Several members of the Becker Wastewater Treatment Facility were honored at Tuesday’s city council meeting for their outstanding operations.

 

The City of Becker recently received a Certificate of Commendation from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) for their outstanding operation, maintenance and management of the WWTF for the year of 2014. The WWTF has received five of these awards since 2007 and a total of 13 since 1977.

 

The award recognizes that the WWTF was overseen by a properly certified operator, the facility did not exceed the effluent limits contained in the discharge permit, all required monthly and annual reports were timely and complete and the facility did not experience any bypasses, enforcement actions or inspections identifying significant compliance concerns.

 

The staff at the WWTF recognized Tuesday were Mark Griffin, Gerald Lanz, Robert Rierson, Jeremy Halvorson and Supervisor Dave Pesola. Missing was Mike Barringer.

Peace Officers Week

 

Mayor Lefty Kleis read aloud a document proclaiming the week of May 10-16 as peace officers week in the City of Becker. 

 

The observation is to commemorate and thank the city’s police officers — past and present — who by their faithful and loyal devotion to their responsibilities, have rendered a dedicated service to their communities and — in doing so — have established themselves an enviable and enduring reputation for preserving the rights and security of all citizens.

 

Kleis reminded residents it is important to know and understand the problems, duties and responsibilities of the BPD and that the members of the BPD be recognized for their duty to serve people by safeguarding life and property, by protecting them against violence and disorder and by protecting the innocent against deception and the weak against oppression or intimidation.

 

City Administrator Greg Pruszinske presented two resolutions for council to act upon including a notice for council direction and a temporary construction easement granted to BNSF.

 

Pruszinske said it was imperative the city prepare and send a letter of intent to BNSF letting them know the city is in fact intent on moving the BNSF second rail project forward. BNSF plans to install a second rail from Big Lake to Becker this summer.

 

Pruszinske said BNSF is looking to purchase three city-owned parcels along Hwy. 10 to work on the project but since the city has not yet received the ALTA survey results, they are not able to enter into a purchase agreement at this time. Since BNSF wants to start the project as soon as this week, Pruszinske wanted to get council to understand in order to move the project along, the city needed to verify its intent.

 

In the second resolution, Pruszinske talked about the land to be purchased at $1.58 a square foot. the land is estimated at approximately 0.496 acres. 

 

The city is also proposing to acquire an easement for the realignment of Hancock Street. The easement will allow Ames Construction to work on Becker’s property on the current project.

 

The final sale of the properties will come back to council at a later date as soon as all the details and numbers are hammered out.

 

• Becker has been approved by the state to issue Pebble Creek Golf Course an on-sale intoxicating and Sunday liquor license for the 2015 season;

 

• A partial pay request was administered for the WWTF clarifier project in the amount of $42,275 — leaving a construction contract amount of $17,150;

 

• Council discussed the WWTF refurbishment project slated to have details begin this month and a bid for contract going out in September or October.

 

The next Becker City Council meeting is May 19 at 5 p.m.