At the Becker City Council meeting of last week, the mayor and council discussed Kindness Week, held a public hearing regarding an alcohol compliance failure, and scheduled public hearings for outstanding bills.

Kindness Week

Mayor Tracy Bertram proclaimed Kindness Week for the City of Becker. Kindness week took place from Nov. 9-13. Nov. 13 was World Kindness Day.

The schools also participated in Kindness Week. Middle school and high school students were given daily “kindness challenges,” with a reward given to students who completed a certain number of the challenges.

Alcohol Compliance Failure

A public hearing was held for the alcohol compliance failure at Jubilee Liquors, Oct. 7. Sherburne County Public Health conducted alcohol compliance checks in Becker, and Jubilee Liquors was the only license holder in violation after selling liquor to a minor.

Since this is their second transgression within three years, the business will need to pay a $1,000 fine and will have their liquor license suspended for three days. Police Chief Brent Baloun said he would work with the owners on finding a time to have the license suspended. No comments were made by the public at the hearing.

Replacement of Stall Doors at BCC

The stall doors in the family locker room at the Becker Community Center are being replaced. The five stall doors are made of wood, and have been in use for more than 25 years. Due to the humidity from the pool, the doors are in rough condition. They are going to be replaced with fiberglass doors, which should hold out for at least 25 more years and will withstand the damp environment.

Russell Security Resource will be hired to change out the doors.

Public Hearings

A public hearing will be held at the Nov. 17 city council meeting regarding unpaid utility bills. Any bills that have not been paid for more than 60 days may be sent to the county to collect with the 2021 property taxes. Residents with outstanding bills will be sent notifications about the time and place of the hearing.

Another public hearing will be held during the same meeting regarding outstanding bills for grass and weed trimming done by the city. Residents who were not maintaining the grass and weeds on their properties were given notices both on June 26 and Aug. 7 that they needed to mow their properties. They were given 10 days to do so before city staff completed the work instead. The property owners were then billed for the work which had been completed. This hearing would be held prior to certifying the county to collect the unpaid bills with the 2021 property taxes.

Update to Audio / Visual Equipment

Becker is getting an upgrade to the city council audio/visual equipment. The cost is a little more than $68,000 and will be covered by CARES funding. The new equipment will allow for higher quality video and audio streaming for audience members watching from home, larger, high definition screen in the council chamber, and improved capabilities for remote attendees.

The equipment and installation will be provided by EPA Audio Visual Inc.