By Robert Williams

Editor

North River Drive resident Dennis Weidemann visited the Frazee City Council to discuss a new, but increasing problem of dust along the road that leads to Wannigan Regional Park. Increased traffic has created multiple problems with the road itself and for residents living on it.

“When the wind is out of the south or the west, you can’t even be in the yard,” Weidemann said.

The council discussed at the last meeting about finding ways to encourage visitors to use the County Highway 29 entrance, rather than the Minnesota State Highway 87. 

The Public Works department has also sought out options for improved gravel on the stretch of road, including adding Class 5 and a chloride treatment.

Weidemann also noted many drivers going well over the posted 20 miles-per-hour speed limit on North River Drive.

When asked if the traffic was substantially worse than the usual summer with visitors to the ballfields, Weidemann gave way to Hank Ludtke, who reported that 13,000 individuals visited the park in the past 23 days.

Given that there was little to no traffic other than games at the fields prior to the opening of the park, the 13,000 visitors was a massive increase.

Weidemann also explained that the ballfield traffic came in small bursts, where the park and the Thomas Dambo troll art installation are attracting visitors all day long.

There is some support for traffic entering the park from Minnesota State Highway 87 in hopes for visitors to stop in the business district while in Frazee.

Signage has been ordered to assist visitors traveling to Wannigan on both roads, but a solution for the deteriorating gravel and dust issues will remain.

The Park & Recreation committee is also looking into gravel quotes and chloride treatment that are expected to be approximately $9,000.

County Commissioner John Okeson has also weighed in upon being contacted by Frazee Community Development Corporation (FCDC) Board Member Polly Andersen about the issue and multiple entities are exploring a solution.

“There are a lot of moving parts to this right now,” said City Administrator Stephanie Poegel. “There are a lot of people making feelers and talks and it all needs to come together. Eight people are talking to different people and those eight people aren’t talking to each other.”

The goal is to get all the gathered information back to Public Works Supervisor Larry Stephenson.

“That’s where all the information should go is back to Larry and I don’t know if any has gotten to him,” Poegel said.

Poegel answered in the affirmative to Vice Mayor Jim Rader’s inquiry on whether the county was willing to help with the situation.

The road itself lends to the problem as it was not built to sustain such levels of traffic.

Council Member Mark Kemper asked for patience from Weidemann and the city searches for a solution.

Weidemann noted a decrease in speed would be a short-term solution to the bigger problem. He noted over one hour he counted 107 cars passing by his home.

The city is going to look for ways to accentuate the speed limit signs’ visibility and to replace a potentially missing speed limit sign that was removed during last summer’s Highway 87 construction.

The Highway 29 entrance to the park has also created dust issues and more traffic complaints as visitors who are unaware of where they are going have used a nearby driveway and created their own road through the ditch to get to the North River Drive.

Homeowner Brandi Latham vented about the problem on social media noting that signage for the speed and park are greatly needed to alleviate the problem on her property. She also noted school traffic on the road was an issue prior to the park opening.

Phil Hansen was also in attendance and weighed in on the road issue with estimates on the job. Hansen is running for county commissioner as Okeson’s replacement for serving Lakeview, Burlington, Erie, Holmesville Townships and the City of Frazee. 

“I wanted to introduce myself and see what the issues are for Frazee,” Hansen said. 

City Administration

The council held an informal, open conversation with City Administrator Stephanie Poegel to discuss operations at the city office.

“Right now, I think things are going well,” she said.

Poegel did discuss some frustrations with compiling information for new fund accounting software that has been put into use. Progress is being made to complete reconciliation, while maintaining separation of duties between the three city employees.

Utility billing has improved with a few glitches created from the old system from when utility deposits were required of property owners. The problem only affects approximately 10 accounts of long-term residents.

The current system combines electricity and water into one bill, which is more convenient for residents and the city.

Poegel also cited the progress of city projects moving forward.

“I know there’s always room for improvement,” she said.

Poegel complimented the council on working well together, coming to meetings prepared, being involved and wanting what’s best for the community.

Froeber questioned if Poegel was comfortable stating the opposite if it were true.

“Sometimes, yes,” she said.

“I think you’re doing a very good job and I want all of us to be successful,” Froeber said.  

She also asked Poegel about any goals, which center around getting the fund accounting transfer completed, that should fast track when the city audit is completed at the end of the month. Organizing grant funds and distribution, along with a website update making it user-friendly on the content management and visitor sides.

From the council side, cross-training in the city office and improved communication between the council members and city office was a top priority, according to Sharp.

Town Lake Beach

Hammers Construction of Perham provided the low bid for the upcoming Town Lake Beach project at $400,000, with subcontractors Hanson’s Plumbing and Heating and Mark’s Electric selected to help complete the project.

Hammers outbid six other companies, according to Council Member Andrea Froeber. 

The high bid was $719,000 by TF Powers Construction Company of Fargo.

The council approved the Hammers bid unanimously after a confirmation of the project and bid by Widseth Engineering.

Stephenson will lead the demolition of the former bath house and find a local company to remove the septic tank.

An issue that has been brought up at the beach this year was to put up a porta-potty or open one end of the old bath house building to provide a restroom facility. The council approved the opening of the old restroom until the building is removed for the coming construction.

Downtown Park

The council agreed to un-name the downtown park on the former Sanders and Seip property. The park had been named Pedal Pusher Park by former Mayor Mark Flemmer. 

Given the changes in plans and the Frazee Community Club taking over direction of the future of the park the council elected to leave it with no name at the moment. The Park and Rec committee came to a unanimous consensus to seek public input on what the park should be called before renaming it.

Library

The council elected to renew the rental agreement between the Frazee-Vergas School District #23 and the City of Frazee for costs associated with the operation of the Lake Agassiz Regional Library within Frazee-Vergas School District #23 property.

The City of Frazee agrees to pay the Frazee-Vergas School District $275 a month.

If, at the end of a three-month period, the site is determined not viable for the regional library system, or not valuable to the community, the City of Frazee or the Frazee-Vergas School District may terminate this agreement with 30 days notice, without penalty or recrimination.

Turkey Days

The council approved street closures to accommodate events during Turkey Days after review by Police Chief Tyler Trieglaff.

Staffing

The council approved the resignation of Donnie Tate from the Public Works department effective July 26.

“I have enjoyed my time working for the City of Frazee over the last 15 years and thank you for the opportunities provided to me during my time here,” Tate said in his resignation letter.

Interim Mayor Mike Sharp thanked Tate for his service and stated he was a great city employee.

The council, on the advice of Interim Vice Mayor Jim Rader, accepted the resignation on the condition that Tate may return to his position until a job offer is made to his future replacement.