Bachmann appointed to Dist. 1 Planning Commission seat

By Robert Williams

Editor

Portions of the Frazee section of the Heartland Trail were deemed non-ADA compliant, according to a report by County Commissioner Phil Hansen on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at the bi-weekly commissioner’s meeting.

Hansen also reported an overage from the trail construction that will be used to help fund the Dunton Locks to Bucks Mill trail portion.

Regarding the American Disabilities Act (ADA) non-compliance, Hansen stated the trail is off by an inch in places not meeting thresholds.

“So that was quite disappointing to hear,” he said. 

Board chairman David Meyer stated the errors are on the edges of the trail and considered the non-compliance, ‘kind of ridiculous.’”

Hansen noted that some of the overage funds may need to be used to fix the issue, rather than put it all toward engineering costs of the Dunton to Bucks connection.

“We don’t know the depth of the problem yet,” said Hansen.

One area of concern is the bridge at U.S. Highway 10 and County Road 10.

According to Frazee City Administrator Stephanie Poegel’s report from the trail committee meeting to the city council on Wednesday, “repairs that need to be completed on the Frazee to County Highway 10 bridge to meet ADA guidelines.”

Appointments

Commissioner Erica Jepson reported an unusual number of applicants, being four, to take over the District 1 Planning Commission seat. Nancy Bachmann, of Silver Leaf Township Clerk, was recommended and approved by the commissioners. The Bachmann family, of Frazee, own a dairy farm and were named the 2018 University of Minnesota Farm Family of the Year.

Blighted properties

Commissioners Barry Nelson and Hansen discussed the county’s blight properties ordinance and a plan to form a committee to investigate such properties.

“Or view a property and offer help,” Nelson said. 

Nelson stated the committee would consist of someone from mental health or community health, the representing commissioner of the property, and a representative from zoning and environmental.

“There is a very fine line between property rights and what is considered a blight property,” said Nelson. “Mental health is one of the issues. If you go and do all this work and if you don’t include mental health and we go to court and try to enforce it and there’s no addressing the mental health issues it’s not going to go anywhere anyway. I think you have to offer help and solutions at the front end right away. Instead of trying to escalate it, let’s try to see if we can offer help and get something resolved.”

Hansen stated the original meeting was “talking for an hour and getting nothing done,” but he came up with two points.

“We have a process, but what we were more talking about was, what is the threshold? Where does a property become blighted or a nuisance?” Hansen said. “That seemed to be in the eyes of the beholder. One person’s blight is another person’s pleasure.”

Nelson reiterated health concerns, visibility of the property and having to examine each instance individually.

“Our conclusion came down to is it a solid waste issue? Is there garbage there?” said Hansen. “And then can we soothe the situation, help the situation?”

Food Pantry

Jepson commented on the current federal government shutdown and its potential impact on the county food pantry.

“If the government shutdown continues through November there will not be sufficient funds to issue November SNAP funds, so that will likely just have a huge impact on our local food shelf,” said Jepson.

A $10,000 private donation to the food pantry via Becker County Public Health was approved.

Highway

Commissioners accepted the completion of CSAH 30 from South River Drive to North Junction with TH 87 in the City of Frazee, consisting of Reclaiming, Bituminous Surfacing, Urban Reconstruction and Underground Utilities contracted with RL Larson Excavating, Inc of St. Cloud and authorized the final payment in the amount of $36,292.38.

Also approved, was a final payment of $76,278.50 for completion of the Highway 34 project CSAH 21 to 300th ST, consisting of Grading, Aggregate Base and Bituminous Surfacing, contracted with Dennis Drewes, Inc of Frazee.

Library funding

After balking at Lake Agassiz Library Regional Director Liz Lynch’s budget proposal for the library system earlier in October, the issue was discussed at a finance committee meeting and brought up again by Nelson at Tuesday’s commissioner’s meeting.

“We are paying more for our share,” Nelson said. “But it’s not nearly what I thought we would be and there is one county that is underpaying considerably and it’s not Clay County. I would like us to try to transition or bring that component in for next year’s budget.”

No decision was made on what the county will contribute to this coming year’s budget. That will be discussed further at the next budget meeting.

“If you went straight off the usage we are overpaying by $30,000,” Nelson said. “I thought we were overpaying quite a bit more.”

Mahube-Otwa

A resolution was passed approving 2024 allocation of the Homeless Prevention Grant in the amount of $222,113 and the 2025 allocation of the same grant in the amount of $210,283 to Mahube-Otwa. Becker County advertised a Request for Proposals (RFP) and Mahube-OTWA was the only respondent. 

According to County Administrator Carrie Smith, the funds are to target minor children who are homeless or their families.

Solid Waste

The Environmental Services Committee reviewed and discussed the 2026 Solid Waste Budget and proposes changes for the 2026 Solid Waste Fee Schedule from the 2025 Solid Waste Fee Schedule to cover increased solid waste disposal rates at the Perham Resource Recovery Facility, the Fargo Landfill, and the City of Grand Forks Landfill as well as other solid waste disposal rates such as tires, demolition landfill expenses, labor costs and other general operational cost increases. The county fee schedule can be viewed under the environmental services menu on the county website.

Veterans

A resolution was passed in support of Operation Green Light for Veterans from October 24 through November 24, a time to salute and honor the service and sacrifices of our men and women in uniform transitioning from active service. 

Approximately 200,000 service members transition to civilian communities annually and an estimated 20 percent increase in service members will transition to civilian life soon. Studies indicate that 44-72 percent of service members experience high levels of stress during transition from military to civilian life and active military service members transitioning from military service are at a high risk for suicide during their first year after military service. The National Association of Counties encourages all counties, parishes, and boroughs to recognize Operation Green Light for Veterans.