Essentia Health donation adds trail amenities in Frazee

By Robert Williams

Editor

Requests for proposal bids will be opened on Friday, Aug. 15 in regards to the Maple Avenue Apartments in Frazee, according to a report by Commissioner Erica Jepson during the Becker County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 5, in Detroit Lakes.

“We’re still hopeful that project will be finished yet this year,” Jepson said.

The rehabilitation project includes new siding, new doors and windows, as well as new decks.

Maple Avenue Apartments have a dozen units that are income restricted.

Appointments

Jason Coalwell took the oath of office and was appointed as the Assistant Veterans Service Officer. The Becker County Veterans Services assists in claims processing for veterans’ benefits to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Bike paths

Commissioners approved a resolution to accept a cash donation of $5,000 from Essentia Health to help develop bike trail amenities at previously identified locations from the Community Resiliency Grant proposal and designate Economic Development Authority (EDA) staff to distribute funding.

Becker County staff from Land Use, Economic Development, and multiple community partners from the City of Detroit Lakes, City of Frazee, and Project 412 collaborated on a grant proposal through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to develop additional amenities along designated bike paths to increase safety, security, and usability throughout the communities. The grant proposal was unsuccessful, however, Essentia Health made a generous donation to assist with the efforts of developing more amenities along current bike path routes and further support the use of trails and physical activity for an overall healthier community.

The five identified entities will each receive $1,000, according to Economic Development Specialist Cody Piper.

Corrections

Sheriff Todd Glander’s personnel request for two new correctional officers was unanimously approved. The officers’ salaries will be offset by the unused fiscal  year 2025 budgeted part-time correctional officer salary funds.

“We have a pool of part-time positions with funds that are not getting used; they are variable hour positions. As of yesterday, our budget for 2025 was $562,229. As of date, we have used $205,786.15, or 37 percent of that. We would like to move funds to a full-time line item and hire two full-time corrections officers, which are much needed.”

A minimum of six staff members have to be on duty at all times, according to Glander. If an employee is out sick they need to be replaced.

“We can’t just operate with five or four; we need somebody on staff,” Glander said.

Dunton Locks

The Becker County Lands Use Department was awarded $21,000 for a Conservation Partners Legacy Grant (CPL) from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). This grant will offset the costs of mechanical and herbicide application to control invasive woody plants, specifically Common Buckthorn in Dunton Locks County Park on Becker County Managed Lands. Estimated costs to complete the project are approximately $25,000 depending on how many acres get treated. In addition to the grant, a cash match in-kind of $3,650 will be used from the Becker County Parks Fund.

Gambling

Commissioners approved the Gambling Application for Premises Permit to conduct Gambling by Frazee Lions, at Bleachers Sports Bar & Grill in Lake View Township.

Housing

A Tax Increment Financing (TIF) request by ABT Property Management Financial Analyst Nate Hunter and Managing Partner Brent Kuehne was approved. TIF is a financing tool used by local governments (cities, counties) to stimulate economic development and revitalization within a designated geographic area, known as a TIF district.

The proposed construction is Highland Lakeview Apartments, a 36-unit apartment building, on Highland Drive overlooking Big Detroit Lake and the Holiday Inn.

The nine-year TIF needs approval from the city, school district and county. Meetings with the other two entities will be completed by late this week.

According to Keuhne, if approved, plans are to break ground this month.