In a gesture of gratitude for public servants, LDI CEO Mike Fiterman presented Becker Police Chief Brent Baloun with a $20,000 check at Tuesday’s city council meeting to be used for the purchase of body cams.

 

LDI (Liberty Diversified International) is the parent company to LPI (Liberty Paper, Inc.) of Becker and the company will be celebrating their 100th anniversary in 2018. Fiterman said the company’s theme for their anniversary year is “Year of Gratitude” and said “what better place to begin with gratitude than with our local public servants.”

 

“I approached your city administrator (Greg Pruszinske) recently and asked if there was something the city needs that doesn’t fit into their budget,” Fiterman told council.

 

“Greg pointed me to the body cams.”

 

Last month, Baloun put in a request to the city for the purchase of 10 body cameras for his officers. He only had money in the budget for six for this year, but felt the need to outfit each and every officer from day one. 

 

The cost for the 10 body cams was estimated at around $55,000. Baloun had $33,000 in his budget. So he made contact with LPI to request a donation, but never expected them to cover the entire deficit.

 

“I talked to Chuck (Legatt) and he asked me what the total was that I needed,” said Baloun. “After a little back-and-forth, he contacted me and said it was covered.”

 

Fiterman reflected on the Las Vegas shooting and said, “Police are taught to run towards the danger instead of running away,” he said. “This is just part of our gratitude to the police for making our world a safer place.”

 

Community Development Coordinator Jacob Sanders presented council with changes to the city’s ordinances in regards to zoning.

 

Sanders said, due to recent interest in industrially zoned properties by a variety of entities, it came to staff's attention that multiple pieces in the zoning ordinance limit industries. He proposed changes to Sections 11.02, 11.21, 11.50, 11.51, 11.65 and 11.75. 

 

Due to the changes, he asked Mayor Tracy Bertram to open a public hearing to hear from the citizens.

 

Bertram opened the public hearing at 6:17 and closed it moments later after no one from the public appeared to give comment.

 

Sanders said the changes include new definitions, noise regulation, permitted uses and building heights in industrial zoned properties, and the prohibition of private roadways within the City of Becker city limits. These updates, he says, will help spur economic growth and give greater flexibility to entities wishing to come into the city. 

 

“It’ll free things up and make things more flexible,” he said.

 

Jamie Cassidy said his BCC staff has been developing a plan to complete the mural in the pool area of the community center. 

 

He said the parks and recreation committee has discussed this project and are in support of its pursuit. 

 

Cassidy said the current wall depicts native Minnesota plants and animals and a scene along the Mississippi River from Snuffy's Landing, one of Becker's parks. His plan is to continue the theme of using plants and animals native to not only Minnesota, but more specifically, the Oak Savanna ecosystem. 

 

Staff has identified Dan Mondloch of St. Cloud to be the muralist to complete the project. The original muralist (name unknown) has since retired and moved out of the area.

 

Cassidy said he reached out to the Central Minnesota Arts Board (CMAB),  who is also able to offer an educational component for the public. In addition to helping connect organizations with artists, the CMAB offers funds up to $7,000 in support of arts-focused events. The BCC intends to apply for a grant in the amount of $7,000, with a 25% match that was received from public donations, to support this project. 

 

The entire cost for the project is estimated at $10,000.

 

Cassidy hopes to have the project commence early in 2018 with a completion date of sometime in April.

 

Clerk Julie Blesi presented council with a calendar showing the council meeting dates for the upcoming year. She noted three changes from the usual calendar dates and one additional meeting for elections.

 

Since the precinct caucuses fall on Tues., Feb. 6, due to state statutes, the city cannot hold a meeting that evening during those hours. Blesi suggested council move their meeting to the next day, Wed., Feb. 7.

 

In August, the city dedicates the first Tuesday of the month to accommodate Night to unite and Blesi said, since July has five Tuesday’s in 2018 — to move the meeting to the week before (July 31) to satisfy the situation.

 

Blesi said since the general election falls on Tues., Nov. 6, she suggested council move their meeting to the following day, Wed., Nov. 7 at 6 p.m.

 

She also suggested the city schedule an additional meeting Nov. 13 to certify the general election results.

 

Pruszinske asked council to approve a letter of support drafted for Xcel Energy to endorse their plan to establish a land management plan to help restore wildlife habitat and promote the diversity of plants and animals. 

 

Xcel Energy plans on restoring hundreds of acres within the City of Becker. Pruszinske said the restoration project could kick off as early as this winter. 

 

Xcel plans on selective cutting trees and ridding the areas of buckthorn. Natural areas are important to the community and a  restoration project will be of great value, Pruszinske said.

 

Gina Hugo, a forest resource specialist with the Sherburne Soil and Water Conservation District, was onhand and was invited by Pruszinske to give her input. She told council the idea is “fantastic” and because of the canopy situation in those 800+ acres, it will create a perfect setting for land management and the ability to make plants and wildlife flourish once the red oaks and cedar are thinned out and the removal of the invasive species, such as buckthorn.

 

• Deputy Clerk Marilyn Danielson was honored for serving the City of Becker for 28 years;

 

• Curt Bertsch of Pebble Creek was honored as the recipient of the August safety award.

 

Council meets Tues., Oct. 17 at 6 p.m.