To begin the November 19, 2024 Becker City Council Meeting, City Administrator Greg Lerud asked the council to add an item to the agenda to discuss the hiring process for the soon to be vacant position of Becker Chief of Police.
At the November 12 meeting, the council decided to move forward in the hiring process with the two remaining candidates. Those candidates were then asked to complete a leadership assessment. Prior to the November 19 meeting, Lerud received a formal withdrawal notice from Sgt. Jonathan Kurtz, currently a member of the Crystal, MN Police Department. With only one candidate remaining, Lerud asked for guidance from the council on how to proceed.
Initially, Mike Doering voiced support to continue the process with Rick Hendrickson immediately saying he did not. Without providing any details, he suggested suspending the process into next year. Rebecca Olmscheid and Robin Dingmann agreed. Doering then surprised everyone by stating that he would support suspending the process.
Lerud suggested the council make a motion to close the current application period and to take it up again in February after the holiday season when candidates are again looking for new positions. Lerud also suggested that in that motion, he be authorized to begin the process to appoint an Interim Police Chief. Hendrickson forwarded the motion and Dingmann seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
City Hall/Police HQ
Lerud updated the council on the progress of the current City Hall/Police Headquarters project.
“The drive around the north side was paved a week or so ago,” he said. “Brick is now being installed along the outside. Roofing materials have been put up on the PD garage area and in this front area, the trusses. The joists will be up tomorrow I believe, and the decking will follow shortly so, it should all be enclosed here very soon. It is still on schedule for completion for the third week of Dec. for the PD side. Sheet rock and studs were delivered this week.”
City Streets
Doering gave the council an update from the latest Planning Commission meeting. A citizen complaint about speeding on 107th St SE, near the golf course, prompted the commission to take action. BPD advised the road needs to have the speed limit posted, but before that can happen the city has to show a need, so a traffic study will be done in the area.
Public Services Director Phil Knutson brought a resolution before the council approving a supplemental letter agreement with Short Eliot Hendrickson, Inc. for 2025 bituminous street improvements. The SLA covers the topographic survey work, final design for the proposed project and bidding services. The proactive agreement will according to Knutson, “get the ball rolling.”
The streets being recommended for the 2025 Street Improvement Project are: Riley Avenue, Pineview Drive (from Riley Ave to Rolling Ridge Rd), Hillside Lane, Meadow Circle, Sandy Lane, 132nd Street, final wear course for Birdie Lane and Fairway Lane as it relates to the Avalon Estates Development, Woodland Court, Central Ave (from Hancock Street to Sherburne Ave) as well as the front and rear parking lots at City Hall.
Consent Agenda
There were a few items of note within the consent agenda which allows the council to approve multiple items with one vote. A number of donations were accepted by the city from the Becker Lions Club - $5,000 for Snuffy’s Landing, $2,000 for Archery Targets, and $5,000 for Freedom Days Fireworks.
Economic Development Coordinator Nicole Smude’s resignation was accepted. Community Development Director Jacob Sanders had cited concerns about childcare as the reason for her departure.
