Benson public meetings in 2020
15 substantive meetings from 2020, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
City Council
The City Council designated McKinney’s on Southside Banquet Room as the 2021 polling place and approved several property assessments for demolition, mowing, and utilities. The body also discussed the local COVID-19 vaccination response and approved a land lease extension.
- Sylte farm land lease extension to Brandon and Corey Goff for $28,668.80
- Demolition and mowing assessments totaling $19,804.07
- Water and sewer service assessments totaling $3,121.16
- On-Sale and Sunday Liquor License for Track Bar & Grill
- Joint Powers Agreements with MN Dept of Public Safety for police and prosecuting attorney
City Council
The City Council approved several fund transfers for capital projects and municipal operations. The body also authorized payments for concrete work, motel demolition, and asbestos removal. A Truth in Taxation hearing was held to discuss the proposed 2021 property tax levy.
- Approved $35,000 for the Benson Golf Club
- Authorized $390,000 in transfers for Police, Fire, Street, Park, Armory, and Airport departments
- Approved $42,000 to VCI Environmental for asbestos removal at the power plant
- Approved $50,422.24 to Kennedy Excavating for the demolition of Rob’s Motel
- Approved $48,946.00 to Molden Concrete for work including 22nd Street South
City Council
The City Council approved a zoning change and a conditional use permit for a new gas station, convenience store, and car wash. The project, proposed by Dooley’s Investment, Inc., involves multiple parcels including 1331 Minnesota Avenue.
- Rezoning of 1310 Aldrich Avenue and 612 Church Street from R-1 low density residential to B-2 General Business
- Approval of Conditional Use Permit for gas station, convenience store, and car wash at 1331 Minnesota Avenue
- Approval of site plan for 1331 Minnesota Avenue development
- Car wash hours of operation limited to 5 am-10 pm (Mon-Fri) and 6 am-10 pm (Sat-Sun)
- Requirement to close driveway access to 14th Street South and remove one access point on US Highway 12
City Council
The City Council held a first reading of an ordinance to rezone properties at 612 Church Street and 1310 Aldrich Avenue to General Business. The body also approved several infrastructure pay requests and a loan subordination for Willmar Fabrication.
- First reading of ordinance to rezone 612 Church Street and 1310 Aldrich Avenue from R-1 to B-2
- Approved $10,517.00 quote from Larson Asbestos Service for Armory asbestos removal
- Approved $7,461.00 for a Perlick 4 door cooler for the Liquor Store
- Approved receiving a $15,000 grant from Southwest Initiative Foundation for the DeMarce Theater
- Approved subordination of a $200,000 revolving loan to Willmar Fabrication
City Council
The City Council decided to purchase the NFG Elevator property to address safety concerns and potential demolition. The council also approved a land use amendment for two properties to allow general business use and authorized several infrastructure payments.
- Approved land use change from R-1 Residential to B-2 General Business for 1313 Aldrich Avenue and 612 Church Street
- Authorized purchase of NFG Elevator property for $25,000
- Approved $45,769.00 for a high-efficiency HVAC system at the Wastewater Treatment Facility
- Approved $80,750 payment to Kalcon LLC for the airport arrival departure building
- Approved $10,000 for Benson Schools Music Boosters
City Council
The City Council authorized a contract with Community & Economic Development Associates (CEDA) for economic development services. The council also passed a resolution to increase pension benefit levels for vested volunteer firefighters and allocated CARES Act funds for city reimbursements and local programs.
- Authorized contract with Community & Economic Development Associates (CEDA)
- Resolution 2020-30: Increased firefighter benefit level to $1,500 per year of service effective Jan 1, 2021
- Approved $104,931 from CARES Act funds for city expenses, $15,000 for Prairie 5 Reach out for Warmth, and $5,000 for Prairie 5 Sr. Nutrition Program
- Approved $2,679 in the 2021 budget for Western Minnesota Prairie Waters
- Directed City Manager to seek a proposal from Stantec for elevator demolition estimated at $250,000
City Council
The City Council approved several infrastructure payments and a grant application for traffic enforcement. The body also authorized bidding documents for the demolition of the Armory and approved a roof replacement for the power plant.
- Approved $74,370.00 contract with Buttweiler’s Do-All Inc for power plant roof replacement
- Authorized application for a $16,825.00 Minnesota Department of Public Safety grant for traffic enforcement
- Approved $90,250.00 payment to Kalcon LLC and $8,946.00 to TKDA for airport arrival-departure building
- Approved $10,295.00 for new street barricades from M-R Sign
- Approved Armory Demolition Bidding documents with demolition scheduled for April 2021
City Council
The City Council approved a proposed 2021 general fund operating budget of $3,724,898 and a property tax levy of $1,348,867. The body also authorized engineering contracts for wastewater and water storage projects. A Truth in Taxation Hearing is scheduled for December 7, 2020.
