A road project for 185th Avenue, a memorial sign, the spring road tour and the swearing in of a new supervisor were all a part of Monday’s Becker Twp. Board meeting.

 

This road project has been getting a lot of attention over the years due to the complexities surrounding traffic use, wetlands and deterioration of the road. Engineer Terrance Vander Eyk said 185th is the longest stretch of road in Becker Twp. (3.3 miles).

 

Wes Davis, Eyk’s apprentice at Bogart, Pederson & Associates, presented two sheets to the board identifying “Phase I” and Phase II” of the project. Phase I is targeted to be worked on this calendar year and Phase II and beyond in subsequent years.

 

Phase I would be the part of the road from Co. Rd. 73 to 120th Streets. The estimate showed the mobilization, clearing of debris, removal of pipe culverts and bituminous, excavation, aggregate base, surfacing etc. totaling $428,578.48. Future surfacing after all the initial projects are done would equal $191,000.

 

Eyk and Davis asked the board if they were comfortable with the estimates and if they’d be willing to let Bogart, Pederson advertise for bids. After a lengthy discussion, the board voted to approve the advertisement of bids for Phase I.

 

Phase II would include fixing the road from 120th St. to 109th St. and is estimated to cost the township approximately $401, 255.48 plus $224,000 for future surfacing.

 

Phase II is expected to be part of next year’s budget cycle.

 

With the departure of long-serving supervisor, Gary Hammer, the board acted quickly to fill his seat and appointed Jeff Lambert to fill the vacancy until the next election for that seat.

 

Lambert once served the board previously when he won an election in 2009. Lambert joins Chair Brian Kolbinger, Supervisors Brad Wilkening, Jamie Johnson and Joe Danielson.

 

Marie Pflipsen said Midwest Bus submitted a building application that was rejected due to issues with the township’s fire code. Pflipsen said the building official is currently working with the applicant to pass the code.

 

Pflipsen presented a draft ordinance to the board in regards to predatory offenders. She advised the board to review it, make any notes and suggestions before the ordinance gets set for approval at next month’s meeting.

 

A public hearing will be held on that date also.

 

Eyk displayed a draft of a sign being constructed and dedicated to long-serving Supervisor Lester W. Olson, who died in 2012 at the age of 86.

The memorial sign will go up at the Snake River Crossing bridge.

 

Eyk’s design of the sign showed the sign being 24”x48” with 3.5” of text on the first line, 3” of text on the second line and 1-1/2” text on the bottom. All the lettering will be in white on a brown background.

 

Eyk said Newman Signs will be the contractor and Eyk promised the board he would have a final quote on costs to the board by next month’s meeting.

 

At an earlier board meeting, residents and the board heavily discussed the problem with a cul-de-sac at 166th and the idea to join 166th and 168th in Becker Twp.

 

The board had indicated they wanted to creat a connection between a cul-de-sac road and a road further north to create a better flow through the development and make it easier for safety officials to navigate the neighborhoods. Residents argued that would aid to the increase of speeds in the neighborhood and bring this community’s  tranquility to a halt.

 

At Monday’s meeting, with several residents form that development in attendance, the board decided to hold off on any further action or discussion on the project until they make a better assessment of the situation at the Spring road tour.

 

Clerk Lucinda Messman told the attendees that they could log onto the Becker Twp. website and subscribe to get emails that would apprise them of any future public hearings or settlements the board decides to make outside the board meetings.

 

Sheriff Joel Brott presented the annual report on sheriff’s activities in Becker Twp. He told the board his office received 2,103 calls for service in 2016 (slightly up from last year) with 83 of those calls being for serious criminal activity. 

 

Brott went over in detail what those crimes were and then gave notice of the five new patrol deputies his department has hired in the recent months. He also told the board the department has a new K9 dog by the name of Riggs.

 

• An engagement agreement with KDV was approved by the board;

 

• The Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting is  April 11 at 9 a.m.;

 

• A special township board gathering is scheduled for Jan. 30 at 7p.m. for a Board of Audit meeting;

 

• The board decided to “leave as is” the MATIT coverage for clerk, treasurer and deputy clerk bond limits.

 

 

 

The next Becker Twp. Board meeting is Feb. 20 at 7 p.m.