A packed agenda and a couple dozen constituents greeted the Becker Town Board at its meeting Monday evening, as the board took nearly three hours to finish its business.
First on the agenda was the opening of bids for snowplowing and ice removal on the township roads for the upcoming winter season. Chairman Brian Kolbinger opened the lone sealed bid submitted by Wruck Excavating. A fleet of trucks ($72 an hour), a grader ($95 an hour) and several loaders ($85-$90 an hour) would be used to clean the roadways under the proposal.
After a brief discussion, the Board awarded the bid to Wruck with a 4-0 unanimous vote, as Supervisor Joe Danielson was absent from the meeting.
Township Outlots
Several residents were on hand from the Deer Ridge and Oak Crest Estates developments to hear from the board on future plans for the township owned area between a double cul-de-sac in the 172nd Avenue area. In the past, residents have placed boulders and trees on township property in an attempt to discourage vehicle traffic from trying to drive between the cul-de-sacs or through other right of ways owned by the township.
Because this has been happening across several areas of the township, the board has been staking the corners of its right of way properties recently in an attempt to identify the publicly owned boundaries.
Residents Kelly and Jonathon Woods addressed the board as to the future plans of this property.
“There are no plans for a roadway at this time, but this is township right of way and we want people to be clear about that,” said Supervisor Gary Gilbert. “Right now there are eight large boulders in the right of way and we have these issues because the areas are not marked.”
One resident noted area residents have been taking care of the property, mowing it and are trying to keep it looking nice for the neighborhood and now it feels like people are losing their property.
“I want to be clear that this is township property and no one is losing any property’” said Chair Brian Kolbinger.
“We’re trying to be reasonable, but no one would go and plant trees on their neighbors property without permission,” added Gilbert. “We’ve never asked homeowners to maintain the right of ways.”
The board explained these types of issues have been brought to their attention as they have reviewed their insurance coverage. In other cases, state law requires right of way obstructions to be removed.
“We are behind in getting some of our right of ways cleared up,” said Supervisor Luke Babler. “But we want people to remember that we’re not doing this just because we can. We also have an insurance company that we have to work with to limit the township’s liability.”
The issue of area homeowners buying the property from the township came up from one resident as one way in which the township could remove the liability issue.
“While there are no current plans for a road to go in there, who knows what that area might look like in 50 years,” said Supervisor Brad Wilkening. “We have to think long term for the township.”
Chair Kolbinger stated that the township has not been in the business of selling its right of way properties at this point when it could have an impact on future roadways or development.
The board ultimately directed Wes Davis to bring some options regarding barricades at the end of the cul-de-sacs to the next meeting.
Township resident Dennis Schmidt next spoke to the board in regards to the removal of a township easement from the area next to his property.
“Every seven or eight years, the idea of a road through this property comes up,” said Schmidt.
Gilbert addressed the situation stating that there are no current pans for a roadway in that area.
“That’s not an easement,” said Gilbert. “Just like the other areas, we are going to stake the corners and identify it as township property,”
Swimming Pools
The board held a public hearing regarding a proposed amendment to the ordinance regulating swimming pools. Ben Wikstrom, planning consultant, explained that the language being proposed was taken directly from the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code. Currently, pool owners are required to have a fence surrounding the pool, along with a removable ladder to be used in exiting the pool. However, with the advancement of powered safety covers, there is no longer a need for the fencing and ladder requirements.
The board voted to adopt the amendment to the ordinance, which states: Where pools are equipped with a powered safety cover that complies with the ASTM F1346 Standard Performance Specification for Manual Safety Covers, the areas where those pools are located shall not be required to comply with the fencing or ladder requirement.
Engineer’s Report
Township Engineer Wes Davis updated the board on several road projects, including the punch list for 185th avenue. While many items had already been taken care of, Davis was concerned about pooling water that is occurring on the north end near the intersection with Co. Rd. 4.
The contractor, Knife River, is aware of the pooling and is going to install a skid patch which should alleviate the concern for this winter and next year the patch would be covered by the wear course of asphalt.
Davis next addressed the issue of initial driveways in the township.
“Some builders are not contacting me ahead of time and this results in some culverts not being installed at the proper depth,” said Davis.
When this happens, it sometimes creates future water and drainage issues for neighboring landowners.
Gilbert explained to the board that he and Davis would be adding a step to the permitting process to ensure that elevations of the culvert are done correctly the first time.
“We will make sure that the drainage plan doesn’t get modified from the original elevations,” added Gilbert.
In other business, the board:
• Heard from Sgt. Dan Frank of the Sheriff’s Office who reported 100 calls
