In response to requests from the community, the Becker Parks & Rec dept. has been looking into installing a splash pad in the green lot next to the Becker Community Center (BCC). Josh Kuha, Rec & Leisure director, said the project would take 10 weeks to complete once approved, and the ribbon cutting ceremony could possibly take place during the city’s Freedom Days celebration. Kuha highlighted the many benefits the splash pad would have, including needing little maintenance and staffing, and serving young families in the area (one third of Becker residents are children under the age of 18) with an activity that was free and safe.

Originally, $150,000 was budgeted for this project, but Kuha asked the council to approve nearly $175,000 be allocated to the project. Mayor Tracy Bertram was not a fan of the increase. She said that, normally, she would prefer to use money to improve amenities in the city, rather than create new ones. The BCC has still not recovered from the hit it took from COVID-19, and she thought this was not the right time to be spending money on a new splash pad. 

The other council members also seemed hesitant. However council member Mike Doering, who had seen the project come together, was convinced that it would be a great asset to the city and that the council should move forward. After Doering made a motion to move forward, council members Rick Hendrickson and Robin Dingmann decided to also approve the motion. Becky Olmscheid was absent, and so did not vote, and Bertram had the sole dissenting vote. 

Annual Police Report

Chief Brent Baloun presented the 2020 annual police report. The department had an eventful year with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Northern Metals Recycling Fire, the civil unrest over the summer, and the political rally in October. Baloun said he is hoping to fill his second in command position sometime soon. 

The complete police report, including statistical information for the department, is available to view on the BPD webpage, at ci.Becker.mn.us/232/Annual-Reports.

Baloun finished his report by thanking the officers and reserve officers who put in a lot of hours last year. Doering said he thought Baloun and his department did a great job.

KC Danes Home Breeding Business

Following up on a recent public hearing, the council made a final motion regarding the KC Danes conditional use permit (CUP). The applicant, Kelli Rahn, wished to start a dog breeding business in her home at 11525 Parkview Dr., a property adjacent to the golf course. 

Several of Rahn’s neighbors and friends shared their support or objection to the CUP. In the end, the council decided to reject the application, since Rahn had violated city policy by having more than three dogs on her property and her neighbors were concerned about the noise and the smell that would come with having many dogs on the property. 

New Bank Account

The council authorized finance director Connie Robinson to open a new bank account for the city. This was an action required by the state for the money received by the bonding bill. The city was also required to match $786,100 of the funds in the account. 

Protesting

The council adopted a new city ordinance stating protesting would not be allowed in residential areas. This is a result of events last year in which citizens of another city protested outside the home of their police chief. Baloun thought it would be prudent to adopt a law disallowing protests in residential neighborhoods.

He stressed that this was not a law meant to take away the rights of individuals to protest, but rather to keep residential areas safe for those who lived there. Council member Hendrickson was very supportive of this ordinance adoption.

“My rights stop once they infringe on your rights,” he said, explaining the rationale behind the new ordinance.