The swearing-in of a new council member, a review of a state audit, a request for support for a new business venture, a public hearing and a construction agreement were some of the items discussed by the Becker City Council at Tuesday’s meeting.

 

Todd Hanrahan was sworn-in by Attorney Scott Lepak and Hanrahan climbed into the seat recently vacated by Adam Oliver.

 

Hanrahan was the only applicant for the open seat during the city’s process of filling Oliver’s position after Oliver resigned from council due to personal, family concerns.

 

Hanrahan was interviewed during a special session June 2 in front of council members Rick Hendrickson, Lori Keller and Tracy Bertram. 

 

Mayor Lefty Kleis was not in attendance for the interview.

 

During the interview that lasted nearly 45 minutes, Hanrahan was asked certain questions in regards to his vision for the city, why he wants to serve, what are his three biggest city budget issues and how he plans to bolster the city’s relationship with Becker Twp., amongst others.

 

Following the interview, council had a brief discussion about the answered questions and came to a consensus that Hanrahan would be a good fit for council.

 

 

Community Development Coordinator Marie Pflipsen presented information on a potential new business identified as “Project Pine”. The identity of the new business is intentionally left undisclosed to protect the company’s interests during the selection process.

 

Pflipsen said Project Pine is exploring land options nationwide with access to reliable and ample power and plentiful water. Pflipsen said the City of Becker was identified as a leading (top five possibly, Pflipsen said) community to locate to.

 

In partnership with Xcel Energy, Becker has two sites presented to the site selector. Pflipsen said the business attraction project will diversify and grow the city’s tax base and create high-wage positions.

 

Mayor Kleis questioned Pflipsen about the company and said he was not comfortable showing his support for a company whose name is not disclosed nor what business they run.

 

Council Member Rick Hendrickson reminded Kleis the request from Pflipsen was not giving final approval to bring this company to Becker but to show the city’s support to Pflipsen to continue trying to lure the business to the city.

 

Kleis balked at the idea, saying he can’t throw his support for this proposal without knowing more about who the company is.

 

All council members — with the exception of Mayor Kleis — voted in favor of Pflipsen continuing her efforts to lure the prospective business to the City of Becker.

 

Randy Vogt, Lisa Young and David Kennedy from the state auditor’s office presented the results of a OSA audit of the city-owned golf course. According to the auditors, several petitioners from the City of Becker requested the examination of the day-to-day business of Pebble Creek for the years 2013-2015.

 

In next week’s Citizen-Tribune, a more in-depth analysis of the audit and petition will be reported on.

 

Mayor Kleis read aloud a document proclaiming the week of June 13-19 as Freedom Days in the City of Becker.

 

Kleis urged all citizens to get involved and participate in the many events and activities planned that celebrate the freedom of its people.

 

BCC Manager Jamie Cassidy asked council to approve the plans and specifications and authorize staff to advertise for bids for the installation of the dehumidification unit at the Becker Community Center.

 

Wenck Associates, Inc. provided the city with plans and specs for the installation and requests the advertisement for bids be held at the BCC Fri., June 17 at 10 a.m. with a mandatory attendance requested of all contractors. 

 

Bids will close June 30 and staff will bring a recommendation to council at their July 5 meeting for approval.

 

A public hearing was declared at Tuesday’s council meeting to address the 43 properties that have not paid for snow removal services this past winter season.

 

Clerk Julie Blesi said the property owners were invoiced several times over the last few months and were again notified of the public hearing held Tuesday.

 

No one from the public stood to contest the charges.

 

Following the public hearing, council approved the resolution to certify the unpaid snow removal charges to the 43 properties identified.

 

The amount expected to be paid to the city is just over $5,000 total with each property owner being charged $75 for the snow removal and $50 for the certification fee.

 

Lepak presented a resolution in regards to approval of the right-of-way, which includes a construction maintenance agreement and easement agreement with BNSF Railway Co.

 

BNSF is currently undertaking an expansion project of its rail line through the City of Becker and asked the city to grant an easement over a portion of its property to complete the realignment improvements to the crossing at Hancock Street.

 

Construction is estimated to begin July 5.

 

Lepak also provided information to council on some legal word “swapping” for acceptance between the city and BNSF for their industrial track agreement.

 

City Administrator Greg Pruszinske asked council to approve a resolution showing changes made to council committee assignments following the resignation of Adam Oliver and the swearing in of new Council Member Todd Hanrahan.

 

Council approved having Hanrahan replace Oliver on his committee assignments including the annexation and joint planning board, the firefighters relief association, personnel committee, police management committee and planning commission.

 

Council considered adding Hanrahan to the EDA committee but Member Keller said she’d like to discuss the option and get the committee’s input at the next EDA meeting.

 

• Council approved the consent agenda which included donations acceptance, hiring and terminations for the BCC and WWTF, a noise exemption permit for Relay for Life, appointment of Josh Severson to the parks & recreation committee, the hiring of KLM Engineering for coating inspections for the WWTF refurbishment project and a partial pay request to Gridor Construction;

 

• Joe Danielson was recognized for serving the City of Becker for the last 32 years;

 

• Dave Pesola was recognized for serving the City of Becker for the last 11 years;

 

• Mayor Kleis reminded people of the all-city garage sale event happening this weekend;

 

• Kleis mentioned the community concert to be held at Pebble Creek July 30 at 6 p.m.

 

The next Becker City Council meeting is June 21 at 6 p.m.