Becker City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
2025 Annual Audit Report Presentation
Compensation Study for City Staff
2026 Street Improvements Engineering Services
Luanne Drive Engineering and Design Services
Pebble Creek Golf Course Path Reconfiguration
Folsom Fields Third Addition Development Approvals
Amendments to Residential Density Standards
Becker Community Center Aquatics Area Renovation
Return of Local Post Office Operations
Votes (11)
Approval of Compensation Study Agreement with Flaherty and Hood
Dissent: None
Moved by Rick [0:17:15] · Seconded by Mike [0:17:16]
The Personnel Committee recommended Flaherty and Hood for the compensation study, citing their low bid of $8,500 compared to the budgeted $25,000 and an average of $23,000 from 12 proposals. Staff confirmed Flaherty and Hood's reputable firm and the proposal met the city's need for a market analysis without additional unrequested services like benefits analysis or full system redesign. The study is projected to be completed in 4 to 6 weeks.
Approval of SLA with SEH for 2026 Street Improvements
Dissent: None
Moved by Mike [0:18:21] · Seconded by Rick [0:18:23]
The Public Services Director presented a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with SEH for construction services for the 2026 street improvements. The agreement, costing $86,900, is within the street Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) budget. The use of Jerry Siegfried from SEH was specifically requested due to his familiarity with the community and quality of work in ensuring project compliance.
Approval of SLA with SEH for Luanne Drive Engineering
Dissent: None
Moved by Becky [0:20:47] · Seconded by Robin [0:20:48]
An SLA with SEH was proposed for engineering final design and bid services to connect Luanne Drive to Edgewood, including full infrastructure development. The cost, not to exceed $68,000, is outside of any grant funding and will be drawn from future improvement funds. There is urgency from the development side to get design work done quickly for a potential July bid, depending on grant dollar timing.
Approval of Pebble Creek Golf Path Improvements (Holes 10 & 11)
Dissent: None
Moved by Mike [0:23:05] · Seconded by Robin [0:23:06]
Path improvements for golf course holes 10 and 11 at Pebble Creek were discussed, a necessary realignment due to county road improvements (Kessal 23). The cart path will be moved to the east side of the tea boxes. Hanson Paving, a repeated low-bid contractor, was selected for the $10,200 project. The Public Services Director recommended funding from the street Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) due to the external cause of the realignment, a logic supported by the council.
Approval of Planned Unit Development (PUD) Conditional Use Permit for Folsom Fields Third Addition
Dissent: None
Moved by Robin [0:29:05] · Seconded by Becky [0:29:06]
The PUD Conditional Use Permit for Folsom Fields Third Addition, proposing 52 lots on 16.52 acres, was approved. This approval includes several deviations from standard single-family zoning, such as reduced minimum lot width (to 65 ft), depth (to 120 ft), area (to 7,800 sq ft), and garage side setbacks (to 5 ft). The development is planned in two phases, with Phase 1 comprising 31 lots. Planning Commission recommended approval after a public hearing with no comments.
Approval of Preliminary Plat for Folsom Fields Third Addition
Dissent: None
Moved by Robin [0:29:32] · Seconded by Rick [0:29:33]
Following the PUD approval, the preliminary plat for Folsom Fields Third Addition, outlining the layout for the 52-lot, two-phase development, received council approval. Key conditions for the development include a required executed development agreement, addressing city engineer concerns, inspection of existing infrastructure from 2005, and application of current park dedication fees. The plat also mandates specific trail and sidewalk installations, a vegetative buffer, and varied home architectural styles.
Approval of Final Plat for Folsom Fields Third Addition
Dissent: None
Moved by Robin [0:30:00] · Seconded by Rick [0:30:01]
The final plat for Folsom Fields Third Edition was approved, concluding the application process for this 52-lot residential development. This approval signifies the detailed layout and conditions are now formally accepted. The project is anticipated to begin with Phase 1 construction in late summer.
Approval of Comprehensive Plan Density Amendments
Dissent: None
Moved by Becky [0:31:41] · Seconded by Mike [0:31:42]
The council approved a resolution to amend the city's 2040 Comprehensive Plan, adjusting residential density standards. This amendment modifies the definition of medium density residential to 6-10 units per acre and high density residential to greater than 10 units per acre. This change aligns with a broader evaluation of city-wide impacts and typical practices in cities of similar size, receiving unanimous support after a public hearing with no comments.
Approval of Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Density Amendments
Dissent: None
Moved by Mike [0:31:54] · Seconded by Robin [0:31:55]
Concurrent with the Comprehensive Plan update, the council approved an ordinance to amend the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). This amendment formally integrates the new residential density standards, defining multi-family low as 6-10 units per acre and multi-family high as greater than 10 units per acre, ensuring consistency between the city's long-range plan and its zoning regulations. The planning commission had recommended approval.
Approval of Becker Community Center Aquatics Project
Dissent: None
Moved by Mike [0:37:13] · Seconded by Becky [0:37:14]
A resolution was approved to move forward with the Becker Community Center Aquatics project, a major renovation budgeted at $529,000 with an expected cost of $513,000. The project addresses aging infrastructure (32+ years old) and aims to modernize the pool area, replacing critical systems like heat exchangers, pumps, and filters, replastering the pool, and updating play features. The work is scheduled for 4-6 weeks in August 2026, with Monticello Community Center providing alternative aquatic access.
