By Robert Williams

Editor

Preliminary talks have begun to determine what will happen to available space at M State Detroit Lakes if dropping enrollment numbers do not make a quick turnaround in the next two years.

Becker County Administrator Carrie Smith met with officials at M State to discuss future planning due to a significant drop in enrollment. Smith informed the Board of Commissioners about the discussion on what may happen in 2027 concerning the building and/or the college.

“That’ll be a future discussion we could certainly have of a need for additional space if the college is deciding that they’ll no longer continue,” said Smith. “The college, basically, if they do close they have the potential to look at having that go back to a government entity. I know several entities have been approached whether they’re interested in additional space.”

M State enrollment in Detroit Lakes dropped to 139 students to start this academic year. That number is the lowest of the four M State campuses (Fergus Falls, Wadena, Moorhead).

M State is already sharing space with the DL Area Learning Center, the Adult Basic Education program and the Early Childhood Family Education program.

Smith reiterated that these early talks were regarding changes to be made in 2027.

Appointments

Terry Kalil was appointed to the library board to fill the remainder of Ben Grimsley’s term.

Cannabis

The board has to adopt or amend a state statute and fee schedule via public hearing to allow local businesses to sell low potency hemp and cannabis. Current ordinances only deal with cannabis and not hemp so the ordinance needs to be amended to allow stores to continue selling the products, despite them being on store shelves for years.

A registration fee will be set to cover compliance checks by the county, much like tobacco products.

In some areas, the state has pulled products off the shelves of businesses that were not registered.

A public hearing will be held Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 9:30 a.m.

Donations

The board approved a $20 donation in Detroit Lakes Chamber Bucks to Becker County Human Services from Saint Peter’s Lutheran Church to be used to aid individuals and families in need.

Energy

Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution urging the repeal of Minnesota’s moratorium on nuclear energy. The moratorium has been in effect for three decades.

Highway

Commissioners support the efforts by the county engineer in an application for Local Road Improvement Plan (LRIP) grant funds for the following improvements:

• Frazee: CSAH 30/Main Avenue between CSAH 29/5th Street and the CSAH 30 Bridge over the Otter Tail River.

• Lake Eunice Township: improvements to East Pearl Lake Road.

• Audubon Township: improvements to 230th Avenue.

Retaining walls

A meeting was recently held with Commissioner Phil Hansen, DNR Staff, Soil and Water Conservation District Staff and County Zoning Director Kyle Vareberg to discuss retaining wall amendments and a potential new review process. 

The review process would include review and approval by a licensed engineer for retaining walls over two feet in height. The engineering services will need to be retained by the Becker County Planning and Zoning Office. The cost burden established by the review process could be alleviated by a fixed review fee or a complete pass through of the actual fee accrued by the review process.

The following four recommendations were approved:

• A Retaining Wall Under Two Feet in Height. Retaining walls under two feet in height shall require a land alteration permit from the Becker County Zoning Office.

• A Retaining Wall Between Two Feet and Four Feet in Height. Retaining walls between two feet and four feet in height shall be reviewed and approved by the Becker County Planning & Zoning Engineer. A land alteration permit is required from the Becker County Zoning Office.

• A Retaining Wall Above Four Feet in Height. Retaining walls exceeding four feet in height shall require a plan created by a licensed engineer or landscape architect. The plan shall be reviewed and approved by the Becker County Planning and Zoning Engineer. Tiered walls shall be considered one wall for height measuring purposes unless they are each separated by a horizontal distance of three times the distance of the height of the lower wall. A land alteration permit is required from the Becker County Zoning Office.

• Retaining walls shall be exempt from the setbacks of the Becker County Zoning Ordinance but shall not be placed within a road right-of-way without approval by the road authority of said right-of-way.