During the Becker City Council meeting Tuesday, BPD Chief Brent Baloun asked council to call for a public hearing in regards to Jubilee Liquor’s alcohol compliance failure. 

Alcohol compliance checks were completed around the city June 23, and, once again, Jubilee Liquors was the only business who failed to card a minor during the test. Since this is the store’s third compliance check failure in the same number of years, they will have to pay a $2,000 fine and will have their license revoked for seven days. If they fail a compliance check again, their license will be revoked for an amount of time as deemed appropriate by council.

Baloun stated that the store owners fired the staff member who committed the offense, and they were disappointed in the way that the situation was handled.

The public hearing will take place at the August 10 council meeting.

ATV Ordinance Resolution

Having tabled the issue at the last council meeting, council once again considered the proposed ATV ordinance. The ordinance would allow ATVs and other vehicles to drive on city streets with a permit.

Once again, Pete Weismann spoke during open forum to voice his disapproval. He noted that, at the last meeting, council members had doubts of their own about the ordinance. He asked that they postpone the vote again, and make sure they put forward an ordinance they were confident with.

Council asked Chief Baloun questions about the ordinance before bringing the issue to a vote. The vote was far from unanimous, with council members Robin Dingmann, Mike Doering, and Rick Hendrickson voting to approve the ordinance, with the $25 fee, while Mayor Tracy Bertram and council member Becky Olmscheid voted against.

Fee Schedule

Council reviewed the fee schedule again this week, to update the ATV permit fee to $25 and to lower the parkland dedication fee for developers.

Street Improvement

City staff wish to increase the width of Sherburne Ave. (in the industrial park) to allow for longer than standard turn lanes and bypass lanes. The goal of this is to better handle truck traffic, and would be done as a part of the street improvement project.

The project would, however, expand the road enough that the new right-of-way would fall on Xcel and Vonco property. At the time of council meeting on Tuesday, the city had not yet heard from Vonco whether they would allow the city to move forward with the project. Vonco was due to give their decision by Friday.

With the hope Vonco would reply in the affirmative, council directed staff to call for a special meeting Tuesday, July 27 at 7 p.m. to hear bids for the project.

In Other Business,Council:

• Watched a video made showing the partnership between the city and Structural Buildings, made as a promotional video to attract new businesses;

• Renewed a lease with John Deere for equipment to use at Pebble Creek.