Celina Gustafson inquired about dust control measures on her road, 77th Street. It was deemed good timing on her part since the board had just reviewed dust control estimates the night prior.  Gustafson was told the plan was to include dust control in this year's roads.

 

A review was taken of all minimum maintenance roads in the township and board directed to have the engineer draw up the legal descriptions for each.  It was determined a portion that became part of Co. Rd. 4 needs to be reviewed to be sure appropriate actions were taken to vacate that section.

 

A special meeting has been called for May 24 at 6 p.m. for bid opening. Becker, Clear Lake and Palmer townships are uniting for bidding purposes for their road work after the county rejected bids earlier this spring. Engineer estimates were presented to the board Monday.

 

The board was advised a landscaper damaged the township right of way along Garden Grove road.  Engineer Terrance VanderEyk said he contacted them to repair the damage and reminded them that a permit is required for work in the right of way.

 

Eyk said 185th Avenue will see a lot of truck traffic resulting in further deterioration of road surface starting June 5.  This is unavoidable, he says,  as the township plans to start the rebuild process for a section of 185th later this summer.  The borrow for the rebuilding of 185th Avenue will be trucked in. People driving that route are asked to please slow down and drive with care.

 

The township will keep the roadway passable by having gravel brought in as the road surface deteriorates.  Permits are still in the works for the complete rebuild of 185th Avenue.  Eyk said this is a large road project that will take several years to complete.  

 

Clerk Lucinda Messman said citizens can check the Becker Township website for updates and a copy of the preliminary plans are on display at the Becker Town Hall during office hours.  

 

Eyk said a bid letting is planned for July for 137th Street.  This project is still in approval stage.  Eyk is sending plans to all utilities in the area now.

 

Brushing quotes will be sought for this year's roads in need of brushing.

 

The township’s snowplowing contract was finalized.  Information for sealed bids will be posted.  The contract will consist of one year running Sept. 1, 2016 through June 1, 2017.  Attorney Kelli Bourgeois reviewed the contract to see about bidding for a multi-year period next time.  Bid opening is planned for July’s regular board meeting.

 

The township’s planning commission held a public hearing Monday for Ordinance 2016-03. The primary discussion was in regards to personal storage structures.  Other items in the ordinance include updated definitions, changes to conditional use permits in general, rural and agriculture districts, cleaning up the administrative section, updating the fines section and amending the variance language to follow state statute. 

 

 Though this ordinance has not been passed yet, the township has already received two applications for personal storage structures.  The two applicants will receive a letter that their applications are incomplete since they do not comply with the current ordinance.  

 

The town board said they will hold them until the joint planning board meeting May 24 to see how that vote goes or if things are tabled for some reason.

 

• The township’s fund balance policy was approved;

 

• The treasurers report was approved and warrants are to be paid;

 

• A new election equipment contract with Sherburne County was approved and signed;

 

• The township is to become a member for state pricing, though prices still need to be checked through state pricing as well as other venues prior to selections being completed. 

 

The next Becker Township Board meeting is June 20 at 7 p.m.