The Becker City Council (minus Mike Doering and resigned Todd Hanrahan) dealt with a waterslide refurbishment, streets & trails and a call for a public hearing for snow removal charges.

 

The meeting lasted 22 minutes. Next month, council meeting times will move up to 5 p.m. for the summer months.

 

 

Early in 2019, Recreation Service Manager Bartt Gevens and Rec & Leisure AD Josh Kuha were looking at the condition of the pool area during a walkabout at Becker Community Center. Although the waterslide had looked rough cosmetically, Kuha told council a closer look revealed some structural concerns that needed to be investigated. 

 

“It was at that point our city administrator (Greg Pruszinske) recommended engaging SEH to evaluate the condition,” said Kuha. 

 

Kuha and staff began investigating what companies were available for repair and/or replacement of waterslides. What they learned is that there are not many options. However, Kuha was able to secure a bid for refurbishing and repairing the existing waterslide and structure from Fischer Bros. 

 

For comparative context, Kuha also received a second estimate for a like-for-like rebuild from Lemmie Jones. 

 

“When we met with the Structural Engineers, our concerns were legitimized by their findings,” said Kuha. “We also at that time had the estimate for repair so that structural could look at the proposed plan.”

 

Another part of the repair project, Kuha told council, is of critical importance and mentioned throughout the attachments he supplied. He mentioned the vertical beams that support the large window structures of BCC are also deteriorating, but the quote from Fischer Bros. already included a repair quote to address this concern. 

 

Kuha said staff recommended going with the repair/refurbish quote instead of outright replacement. 

 

“It will buy us 10-15 years of use and allow us to properly allocate funds for any future replacement should that deem warranted,” he said. 

 

The availability of these companies is very limited, so Kuha hasays he has a time window in August of this year to address the repairs. He also noted that while the structural engineer did not say that the waterslide or support beams are of immediate danger to the community, the problem should be addressed as soon as possible. 

 

During this process, Kuha says, staff has held off on any 2019 capital improvement projects for the year in case they are needed to redeploy funds to this more immediate concern. He said staff will advocate for the 2019 CIP to cover this expense.

 

 

Chris Lisson asked council to approve the authorization to have SEH create plans and specifications for the 2019 streets & trails project.

 

Lisson said his staff, after utilizing information on the trail maintenance and street improvement plan, it was determined that trail section 11 (along 3rd Street from Donnelly Street to Brenda Boulevard) and Parkview Drive and the cul-de-sacs — were in the greatest need of replacement.

 

Inspections by staff confirmed these areas are in need of replacement work. Along with replacing the pavement, drainage issues would alos be addressed.

 

Lisson says $900,000 was set aside in the 2019 street CIP and $108,000 was set aside in the 2019 parks & trails CIP to cover costs for this project.

 

 

Lisson said on the dates of Jan. 4, and 7 — and March 5-6 — maintenance workers cleared snow on numerous sidewalks throughout the city. Notices were sent out Jan.  15, March 5 and March 8 to affected property owners, notifying them of the work that was completed and giving them 30 days to pay the fee of $75. 

 

To date, there are 44 properties who have not paid for these services. If left unpaid, the charges will be assessed against their property for taxes payable 2020.

 

Prior to certifying these charges, the city is required to schedule a public hearing and notify the property owners of the date and time of the hearing. 

 

Council approved the call and set the public hearing for  June 4 at around 5 p.m. to consider the assessment of unpaid snow removal charges. 

 

 

The next Becker City Council meeting is June 4 at 5 p.m.