The Becker Twp. Board met Monday with a full agenda.

 

The conditional use permit (CUP) for a personal storage was denied because the structure is larger than the size allowed. The owner is considering other options before proceeding. There was a request to change an ordinance due to noise for neighbors, but the decision was to leave the ordinance unchanged and perhaps continue the discussion at another time.

 

 

Road Supervisor Gary Gilbert has the following items on his docket:

 

• 164th Avenue SE – near The Hideout, Theco and Peterson Brothers needs to be rebuilt.  Engineer’s rough estimate for paving was presented.

 

• Profanity was spray-painted on one of the roads.  Black spray paint was used to cover, since it couldn’t be scrubbed off.  No other suggestions as the vandal is unknown.

 

• 175th Ave SE – still working on trees there.

 

• Jim Free will begin working on tree removal on 77th Street/Anderson road;

 

• Wruck Excavating will begin right of way brushing/clearing on 190th after letters are sent from clerk’s office.  Supervisor Gilbert has already spoken with homeowners and they are on board with what needs to be removed.

 

• Sample Barricade was displayed for placement on 107th and 120th streets before river.

 

• CIP Policy is still in the works. 

 

 

Xcel Energy has submitted a petition to the City of Becker to annex parcels located south-west of Hwy.  10.  They brought the request to Becker Twp. before the City of Becker took action.  Normally the City is to lead this process, not the Township.  

 

The City of Becker and Town of Becker have an orderly annexation agreement that defines procedures and how things are to occur.  It has served the township well. The supervisors want the City of Becker to follow proper procedure and take the lead on this. They want to make sure they have all proper documentation ready and then present it to the town board. This will likely occur next month.

 

There are 40 acres of trees on parcels which are going to stay, based on plan. If the tree health declines, then maybe they will be thinned out. Supposedly, six companies have expressed interest in moving to Becker, so Xcel wants the site annexed so they can start building. 

 

A discussion over whether or not to vote on this action occurred because the city was made aware of this situation months ago and did not inform the township until the week prior to the meeting after a township resident approached a board member and asked what was going on.  The board members were upset because the Orderly Annexation Agreement is made to avoid this type of surprise situation.

 

Township Supervisors decided not to act on the resolution request until after the City of Becker makes a decision on the petition. 

 

Pam Rasmussen, Dan Pfeiffer, Ryan Bruers and were all present on behalf of Xcel Energy. Marie Pflipsen attended from the City of Becker.

 

 

Work on 67th Street will be postponed until next month. Quotes sent from Santiago to Becker to be discussed next month.

 

There are letters on file directed to board from 2007 and 2012 regarding Boulder Crossing so it looks like roads were recommended and accepted in 2007 and maintenance of roads was not accepted until 50 percent of lots and homes were occupied (deferred to Frank). The development is only about 42 percent built up so far so there’s some time left. About $80,000 would have to be spent to fill existing cracks.

 

 

There are new radios to be installed in trucks. There was a high volume of calls (65) this month.

 

 

There are gutters coming soon. The wood pecker hole still needs replacement, and there are little snakes lingering about the town hall, so the board plans to handle them soon. 

 

 

The board has been working with city on bills and terms, some double billing issues. A good chunk of money should be coming back to the board. When those problems get figured out, other bills to the city will be paid. 

 

 

Township Attorney Kelli Bourgeois, has accepted a position as city manager in Columbia Heights which might include conflicting meetings with those in Becker. The position starts Jan. 1. 

 

Conflicts would be with town planning commission and joint planning board. Board will take some time to decide how they want to handle this. Kelli has expressed being able to continue with Becker responsibilities as much as possible if the township allows. 

 

 

Sheriff’s department reported 36 made to Becker Twp.

 

The next township meeting will take place Dec. 17.