The Becker Township Board met Monday evening and faced a full agenda of issues and decisions, including discussion on an ordinance to govern parking rules and regulations on township roads.

 

Several residents were on hand to speak during the public hearing on the matter, some for the ordinance and some against.

 

Resident Cory Vogl read from a prepared statement he had submitted before the meeting and asked for clarification on some language he felt was vague and also sought clarification as to why certain language was added to the proposed ordinance that doesn’t appear in similar ordinances in surrounding communities.

 

Resident Ted Myers disagreed with some of Vogl’s assertions and took time to share with the board some of the dimensions he stated he had measured before the meeting.  The dimensions related to allowing access for semi trucks and trailers to get into driveways without others infringing on the right of way.

 

After hearing from several more residents, the board closed the public hearing and began the business of addressing the comments from residents and ultimately a discussion of how to proceed.

 

“Without an ordinance, there’s nothing to restrict people from parking in other’s driveways or right of ways,” commented Supervisor Gary Gilbert.  “We’ve also had other issues such as people leaving cars parked in cul-de-sacs for a week or more.”

 

Emergency vehicle and school bus access was discussed, along with the purpose of the proposed ordinance – to ensure safe travel.  The board came to a consensus that it was not their intent to have vehicles towed or ticketed, but something was needed on the books as a starting place.  

 

Ultimately, the board voted unanimously 4-0 (Supervisor Babler was absent) to adopt the ordinance, which also absorbs the winter parking rules currently in place in the township.

 

 

The board also heard from Janelle Midson, of KDV, regarding the December 21, 2018 audit.  

 

Revenues were reported as $6,000 under budget, but expenditures were also under budget by $27,000.  

 

“The township’s fund balance is still within the board’s stated policy,” added Midson.  

 

She also noted that there some very minor issues with internal controls, resulting from a lack of segregation of duties with the office staff.

 

“This is very typical for an entity of your size,” she added.

 

Midson gave a preview of some upcoming auditing changes with the state in terms of accounting for infrastructure and assets but reported that the township is well positioned to handle this in the upcoming years.

 

 

Wes Davis was on hand to give the engineer’s report.  He updated the board on the 185th Avenue project which started that day and was expected to last six weeks.  Reclaiming the asphalt was scheduled to start on the day after Memorial Day.

 

“The mailboxes have been grouped and notices have been sent to all homeowners,” reported Davis.

 

He also reported there had been an agreement with the County for the 117th Street alterations.  The county was supportive of giving the township an easement for the road as long as the Township vacated an earlier easement.  The board approved, as it was felt the situation was a win-win for all parties involved.

 

“The road stays right were it is,” added Gilbert.

 

Davis continues his work on the engineering standards for the township and he also reported he had sent notice to the contractor on 185th Ave S. that the final erosion control needed to be removed.  The township has retained $30,000 in funds that can be used if the contractor doesn’t come into compliance.

 

 

*Agreed to have Gilbert work with resident Paul Kleinwachter, Oak Crest Estates, on a permanent solution to water issues caused by a resurfacing of  a cul-de-sac;

 

*Tabled a discussion regarding land use and maintenance within Woodberry Farms as there was an issue with citizen notification regarding the topic.  This will be added to the June meeting;

 

*Held a public hearing on assessing charges for nonconforming sign removal at 16496 149th St. SE.  Upon discussion that many previous notices had been sent over a period of years, the board approved adding the unpaid assessment to the tax rolls;

 

* Held discussion about  a right of way issue on Kenny Court, while noting that there are maybe a half dozen other road and right of way issues that have been inherited over the years by the board that will need to be dealt with;

 

*Heard an update from SCSO Sergeant Dan Frank, who reported 112 calls for service in the past month with many being related to burning.  “Residents are encouraged to check the DNR website, as it is very user friendly,” added Frank;

 

*Received an update on the efforts being made to update signage, including shared road signs, fire numbers and getting quotes for possibly adding a speed control sign to the township’s assets;

 

*Adopted the updated snow and ice control policy.  “Now it will match and reference the appropriate ordinances of the township,” added Chairman Brian Kolbinger;

 

*Formally accepted the roads of the Salida Crossing subdivision as this had never been formally done at the time of development;

 

*Directed Clerk Lucinda Messman to bring to the June meeting a recommendation to add excavation permits to the fee schedule.