Becker City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Citizen Concern: Crosswalk Safety on River and Banks Street
Freedom Days Proclamation and Suspension of Rules
Budget, Finance, and Golf Committee Updates
Edgewood Street and Trail Improvements
Wastewater Facility PLC Replacements
Establishment of Police Sergeant Position
Edgewood Village Planned Unit Development and Preliminary Plat
MRX Meter Reading Unit Replacements
Folsom Fields 3rd Addition Development Agreement
Votes (8)
Edgewood Trail Improvement Bid Award
Dissent: None
Moved by Mike [00:26:38] · Seconded by Robin [00:26:42]
Mr. Knudson (Phil) presented Resolution 2653 for the Edgewood Trail Improvement project. Five contractors bid, with Capital Paving being the lowest at $2,086,467, significantly under the engineer's estimate of $2,700,000. An additional $20,000 allowance was requested for independent material testing, a state requirement. Funds are sufficient due to advance funding from MSAS. The project aims to improve safety and drainage.
Edgewood Easement Agreement
Dissent: None
Moved by Becky [00:29:43] · Seconded by Mike [00:29:48]
Mr. Knudson (Phil) presented Resolution 2652 for an easement agreement related to the Edgewood project. This easement is needed to realign a trail and incorporate a right-turn lane, improving corridor traffic, pedestrian, and bicycle safety. The agreement with property owner Marty Harstad and interested developers is an in-kind exchange for improvements, meaning no direct payment or assessment, making it a win-win for all parties.
Wastewater Treatment Facility PLC Replacements
Dissent: None
Moved by Mike [00:37:06] · Seconded by Robin [00:37:10]
Mr. Wilson (Chris) presented Resolution 2649 for the replacement of three Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) at the wastewater facility. These PLCs, installed in 2005, are 21 years old and obsolete, making parts and support unavailable. The proactive replacement, budgeted in the enterprise CIPs, aims to prevent process interruptions when the units inevitably fail. The quoted price is $81,618, with a 10% contingency for unforeseen electrical work.
Police Sergeant Position
Dissent: None
Moved by Robin [00:46:11] · Seconded by Becky [00:46:15]
Chief presented Resolution 2646 to establish a police sergeant position. This role is intended to fill a critical supervisory gap, especially for night shifts and less experienced officers. The chief noted that combining the lieutenant and investigator roles previously led to insufficient direct supervision. The sergeant will focus on first-line supervision, policy compliance, scheduling, and training. The wage scale was approved, aligning with internal and external reviews, with an estimated revised budget impact of $52,000 for a likely August start.
Planned Unit Development and Preliminary Plat for Edgewood Village
Dissent: None
Moved by Mike [00:52:43] · Seconded by Becky [00:52:47]
Mr. Peterson (Austin) presented Resolutions 2650 and 2651 for Edgewood Village. This 19.23-acre mixed-use residential development proposes 215 dwelling units across various building types. A PUD was requested for specific dimensional standard adjustments, including reduced lot widths, depths, and front yard setbacks. Key conditions include required amendments from the city engineer's review, a fee in lieu of parkland dedication ($200,000), and stormwater management via three infiltration basins. The project is contingent on TIF approval and an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW). The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval.
Suspension of Rules for Freedom Days
Dissent: None
Moved by Becky [00:56:07] · Seconded by Mike [00:56:10]
Chief presented Resolution 2647 for the annual suspension of certain city rules during Freedom Days (June 13-20). This is a standard procedure to allow for parade activities, temporary signage, and other event-specific allowances without public safety issues, preventing the need for ticketing for non-compliance with everyday ordinances. All specific rules for suspension were identified in the RCA.
MRX Meter Reading Unit Replacements
Dissent: None
Moved by Robin [01:00:23] · Seconded by Mike [01:00:27]
Mr. Wilson (Chris) presented Resolution 2648 to approve the purchase of a replacement MRX water meter reading unit. The current unit is unusable due to age and unavailability of parts. A loaner unit is currently in use, but a permanent replacement is needed to continue reading meters and collecting revenue. The estimated lifespan for planning purposes is 8 years, and the purchase price is $15,000, with a 10% contingency.
Development Agreement with Fossom Fields 3rd Addition
Dissent: None
Moved by Mike [01:03:59] · Seconded by Robin [01:04:02]
Mr. Peterson (Austin) presented Resolution 2654 for the development agreement for Fossom Fields 3rd Addition (Sugar Maple Company LLC). This agreement, a prerequisite before construction and plat recording, outlines requirements such as a letter of credit or cash escrow (amount pending engineer's review), and a reduced parkland dedication fee of $30,392.09 for phase one's 31 lots. The $8,000 escrow fees for administrative costs have already been submitted. The project is a two-phase development.
Notable Quotes (12)
good news is the work uh the bids came back in very favorable for the city.
The bids came back about $500,000 less than we originally anticipated. So, we're feeling good about that.
We've not looked to to assess any of the properties or require payment for that, but kind of an in kind for the the improvements that we're making to the Luwak Drive are proposed. They would give us this in exchange for the assessments on it. So, win-win for everybody and improves corridor traffic, pedestrian and bicycle safety along that corridor as well.
expected life for a PLC is 10 to 20 years. Um oftentimes, the physical hardware itself will last longer, but the support for that hardware and more parts and availability is is gone in a shorter amount of time.
instead of doing that when they fail and being kind of behind the eight ball and potentially having uh interruption in our treatment process, we're trying to do that proactively.
the lieutenant role has more administrative duties, but because it was combined with investigations, that role did not allow for much supervision of our night shift patrols.
As our department grows, well, we need to fill vacancies and those officers with the least amount of experience typically work the night shift and then therefore should have the most supervision.
A PUD was requested to establish some dimensional standards, specifically a reduced reduced lot width, lot depths, and a 20-ft front yard setback for some of the certain twin home lots around the cul-de-sac.
Approval of the PUD and plat becomes null and void if TIF is not approved or if either developer decides to withdraw or not proceed.
Yes, the alternative is we ticket everyone in the parade.
we're asking for a replacement, um approval to buy a replacement unit so we can continue reading meters and collect the revenue from the water usage from the residents.
Per condition number 13 of that resolution, the developer, Sugar Maple Company LLC, wants to execute a development agreement before construction begins and before the final plat is recorded.
Ordinances & Resolutions (21)
Awarding the contract for Edgewood Street Improvement Project.
Approving the Edgewood Easement Agreement.
Approving the wastewater treatment facility PLC replacement project.
Approving the police sergeant job description, wage scale, and posting.
Approving the PUD conditional use permit for Edgewood Village.
Approving the preliminary plat for Edgewood Village.
Providing for the suspension of certain rules during Freedom Days activities.
Approving the purchase of a replacement MRX water meter reading unit.
Approving the development agreement for Fossom Fields 3rd Addition.
Council approved density amendments to the comprehensive plan and UEL (referenced as prior action).
Council previously approved the final plat for Fossom Fields 3rd (referenced as prior action).
Approving the Greater Minnesota Housing Infrastructure Grant signers and representatives (Consent Agenda).
Approving election judge appointments (Consent Agenda).
Requested to establish specific dimensional standards for Edgewood Village.
For the Edgewood Village mixed-use residential development.
For Fossom Fields 3rd Addition, previously approved.
Required for the Edgewood Village project, and PUD/plat approval is conditional on TIF approval.
Required before construction on the Edgewood Village project.
Estimated cost for the Edgewood Trail Improvement project, $2,700,000.
Agreement approved May 5th, 2026, referenced in Edgewood Village context.
Consultant for citywide wage scale review, confirmed C51 DVM rating for sergeant position.