Consent Agenda Approval
Dissent: None
Moved by Robin [0:37:58] · Seconded by Mike [0:37:59]
The consent agenda, encompassing various routine approvals and administrative items, was approved. This included the hiring and termination report, authorization for $559,657.25 in claims payments for May 5, 2026, approval of electronic transactions, minutes from previous meetings, the 2027 budget preparation calendar, a new cannabis micro business license for Great Cannabis LLC, a test well agreement with MPCA, and the acceptance of the 2025 annual comprehensive financial report and audit results.
Notable Quotes (11)
So, you have in front of you the comp study request for proposals that were received. Um the city had redone had done a complete overhaul of their compensation um system in 2022. And as part of that, they said um like 3 to 5 years you should do a comp study to make sure that you are staying within the market. So, we're at 2026, we put out request for proposals the end of March.
And I called and talked to them to make sure we weren't missing something. Um and they're just and all we really wanted was a comp study for a market analysis. Some of the other proposals would throw in a benefits analysis or redoing our whole um system. And we have the decision-based method system and we're very comfortable with that. Um, so there was a lot of other things that were put in some of the proposals that we didn't request.
In essence, what it does is we've we've got an inspector on site making sure that what's in our bid documents is is being performed on our city streets. So, Jerry Siegfried with SEH has been in town since I've been here. We requested him because he's so familiar with the community does a great job for us.
As you know, this work is outside of our master agreement, so we use the SLA's. But, tonight looking for that so we can get started. The SLA is proposed at 68,000, a number not to exceed 68,000 dollars and SEH can get moving on this relatively quick depending on how the grant dollars fall in play. This isn't qualified under the grant. This is a cost that we would bear and we're looking at doing that out of the future improvement funds.
I'm recommending that we bring this in as a a cost to our streets uh projects because um of the street is why we're doing this. Uh and that's where I would I would recommend the funding comes from the street CIP for that. We could We do have funds that we could use from golf CIP, but I don't believe that that would be appropriate, but I would follow your lead on on where it goes.
The PUD requests a few um deviations from the standard um single-family detached zoning district. Um notably, it'd be the minimum lot width would be reduced from 80 feet to 65 feet, The minimum lot death depth, sorry, would be reduced from 136 ft to 120 ft. Minimum lot area reduced from a little under 11,000 sq ft to 7,800 sq ft. And then, the last notable one would be the side yard setbacks for the garages would be reduced to 5 ft rather than 10.
City engineer has completed a preliminary review and has noted a few concerns, similar to those from the 2022 submittal. Um written comments will be provided to the applicant and must be addressed to the city engineer's satisfaction prior to recording of the plat. Um the existing infrastructure from 2005, um some sanitary sewer stubs, water stubs, they must be, um inspected, exposed, and verified before the new construction begins.
So, our current standard in the comprehensive plan is in medium density at 6 to 12 units and in high density it's 12 greater than 12 units. So, the application that was submitted um would amend that. Uh the application also was submitted on behalf of a potential development, the one on Luanne that we've talked about before. When we looked at this though, we have to look at this at the impacts on the entire city.
Uh typically when of cities of our size, the densities are pretty wide um in their range, anywhere from 10 to 30 plus minimum densities. Um so, wide variety for cities of our size. And as we analyzed that and evaluated the broader implications of it, we were comfortable recommending that uh the ordinance be amended.
Our vision has been to elevate the Becker Community Center aquatic area to a similar standard that residents experience at high-quality regional facilities such as Maple Grove and Shoreview. We wanted to create a space that feels more modern, welcoming, and engaging for families. Our goal was not to simply repair aging systems, but to refresh the environment so it feels inviting, exciting, and even carries the same energy that you might see at a small water park.
Several major systems are original and have reached the end of their expected lifespan. Some equipment is now obsolete, and that makes making repairs nearly impossible. Delaying improvements increases the likelihood of emergency breakdowns, extended pool closures, higher repair costs, and reduced service to residents.
Ordinances & Resolutions (22)
Approving agreement with Flaherty and Hood for compensation study.
Approving Service Level Agreement (SLA) with SEH for 2026 street improvements.
Approving Service Level Agreement (SLA) with SEH for Luanne Drive engineering services.
Approving agreement with Hanson Paving for Pebble Creek golf course path improvements.
Approving Planned Unit Development (PUD) Conditional Use Permit for Folsom Fields Third Addition.
Approving Preliminary Plat for Folsom Fields Third Addition.
Approving Final Plat for Folsom Fields Third Addition.
Amending the 2040 Comprehensive Plan unit densities.
Amending the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) related to multi-family low and high zoning districts.
Approving the Becker Community Center Aquatics project.
Report on the city's financial audit for the year ended December 31, 2025.
Document issued for the compensation study.
City's plan for capital projects, referenced for street improvements and BCC aquatics.
City ordinance governing development, subject to amendment.
City's long-range plan, subject to amendment for density standards.
Required for Folsom Fields Third Addition before construction or final plat recording.
Legislation tested for compliance during the audit.
Original Folsom Fields development approval in 2004.
Approving the 2027 budget preparation calendar.
Approving test well agreement with MPCA for well number six monitoring.
Approving and accepting the annual comprehensive financial report and audit results for the year ended December 31, 2025.
New license for Great Cannabis LLC.