During Tuesday’s meeting, Mayor Tracy Bertram made a proclamation that Becker’s annual Freedom Days events will take place the week of June 14-19, with “Grand Day” being Saturday the 19th. The event was cancelled last year due to COVID-19, and council members seemed excited to be getting back to the annual celebration.
New Sports Courts
Two new pickleball courts and one new basketball court will be constructed at the green space behind the BCC. The project is being funded in part by contributions from the Lions Club, Knife River, and Cornerstone Concrete. Cornerstone Concrete will be doing the work of pouring the concrete as well, at a discount, in an effort to give back to the community.
The council also approved the construction with the use of modular sports tiles, which should make the courts hardier and lower-maintenance than a more traditional acrylic surface.
Committee Reports
Budget and finance: Becker Community Center (BCC) memberships are still down significantly. Before the pandemic, memberships had climbed to over 800, and they are currently down to around 600. The budget and finance committee expected that more memberships would be purchased in the fall, since summers tend to be a slower season for the BCC. The committee also reviewed plans for the golf simulators at Pebble Creek and looked at the fund balance policy.
Police management: The committee for police management has been looking at ways to recruit new officers, an issue that departments around the state are facing. One officer recently retired from the department, and another may possibly be recruited to another department. Two part-time officers are about to finish their training, which does help the situation, but the committee still wanted to see at least one more part time position filled. They are also hoping to fill a lieutenant position by August.
Recreational Vehicle Permit Fee
The city is looking to implement a $5 fee for recreational vehicles (ATVs, side-by-sides, golf carts, etc.) being used on city streets. As with any change to the city fee schedule, the council is required to hold a public hearing. The public hearing will take place during the next council meeting, June 15 at approximately 5:15 p.m.
Accessory Structures Height Amendment
The community development dept., in review of city code, found that the current accessory structure height limit of 17 feet was causing issues for builders in the city. Council agreed to amend the code to allow structures up to 20 feet. Staff is planning to propose more changes to chapter 11 of the city code, but this was an issue they felt needed to be addressed quickly to help builders working in the community this summer.
In Other Business, the Council:
• Approved advertising for bids for the installation of the golf simulators at Pebble Creek;
• Awarded a bid for work on a city well, which will be partly paid for from the state bonding bill;
• Approved writing a supplemental letter of agreement to do work on sewer and water in the business park;
• Suspended some rules, such as alcohol use in streets, and approved a temporary liquor license for the Lions Club for Freedom Days celebrations;
• Called for a public hearing on the city’s comprehensive plan to take place at the planning commission meeting, June 28 at 6 p.m.
