During the recent Becker City Council meeting, the council swore in their new city police chief, Chris Lindbloom. Lindbloom has worked for the department for many years and served as the number two leader under Chief Brent Baloun. 

“I just appreciate the opportunity and the trust you’ve put in me,” Lindbloom said. 

Another new employee also joined the Becker City Staff. Brandy Thomas was hired as the new recreation services manager at the Becker Community Center (BCC). Thomas has experience in community education and worked at the BCC as a young adult. 

Food Shelf

The food shelf has outgrown its location at Becker Furniture World, and has been looking to purchase land to better provide for their needs. They asked the city to sell them land for a dollar so they can start on a building project. The land is located at 13750 Central Ave., which is located near Becker Township Hall and the old fire station (current legion building). The council added a clause that if the food shelf ever wished to sell the land in the future, the city would get the right of first refusal. 

Open Forum

Cheyenne Ricks spoke to ask for leniency regarding her pet ducks. When she and her husband moved into their home last year, they mistook the Becker Township ordinance with Becker City ordinance, and believed they were allowed to keep the animals on their property. They realized their mistake when a neighbor filed a complaint. Ricks said that the ducks were emotional support animals and she wanted to find any way she could to keep them, including erecting a privacy fence and moving the coop further back onto their property. 

Committee Reports

Fire board held a special meeting to work on the budget, and was finally ready to present a budget with which they were satisfied. 

Police committee discussed the staffing situation regarding the new chief - They decided not to replace the lieutenant position Lindbloom was vacating to become chief. 

League of MN Cities annual conference covered the cannabis update, and Council Member Mike Doering also attended a few utility classes. He said he was disappointed the governor didn’t appear. 

Mayor Mark Kolbinger proposed putting together a Mayor’s Round Table to talk about issues between the city, school, and township. The first date of this meeting will by July 29 at City Hall. 

For the City Hall project, the perimeter fence recently came down, and things are generally starting to be wrapped up.