The Becker City Council took just 24 minutes to conduct business Tuesday, covering solicitor code changes, amending the fee schedule and choosing a vendor to construct a new electronic sign at city hall.

 

For quite some time, staff at city hall had been considering changing the manual, static sign along Sherburne Avenue to a modern, electronic sign. Originally, they planned to use the existing base of the sign and just convert it with an electronic element, but after further inspection, it was discovered the base was in disrepair for long-term use and staff decided to have the sign demolished and start from scratch.

 

The project was estimated at a cost of $50-55,000.

 

The city received two bids from area contractors to perform the sign work and Tuesday council voted to go with Leroy Signs of Minneapolis (Owner Leroy Reiter is a Becker resident). Leroy Signs came in with the lowest bid at $46,890, compared to Scenic Signs at 46,995. 

 

The plan is to have Leroy Signs fabricate and install a 6’-4”H x 10’W (18”D) LED lit, double-faced sign with a manufactured aluminum pole cover at 6’ grade to bottom of sign, painted to match building color.

 

 

The primary changes to the code would be in recognizing the differences between peddler's, solicitors, transient merchants and non-commercial advocates.

 

A peddler is a person who offers merchandise or services for sale door-to-door, including house-to-house, business-to-business, street-to-street, or any other type of place-to-place movement. Delivery and payment occur immediately.

 

A solicitor is a person who obtains orders for merchandise or services for future delivery. Registration is required.

 

A transient merchant is a person who temporarily sets up business out of a vehicle, trailer, boxcar, tent, other portable shelter, or empty store front for the purpose of selling goods. Individuals may not remain in on location for more than 14 consecutive days.

 

Delivery and payment occur immediately.

 

A non-commercial advocate is a person who disseminates religious, political, social, or other ideological beliefs. No registration or license is required.

 

Blesi said peddlers and transient merchants would pay a fee to be licensed by the city and a background check completed. Solicitors would have to register with the city, however no fee would be paid and no background check completed. Non-commercial advocates would not be required to register or pay a fee.

 

Blesi said fees were originally $100 for a 60-day permit. With the changes proposed, it will change to $50 for a 14 consecutive day license or $150 for an annual license. The hours permitted for the sales will be between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.

 

Blesi said in addition, residents will be able to view on the city's website a listing of those merchants who have registered or pulled a license through the city. She also said  residents are reminded they can opt out of all peddler/solicitor/transient merchant sales by posting (at minimum) a 4" x 4" sign in print of at least 48 point in size stating “No peddlers, solicitors and transient merchants” or something similar.

 

In conjunction with the solicitor code update, Blesi told council the fee schedule must also be updated. 

 

Per Minnesota statute 462.353, the fee schedule must be amended by ordinance and a public hearing held prior to considering action on and approval of the changes.

 

Mayor Tracy Bertram opened the public hearing, then abruptly closed it when no one from the public came forward to contest or discuss.

 

The fees Blesi suggested having changed included the removal of the peddler. solicitor, transient merchant 60-day fee of $100, adding the peddlers/transient merchant annual fee of $150 and adding the peddler/transient merchant 14-day consecutive fee of $50.

 

In a last-minute addition to the agenda, City Administrator Greg Pruszinske asked council to approve a letter of support to MnDOT for the Minnesota Hwy. Freight Program.

 

Pruszinske said the county is preparing to make improvements to Co. Rd. 8 and will be requesting funding from the State of Minnesota. In an effort to get the funding in place, the county asked Pruszinske and the city for a letter of support for the MHFP grant application.

 

Council approved.

 

Julie Baloun was recognized as the July safety award winner. 

 

Baloun works at the front counter of the Becker Community Center and is aware of everyone entering and exiting the building. She is always straightening rugs to prevent trips and falls and makes sure things are in there proper place. Wet floor signs are always out on her watch and she continually monitors the pools and hallways to make sure everyone is safe. 

 

The next Becker City Council meeting is  Sept. 5 at 6 p.m.