In a very quick meeting Wednesday (moved from Tuesday because of New Year), the Becker City Council met to discuss the organizational and committee appointments, charitable gambling at Pebble Creek and the swearing in of Rick Hendrickson and Troy Cox as elected officials.
New Electors
Troy Cox took his first oath of office after he won the seat on council vacated by Lori Keller, who declined to run this past year. Hendrickson took his third oath of office since being elected to council for the first time back in 2013 when Phil Knutson resigned his seat after moving outside the city limits.
Clerk Julie Blesi recited the oath of office for Cox and Hendrickson where they repeated the pledge back with their right hands in the air. Moments later, they climbed into their chairs behind the podium at city hall to tackle the first meeting’s agenda of 2019.
Appointments
Mayor Tracy Bertram reviewed the committee appointments and council voted to approve.
The appointments include:
Mike Doering as acting mayor; Hendrickson and Bertram on the annexation and joint planning board (Doering as the alternate); Cox and Hendrickson on budget & finance; city attorney as Scott Lepak of Barna Guzy & Steffen; city auditor as Bergan KDV and Randy Sabart from SEH as city engineer/consultant.
Cox and Hendrickson were also appointed to EDA; Todd Hanrahan and Connie Robinson to the firefighter’s relief association; Bertram and Hanrahan are part of the fire joint powers board; Cox and Hanrahan are part of golf management; Hendrickson and Doering are part of the LPI advisory board.
Sherburne State Bank was selected as official depository and the Citizen-Tribune named official newspaper (West Sherburne Tribune and St. Cloud Times are alternates).
Doering and Cox were named to parks & rec; Hanrahan and Bertram named to personnel committee; Hanrahan and Hendrickson to police management; Doering and Hendrickson to planning commission; Bertram and Doering to public works and Hendrickson and Doering to the Xcel advisory board.
Charitable Gambling
Recreation & Leisure Services Assistant Director Josh Kuha of the community center brought forth a request to allow for the addition of charitable gambling to be held at Pebble Creek.
In seeking additional revenue sources, Kuha began discussions with staff and information was learned that the Becker Lions was in the process of gaining the capabilities to facilitate such games. A decision was made to investigate options of partnering with the Becker Lions and how that could provide multiple benefits.
Kuha says the proceeds from any closed pull tab game would be split amongst the Lions Club and Pebble Creek Golf Club by an 80/20 split. He went on to say the Lions are strong supporters of the local community and the proceeds would surely benefit the programs they support.
Kuha said Pebble Creek operations would benefit from the 20% "rent" and the addition of new clientele to the restaurant.
Potential issues in going forward with the introduction of charitable gambling could be operational challenges of cash handling and game management, Kuha told council. However, the Minnesota Gambling Control Board oversees these activities and has very strong controls on the process. He pointed out there is also a negative perception of a city business engaging in these activities.
Kuha said the golf committee recommended the request.
Council approved.
Open Forum
Roger Bigalke gave an update on the war memorial he spearheaded to be constructed just outside the front doors of city hall.
Bigalke said all the pieces are in place for the monument to happen and said he was currently in the process of scheduling the work to have stones and flags manufactured for a spring or summer construction commencement.
Bigalke said the memorial is set to be revealed in a special ceremony at Freedom Days of 2020 — the 100th anniversary of the Becker American Legion.
Bigalke also thanked LPI for their generous, $6,500 donation to the project.
Up Next
The next Becker City Council meeting is Jan. 15 at 6 p.m.
