There were some special feel-good moments at the Becker City Council meeting Monday evening.

 

Seven members of the community attended to meet with Mayor Lefty Kleis and be recognized for their special volunteer work in the past year.

 

Five seniors, Jean Brown, Nancy Heisick, Glenn and Lois Lahm and Ray Marholz, were given special citations for their labors of love with the Central Minnesota Foster Grandparent Program.

 

Bill Johnson, spry and just-short-of-90, was also recognized for his many volunteer activities.

 

Kari Westby, originator of Beyond the Yellow Ribbon in Becker and helping to start a new chapter in Big Lake, was recognized for her work.

 

The local seniors are among more than 200 seniors from Central Minnesota who serve as Foster Grandparents, volunteering in schools. From September, 2014 through January, 2015, the five Becker volunteers served 1,783.5 hours. 

 

School officials and the volunteers alike stressed the wonder of their work and the relationships built with the kids. They work one-on-one with the elementary students who need extra help with reading, spelling and math skills. They are also there for extra emotional support.

 

Each of the recognized seniors stepped forward to tell their story and the enrichment and joy it gives their lives. They also suggested other seniors who might have the time to step forward and enjoy time with the kids, too.

 

City Treasurer Sarah Brunn was also recognized during Monday’s council meeting.

 

She was cited for having earned the title of Minnesota Certified Municipal Clerk. She has secured masters and bachelors degrees in business, completed  a three year program in the state institute and served for 12-plus years for municipalities in administrator, clerk and treasurer roles. 

 

The council passed a resolution approving plans and specifications for the reconstruction of the new Co. Rd. 24 bridge and pedestrian walkway over the Elk River, to be done this summer.

 

City Planner Therese Haffner explained the bridge project would provide for two 12-foot through lanes and two eight-foot wide shoulders and a trail on the south side. 

Council action was to approve a conditional use permit for the work, which will be done in collaberation with Sherburne County.

 

The trail in the project will link residential neighborhoods on both sides of the river.

 

City Hall Carpet, Cameras

Brunn met with the council to request new carpeting in portions of city hall, along with painting in City Hall offices and the police department. Multipel Concepts Interiors of Waite Park had low bid of $22,300. They will also do a vinyl replacement in the police department break room at no charge. Second bidder was AE Michaels of Monticello, $29,535.

 

Low paint bid came from Two Guys Painting of Big Lake for $7,800; second bidder was Fresh Coat of St. Cloud, about $8,627.

 

The work will be done this summer.

 

Police Chief Brent Baloun met with the council to update them on a security camera system for City Hall and the police department. 

 

Thirteen cameras would be deployed and with computer back up system, could cost up to $30,000.

 

Exterior cameras would have the capacity to read license plates on vehicles, he emphasized.

 

The project will be put on the city’s capital expenditure list for 2016.

 

Haffner detailed the request for the city public works department for a rear yard setback of 25.5 feet for an addition to an existing garage on Morris Street.

 

The variance will allow city vehicles to back straight into parking areas in the building.