Local group seeks funding from state bonding bill

Contributed photo
State Senators Jordan Rasmussen and Rob Kupec met with Frazee Community Development Corporation representatives Hank Ludtke, Karen Pifher, and Polly Andersen during the group’s trip to St. Paul.

By Robert Williams

Editor

A trio of Frazee-based lobbyists visited St. Paul to advocate for Wannigan Park funding and city infrastructure projects speaking to six different legislators from local districts and the surrounding areas.

Polly Andersen, Hank Ludtke and Karen Pifher spoke about the projects and their interactions with legislators in a report to the city council at the second meeting of the month Wednesday, Feb. 22, at the Event Center.

“It was a productive trip,” said Ludtke.

“They were extremely supportive,” Pifher said.

Pifher highlighted encouraging responses from Sen. Paul Utke and Rep. Krista Knudsen, especially when the park project was mentioned in line with city infrastructure projects that are planned or have been on hold. 

Many municipal projects have been delayed statewide after there was no bonding bill passed in 2022. Both Utke and Knudsen were responsive to supporting the projects under a public utility bill option.

“Representative Knudsen was actually extremely enthusiastic,” said Pifher. “She said there is funding to be spent at the state-level.”

The cost-effective nature of working on multiple projects at the same time was the main attraction to both the legislators and city officials. City projects discussed were work on East Main Avenue, along with the lift station.

“That lift station was sized for the Swift plant so it’s well oversized for what you are dealing with and I think there is some inefficiency that we can clean up with that,” City Engineer Kris Carlson said. “It’s possible, but it’s not cheap and it’s work to get under the river. I don’t see any roadblocks other than the money. “Everything is held up right now without the bonding bill from last year. The only thing they are funding are carry-over projects from two years ago. We’re on the list. We’ll be ranked high. We’re in the fundable range. Once they pass the bonding bill, then we can finalize funding.”

Ludtke reported that funding for the Heartland Trail was also discussed in connecting the new bridge on county road 10 to town, which could be done this summer.

The group is planning a return trip to St. Paul again in April.

For more information on Wannigan Park visit www.wanniganpark.com.

Admin report

The council approved a resolution adopting the Minnesota general records retention schedule for cities for proper tracking of city records, bringing the city up to date on records retention and backup for any future information requests. 

City administrator Stephanie Poegel reconciled the December bank accounts after taking over mid-December and presented council with a statement of revenue and expenditures for the month. 

Event Center

Frazee Event Center manager Jolene Tappe and council member Jim Rader reported on work needed on the Event Center. Rader spoke with Bristlin Construction, who reviewed the problem area and stated that insulation needs to be added in one area of the attic. Bristlin will spray foam the fix at no cost, along with a follow-up inspection after winter.

Fire department

The council reviewed a $3,370 project in June to remove and recycle existing lamps, install LED lamps, exit lights and emergency lights of the fire department.

Three new furnaces were replaced at the fire hall by Hanson’s Plumbing. During a recent cold snap, it was noticed the hall was not heating up after crews returned from a fire. 

Permits

Two gambling permits were approved, one for the Smokey Hills Chapter of Minnesota Deer Hunters Association, the other for the Frazee Firefighters Relief Association.

Police and rescue

Frazee Police responded to 93 calls in January with 13 traffic-related, according to Chief of Police Tyler Trieglaff. Rescue had 23 calls with eight of those being in town. Frazee Rescue is hoping to bring back the summer pancake feed in June after not holding one the past couple years. 

Public works

Public Works Supervisor Larry Stephenson’s report included the water treatment plant pumped 3,254,000 gallons of water in January. There were 539 pounds of chlorine added and 61 pounds of fluoride. The wastewater plant treated 2,240,000 gallons. 

Meeting change

The second council meeting of March scheduled for March 22 has been changed to March 29.