City soliciting proposals from comp study

By Robert Williams

Editor

City Engineer Chris Thorson gave an extensive preview of the next big road construction project coming to Frazee.

Ulteig Engineers have completed a report to the proposed improvement of East Main Avenue, between the Otter Tail River bridge crossing and northeast to the south line of Trunk Highway 87 with watermain, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, street and sidewalk improvements.

The project also includes Rivercrest Drive between East Main Avenue and northerly 400 feet to the end of pavement on Rivercrest Drive with street improvements; and to improve 8th Street SE between East Main Avenue and easterly to the intersection with Cherry Avenue with street improvements; and to improve Cherry Avenue between 8th Street SE and southerly on Cherry Avenue with street improvements.

Improving the alleyway behind the fire hall, one block north of Main Avenue West between 2nd Street NW and 3d Street NW is also included.

“This is a project that has been a long time in the works,” Thorson said. “The majority of deficiencies on East Main have been sanitary-sewer, the main lines over there. They were put in back in 1975 and what they used was thin-walled PVC pipe and it just doesn’t stand up.”

According to Public Works Supervisor Larry Stephenson, nearly every block has a different kind of sewer pipe from clay tile to asbestos-cement pipe to PVC.

The project will be completed in conjunction with Becker County. The county is in charge of the road and storm sewer improvements from the bridge to 87.

The full report was received by the city council on Wednesday, Jan. 24. 

An estimated total cost of the improvement is $1,635,000.

Bids will be sought this spring with construction planned for this summer.

A public hearing will be held on the project Wednesday, Feb. 14, at the Event Center at 6 p.m.

Compensation Study

The city is soliciting proposals for professional services to review and implement a job classification and compensation system. The request for proposals will be issued on March 4 with proposals due by 4 p.m. April 30. 

The study is to review and update the existing job evaluation and classification system to ensure reasonable compensation relationships between the various job classifications, both internally and externally.

The city has not conducted a thorough compensation review since 2005.

Fire

The Frazee Fire Relief Association donated a combination tool to the Frazee Fire Department with the desire to use the donation as firefighters need. The total purchase price for the tool is $13,810. The department was credited $8,000 for the sale of a Jaws System. The Relief Association voted to pay for the remaining purchase price of $5,810.

New Fire Chief Adam Walker gave a review of the 2023 calls for service. The Frazee Fire Department responded to 79 total calls for 2023, including 13 mutual aid calls for service. Of the 66 calls, 20 were in Frazee, 24 in Burlington Township, 10 in Height O’ Land Township, eight in Evergreen Township and four in Silverleaf Township.

In December, there were eight calls, two structure fires, two vehicle accidents, 2 alarm calls and one lift assist.

Liquor Store

Manager Amanda Young reported new events at the liquor store, such as Friday meat raffles and other activities have the liquor store on track to surpass January sales numbers from 2023. The store has seen an uptick in dine-in sales after adding Monday lunch, which picks up for a lack of food options in town with the Palace Cafe closed on Mondays.

Third Crossing will be filling an opening by adding a new part-time bartender this month.

The new addition will potentially allow Young to extend business hours. 

“We’re looking to extend hours, maybe, in February sometime,” Young said.

Utilities

Public Works Supervisor Larry Stephenson reported on potential replacements of heating and cooling units at the Event Center. Quotes are still being submitted. The heating bids to be received prior to getting proposals for needed roof work planned for both the center and the liquor store.