less than $100,000. However, after receiving three quotes for the work, Pesola says the cost was higher than expected. Staff decided to  re the pipe vault work quote from the project scope, resulting in the lowest quote to be under $100,000.

 

“Taking care of the immediate needs of the tower will postpone the need for a major tower renovation by six to 10 years,” Pesola said. 

 

Central Tank Coatings, Inc. has been the contractor doing the work on the city's other two water towers in recent years, and has provided the lowest quote for the identified areas in need of refurbishment in the amount of $94,750.

 

Pesola said staff has budgeted $ 125,000 as a 2017 water supply capital expenditure for the Autumn Ridge water tower work.

 

Clerk Julie Blesi presented a proposed social media policy council had discussed at their last executive session workshop. 

 

In the policy in Section II, A — council suggested  striking the “Mayor” as the authorized spokesperson for the city and adding "or designee" following the city administrator to bring it in line with the emergency response policy.

 

In Section II, E - the change was to strike "Facebook is an approved social media forum.” And changing "other" to "all" for approval of social media forums.

 

In Section V Title - the change was to strike “Facebook” and change it to “social media” guidelines.

 

In Section V, A - council voted to add “No. 5” to state "sharing published news releases from the Becker Police Dept.

 

Administrator Greg Pruszinske said the City of Becker and Becker Township currently contract with the same building inspector company with an RFP process since  2009. Pruszinske handed out an attachment of RFP references the city and township requires and said, though the town board has not yet voted on the RFP, it’ll be ready to go once they do so.

 

Council voted to approve.

 

Mayor Tracy Bertram read aloud a document proclaiming Brenda Pederson of Pebble Creek Grill & Bar as May’s safety award winner.

 

“Brenda has been instrumental in training new staff in the kitchen in the proper use of equipment to help prevent injuries,” said Bertram. “She was also instrumental in helping the grill and bar pass the most recent health inspections with flying colors!” 

 

Bertram said not only is Pederson helping to keep staff safe, but she also has the safety of all Pebble Creek's customers on her mind by following and practicing the Minnesota Department of Health's guidelines. 

 

Wilbur Lemon appeared before council during open forum and expressed his dissatisfaction with the ditch, drainage and driveway problems he is not getting help with from the city.

 

Lemon said he has been having water drainage problems on his property ever since they put in a trail, causing water to pool up instead of draining. He said he has been trying for the “last six-or-seven years” to get something done from the city.

 

Doering said he would meet with Lemon this week and review the situation and get back to council and staff with suggestions on helping Lemon fix his issues.

 

The next Becker City Council meeting is July 5 at 6 p.m. (moved from Tuesday because of Independence Day).