The recent Big Lake City Council meeting kicked off on a high note, as two new officers were sworn in to the Big Lake Police Department. Chris Thull and Bill Saliterman were sworn in to duty by Mayor Paul Knier.
In other police news, two internal promotions were made as a part of the consent agenda. Officers Sam Norlin and Guy Chaffee were both promoted to the rank of patrol sergeant, and Officer Sam Olson was promoted to the position of police captain.
Open Forum
This reporter, Katherine Cantin, was the sole speaker during open forum. She noted that, in previous years, the city has opted to use Star News as their legal newspaper, and requested that the council consider the Patriot for this purpose for 2023, noting that the Patriot is delivered to every Big Lake home while the Elk River Star News, the city’s current legal newspaper, is delivered only on a subscription basis. Cantin believed that this made the Patriot the better choice in terms of government transparency.
Towing Contract
The city received two bids for a towing contract, one from Bob’s Towing and one from Collins Bros. Towing Inc. Historically, Bob’s Towing has provided this service for the city, and they were the cheaper option, but their property was found to not be in compliance with city ordinance. They are renting the property in question and were not able to make the required improvements. Since the property was not in compliance, staff recommended the council opt to sign a contract with Collins Bros.
Council Member Sam Hanson asked that the decision be tabled until March, when Bob’s Towing will be finished with their lease and can find a more suitable property for their operations.
Council Member Ken Halverson pushed back against that motion, reminding the board that Bob’s Towing had about nine months to get their property into compliance but failed to do so. He believed that it was not right to allow them extra time to remedy the situation as their competitor was already in compliance.
Ultimately, a motion to table the decision until March carried 3-2.
Admin’s Report
City Administrator Hanna Klimmek reported that she had attended a meeting held by Xcel Energy regarding the solar farm in Becker. Construction on the solar farm will begin in the spring. She also reported on an update regarding the Sherco plant decommissioning. She noted that it makes up a significant portion of the county tax base. Xcel pays for around 12% of the county’s taxes (although Klimmek misspoke at the meeting, stating it made up 75% of the county tax base. Xcel makes up 75% of Becker City’s tax base, but only 12% of the county’s tax base. Klimmek asked that the correction be available to Patriot readers.) Xcel will be holding quarterly informational meetings beginning next year, and Klimmek planned to update the board after each.
The City Wellness Committee spearheaded a campaign to collect donations from city staff which were donated to the Big Lake Schools’ Angel Fund, which pays for lunch for students who cannot afford it.
Klimmek thanked the city plow drivers for all their recent hard work.
In Other Business, the Council:
• Granted a temporary construction easement to Sherburne County for work being done on Co. Rd. 43;
• Appointed individuals to the planning commission and the economic development authority;
• Recognized Scott Zettervall for his seven years of service on the planning commission;
• Set the tax levy for 2023 (the Truth in Taxation meeting was held at an earlier meeting;
• Held a public meeting for storm water pollution prevention;
• Heard department reports from the BLFD and the BLPD.