- Approved $197,500 for Stantec engineering services for wastewater facility upgrades
- Approved $185,500 for Stantec engineering costs for a 300,000-gallon clear well water storage tank
- Adopted proposed 2021 property tax levy totaling $1,348,867
- Accepted a $2,500 CenterPoint Energy grant for Fire Department equipment
- Approved $9,940 pay request to TKDA for airport arrival departure building engineering
City Council
The City Council discussed the safety of the Armory for temporary occupancy through February 2021 and reviewed options for a new economic development position. The body also approved several payments and event requests.
- Approved $5,160 payment to Stantec for geo-tech testing at the old Fibrominn site
- Approved $5,824 for 2021 Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities dues and $789 for the Environmental Action Fund
- Approved request to block 13th St. S. between Kansas and Pacific for a bean bag tournament on September 12, 2020
- Approved date change to April 10, 2021, for Northern Lights Trails Snowmobile Club gambling event
- Approved bills and warrants totaling $2,572.59
City Council
The City Council toured the Armory to discuss necessary repairs and upgrades. After reviewing an estimated $500,000 cost for updates and roof replacement options, the Council decided to move toward demolition.
- Direction to staff to obtain plans and specs for demolition of the Armory and filling the hole
- Estimate of $48,000 to reroof the barrel part of the building
- Estimate of $82,000 to replace all three roofs
- Estimated $500,000 cost for general updates including electrical, HVAC, and ADA compliance
City Council
The City Council approved an order to raze or repair the former Benson Motel at 600 – 22nd Street South. The body also approved several payments for airport construction and utility engineering projects.
- Order to raze or remove hazardous building at 600 – 22nd Street South (former Benson Motel)
- Payment of $130,808.11 and $159,600.00 to Kalcon, LLC for airport arrival and departure building
- Approval of $69,232 for City of Benson employee personnel COVID costs and $33,979.87 for Missouri River Energy Services personnel COVID costs
- Payment of $27,936.65 and $1,117.75 to Stantec Engineering for Wastewater Treatment Facility Filter replacement
- Resolution 20-24 to abate nuisance and assess costs for the property at 600 22nd Street S
City Council
The City Council approved several fund transfers from Xcel Energy grants for water and sewer projects. The body also approved a variance for a gymnastics building and a street closure for a dance on September 11, 2020. Members discussed but declined to mandate mask usage during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Transferred $200,596.65 to Sewer Fund for 2019 Sanitary Sewer WWTP Filter project
- Transferred $61,650.08 to Water Fund for 2020 Water Filter project
- Transferred $5,280 to Sewer Fund for 2020 Sanitary Sewer WWTP Flood Protection project
- Approved variance #2020-01 for gymnastics building setbacks (15' south, 10' east)
- Approved street closure of 13th Street South between Kansas and Pacific Avenue for Sept 11
City Council
The City Council approved several pay requests for water plant repairs and an inter-creditor agreement regarding the Benson Hospital. The body also discussed the distribution of $230,000 in COVID-19 relief funds and home improvement grants.
- Approved pay requests to MN Mechanical for $169,405.90 and $9,500.00 for water plant chlorine damage
- Approved pay request to Stantec for $10,082.29 for water plant engineering expenses
- Approved alcohol permit for Shamrock Hest Riding Club for July 17, 2020
- Approved $1,046.00 contribution to Southwest Initiative Foundation for 2021 budget
- Approved Inter-Creditor Agreement placing REED in first position for Benson Hospital loans
City Council
The City Council held a public hearing regarding a nuisance property and approved several agreements and fund transfers. The body also reduced swimming pool pass fees for the 2020 season and discussed potential water plant expansion due to low aquifer levels.
- Ordered resident at 406 12th Street South to comply with vehicle nuisance rules by June 29, 2020
- Approved 5-year BCA agreements for e-filing and software at $50 per month
- Transferred $200,596.65 from NSP Grant Fund to Sewer Fund for wastewater filter expenses
- Reduced 2020 pool passes: Residential Family $108.75, Residential Individual $78.75
- Approved auctioning a 1984 dump truck and a John Deere airport tractor
City Council
The City Council met telephonically to approve several financial agreements with Swift County-Benson Hospital and coordinate summer activities under Covid-19 guidelines. The body also authorized demolition work and various infrastructure payments.
- Appropriation Repayment Agreement of $1,885,000 with Swift County-Benson Hospital
- Grant agreement of up to $1,000,000 with Swift County-Benson Hospital for capital outlay
- Demolition contract with T & K Kennedy Excavating for Rob’s Motel buildings at $41,798
- Payment of $190,800 to U.S. Water Services, Inc. for WWTP Filter Equipment
- Approval to begin preparing the public pool and continuing a reduced Summer Recreation program