The Becker City Council met Tuesday to discuss the new dog park, roof repair to the Becker Community Center and a call for a public hearing for tobacco ordinance.

Dog Park

Becker’s new “off-leash” Dog Park opened Sept. 9, partnered by the Girl Scout Troop 780. Many attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the two, fenced-in locations to the north of City Park by the pond and bridge.

One of the fenced-in areas is for smaller pooches while the other is for larger breeds to roam.

Roof Repair

Phil Knutson said during routine drain clean outs on the roof of the BCC, it was noted that a portion of the roof above the old chlorine gas room had deteriorated to the point of needing to be replaced. Knutson said it is in a corner of the building and is falling into the building.

The repairs needed would be to replace the metal decking in the area as well as the roof gravel and asphalt.

Knutson says the city has money in their 2020 CIP for Building Improvements; however, this was unforeseen and was not planned to be used for this expense. With using funds from this line item, he said, he would look to replace these funds in the city’s 2021 CIP budget.

“It would not be any increase in the CIP levy,” Knutson said. “We would look to increase our spending in 2021 to replace these funds being spent on this unforeseen item in 2020. We currently are carrying forward a balance in our CIP as well.”

Knutson said staff sought bids for repairing the damaged area ranging in price from $27,000 to $25,750. McDowall Company was selected for the repairs and is covering a slightly larger area for repair to ensure the problem is eliminated, not to exceed $27,000.

Public Hearing

Clerk Julie Blesi asked council to call for a public hearing Oct. 6 at approximately 5 p.m. to consider changes to the tobacco ordinance contained in Chapter 6, Section 6.20 of City Code.

Blesi says this update will update code to comply with recent changes to state statue regarding the legal age to purchase tobacco, increases the fines and the look back violation period for selling to minors and a reorganization of the chapter.

Donation

As part of the consent agenda, the city approved a donation to offset costs of a Basic Economic Development Course offered through the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).

Pflipsen said training funds had been budgeted for 2020 to allow for enrollment in the course and the Minnesota Economic Development Foundation also offered a scholarship to attend. Pflipsen received $300 towards the course, meaning only $200 from the budget is needed for the rest.

Up Next

The next Becker City Council meeting is Oct. 6 at 5 p.m.