Acquisition complete on Pelican River Watershed storage building

The county officially acquired the Pelican River Watershed storage building at Dunton Locks for $30,000 to be used for additional parking space at the park. Parking areas were removed when a new picnic shelter building was constructed. The new shelter will be a heated building with bathrooms and a warm-up area for winter skiers and hikers.

By Robert Williams

Editor

The Becker County Board of Commissioners discussed options for needed space for the Sheriff’s department Tuesday, June 3.

A short-term solution to a decade-long problem of a lack of coordinated space for the Becker County Sheriff’s Department’s collection of emergency vehicles was proposed in a one-year lease of the City of Detroit Lakes Public Works facility on Front Street. The city completed construction on a new Public Works building on Tower Road in October, 2024, that can house the city’s streets and parks services under one roof.

The goal is to get all of the Sheriff’s emergency response vehicles into one spot. A rental space from the City of Detroit Lakes was proposed for $2,700, plus utilities, per month on a one-year lease with a deadline of June 4. The building is Public Works Warehouse located at 508 Front Street in Detroit Lakes.

The 7200-square foot rental space is not large enough to house everything the department has, but does create an interim solution. Other options, such as erecting a building were also discussed, especially at an open lot south of the jail.

“The rental space would still not put everything in one building,” said Sergeant Shane Richard. “We’d still have a couple buildings that our equipment would be in and ultimately, what we’re looking for is that one-stop shop.”

The proposed rental space serves two functions, according to Richard. First is storage of the wide variety of seasonal and full-time rescue vehicles, along with storage of the jail’s transport vehicles, which currently sit outside.

“Some of those vehicles need to be temperate and stored inside,” he said.

Dead batteries with those vehicles has also been an issue.

Richard stated, given current budgetary constraints, the department would like to get down to two buildings.

“How can we make do until this happens?” Commissioner Barry Nelson asked.

The Sheriff’s department is open in the interim, as long as they can store needed emergency vehicles in a space with power. County Highway Engineer Jim Olson noted there is some space at the Highway Department that could be used.

“We really need that equipment ready to go at a moment’s notice,” said Richard. 

The county also has the option of building a cold storage facility at a cost under $175,000 to avoid having to solicit bids. Multiple discussions revolved around committing to an architect for a design.

The board agreed to bid $2,000 per month to rent the city’s building for a one-year term and the board agreed to revisit a long-term discussion.

According to Richard, the Sheriff’s department has been seeking a long-term solution for the past 11 years.

Dunton Locks

The board voted 4-1 for the acquisition of the Pelican River Watershed storage building at Dunton Locks.

Becker County has agreed to pay Pelican Watershed District $30,000.

“I just want to reiterate my position in that I do not think we should do this,” said Commissioner Erica Jepson. “We just got done talking about additional money and I don’t think this is where we should be spending $30,000.”

Commissioner Vareberg shared agreement, but stated the need of the county for the additional parking space is needed.

Grant money from the Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund is being used for payment.

“That’s why I can support it today because of where the money is coming from,” said Board Chair David Meyer.

Jepson was the lone no vote on the resolution.