Becker City Council met Tuesday to discuss delinquent utilities, a grant application for MN Section PGA, a premise permit for the Clear Lake Lions, a preliminary engineering report grant, an agreement with SEH for 2018 street projects and city hall HVAC upgrades.

 

 

Premise Permit Application

Clerk Julie Blesi  said the Clear Lake Lions are requesting to apply for a premises permit (gambling permit for pull tabs and electronic pull-tabs) located at 12287 Hancock Street SE (formerly NIX). 

 

The restaurant/ bar will be called Charlie's Sports Bar and Grill. 

 

The Clear Lake Lions already hold a premises permit at Beck's Pub and generously donates over half of their proceeds to Becker, Becker Township and the City of Monticello as required by city code.

 

Blesi said Police Chief Brent Baloun has been notified and does not recommend a background check.

 

There are no fees for this permit as it is processed by the state, however the city must approve the application, Blesi said.

 

Blesi issued a reminder, saying the state issues gambling licenses to non-profit organizations. The non-profits then apply for premises permit at each location within each city where they wish to conduct gambling activities. The city has the authority to approve or deny the request. If approved by the city, the non- profit then sends the application and fee to the state for issuance. 

 

Blesi says the new owners have signed a purchase agreement for the property with a closing date to come the beginning of December. The premise  permit would be specific to Charlie's Sports Bar and Grill, so if something happened that the closing does not take place, a new application for a premise permit at this location would have to be submitted. 

 

Blesi says staff recommends approving the premises permit for the Clear Lake Lions based on their past history of donating proceeds to Becker and the surrounding communities.  

 

Connie Robinson asked Mayor Tracy Bertram to call for a public hearing in order to certify delinquent utility charges for 2017. 

 

Robinson said the city has the authority, per Minnesota Statute 444.075, subdivision three to certify unpaid water and sewer charges for collection with the subsequent year's property taxes. Water and sewer accounts more than 60 days past due and owing more than $50 are to be assessed and were notified by mail in October. 

 

Staff mailed out notices to properties with a delinquent utility balance for a total amount of $11,511.13. Property owners were given until Nov. 21 to bring their accounts current. To date, 45 of the 118 accounts remain outstanding.

 

Alcohol Non-Compliance

Police Chief Brent Baloun asked the mayor to open a public hearing to discuss alcohol compliance check failures and the consequences.

 

In October, members of the Sherburne County health Dept. and the Becker Police conducted alcohol compliance checks within the City of Becker. Two businesses sold alcohol to a minor in violation of state ordinance. The two businesses were identified as Los Ortizes Mexican Restaurant and The Cave Wine & Spirits.

 

Baloun said both businesses were advised of the pubic hearing to make a statement or answer any questions from council. An unidentified representative from The Cave was on hand, but refused to step up to the podium and speak while no one showed up from Los Ortizes.

 

The first offense violation includes a $750 charge and the seller at both establishments who failed to check ID when the underage person made the request, have been charged criminally for selling alcohol to a minor and will have to appear in court at a later date.

 

Both entities have 30 days to pay the fine.

 

MN Section PGA Grant Application

Golf Director Troy Malo said at the fall meeting of the MN Section of the PGA, it was brought to his attention he is able to apply for grant dollars from the MN Section of the PGA. These funds are reserved for MN Section PGA professionals in good standing and the facilities who employ them. 

 

The grant dollars are issued to the facility and not the individual PGA Professional, but one must be a member of the PGA in good standing to be eligible to apply. 

 

Malo said Pebble Creek Golf Club has a need for new instructional and training aids to enhance and improve their lesson programs for both adults and youth. He also pointed out Pebble Creek has struggled to field a PGA Junior League team as the registration fees required to staff such a program are beyond what the market will bear.

 

Malo says both of the items above can be addressed by securing grant dollars through the MN Section of PGA. He said staff would like to proceed with the application process. 

 

Grant money is expected to be awarded in the first quarter of 2018.

 

Prelim Engineering Report Grant

Pruszinske said city staff has been collaborating with the Initiative Foundation and Sherburne County to prepare an application for the Federal EDA. The application requires submittal of a preliminary engineering report. 

 

The Initiative Foundation has agreed to fund $20,000 of the $47,575 needed to complete the report. Northern Metals Recycling and Liberty Paper will be donating $10,000 each.

 

Pruszinske said the city would need to fund the remaining $7,575, which is lower than the $20,000 original allocation discussed at a prior city council meeting. The remaining funds can be reallocated to the rail feasibility study that the City of Becker is participating in with Sherburne County. 

 

Pruszinske said he has been getting quotes from contractors to upgrade several HVAC components in the Becker Police Dept. 

 

The project includes replacing air handling units, air conditioning units and controls. Pruszinske says the city was expecting the final cost to be between $22,000-$23,000.

 

McDowall Comfort Management came in with the lowest bid of $23,581 and was awarded the job.

 

October’s Safety Award winner is Officer Tim Martin of the police department. 

 

Martin has been instrumental in the training of the department’s new officers when they are hired at the police department. Part of the training requires training new officers in how to be safe as a new officer, as well as firearms and TASER training. 

 

In addition, Martin is one who leads by example by practicing safe habits while working, positioning of squad cars, dealing with suspects, wearing his personal protection equipment, and in wearing his reflective vest as necessary. Tim has done an excellent job in instructing the city’s officers but also in helping keep the community safe. 

 

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