The Becker City Council held a 25-minute meeting Tuesday in which they discussed committee reports, alcohol beverage licensing, a preliminary plat, a cable franchise agreement and heard from candidate Dennis Rzeszotarski on his concerns.

 

 

Dennis Rzeszotarski told council he had some feedback from area residents and business owners and wished to shared them.

 

Rzeszotarski said these constituents expressed to him that the City of Becker is unfriendly to residents and unfriendly to businesses. 

 

He cited Wilbur Lemmon as an example. Lemmon has been battling the city since 2015 about drainage issues he has on his property.

 

Rzeszotarski said he has heard numerous homebuyers backing out of purchasing because the building permits are too high compared to other local cities. 

 

He also said James Martin, a business owner who pays taxes, owns a vacant lot across from the fire department and wants to put in a modular home.

 

Rzeszotarski said he was told by Martin he needed a CUP even though Martin feels he doesn’t. He told Rzeszotarski he was angry with the city and threatened to move his modular home to Clear Lake.

 

It was noted later in Tuesday’s meeting that Martin relented and paid for the CUP.

 

Rzeszotarski mentioned several businesses — T.J. Potter, Novak Construction, Progressive, Haller Real Estate — as feeling they are being taxed out of the city.

As per city policy, no response was merited by council during open forum.

 

 

Clerk Julie Blesi asked council to hold a public hearing to consider changes to city code in regards to alcohol beverage licensing and regulations.

 

Blesi said city code currently restricts issuing liquor licenses to any establishment within 500 feet of any school or church. Upon researching the model language from the League of Minnesota Cities, Blesi learned this code is not required. She said staff followed up with other communities and discovered they have not adopted this code and have moved away from this requirement.

 

The public hearing demonstrated no objections and was closed at 6:15 p.m.

 

Council voted to approve the amendment and the summary for publication.

 

 

Marie Pflipsen said the city received an application from Carl S. Johnson for a preliminary plat for the River Bend Third Addition.

 

The plat would subdivide approximately 18 acres into 41 single-family home sites and three outlots.

 

Pflipsen said the subdivision is subject to a CUP for a Planned Unit Development (PUD) which was approved in 2005 in conjunction with the River Bend final plat. A condition of this approval requires further subdivision and development within the River Bend area be in accordance with the preliminary subdivision plat of River Bend.

 

The plat of River Bend Third Addition proposes to alter the layout and configuration of lots from what was previously laid out.

 

At their Sept. 24 meeting, the planning commission approved resolutions recommending approval of the preliminary plat.

 

 

CA Greg Pruszinske asked council to approve a resolution amending the term of their franchise agreement with Midcontinent Communications to allow for a six-month extension.

 

Pruszinske said the current agreement is set to expire Oct. 5. Since the grantor and the city are currently in negotiations to potentially renew the agreement — but are running out of time to get the process completed — the city is being asked to extend the current contract until April 5 of 2019.

 

 

The City of Becker is looking to re-brand their identity. They are asking interested parties to complete a short survey on the Becker city website.

Fourteen slogans are available to choose from or one can submit their own idea.

 

The city’s website is: www.ci.becker.mn.us.

 

 

• Mayor Tracy Bertram gave an update on what went on at the Xcel Energy community breakfast last week;

 

• Councilmember Lori Keller gave an update on budget & finance;

 

• Rick Hendrickson gave an update on the planning commission;

 

• Rick Huseman was celebrated for his one-year anniversary as deputy clerk.

 

 

The next Becker City Council meeting is Oct. 16 at 6 p.m.