By Robert Williams

Editor

A report by Utility Superintendent Larry Stephenson noted that plans put in place for the lift station of the new Town Lake Beach house will not suffice for the size of the project, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.

“The grinder station needs to be changed from a single grinder to a pump to a duplex grinder pump lift station,” City Administrator Stephanie Poegel said. “It is a change order of $17,111.36. It is not a small change order.”

The city countered the state with a proposal to install a single pump with a tank. The response from the state that was not permitted and a 1,000-gallon tank would be prohibited.

The blame for this oversight is landing on the city’s engineering firm WiDSETH.

“The part that bothers me is we have a firm that is going to design this project and should be aware of this,” Councilman Jim Rader said.

Poegel discussed the issue with WiDSETH, but came back with little return feedback.

“That is just bad publicity for WiDSETH,” said Council Member Andrea Froeber. “It’s just very frustrating.”

City Engineer Chris Thorson, of Ultieg, verified the cost but stated he hoped WiDSETH had contingency built into the estimate.

Poegel reported there was no feedback from the engineering firm on that.

The original grinder station that was to be installed came with a cost of approximately $9,000. The duplex grinder and installation is $17,000 more.

A discussion with Stephenson is planned to potentially use sewer funds to cover a portion of the excess. The finance committee will also explore options.

The project is scheduled to be completed by June 30, 2025, or sooner. The grinder is not expected to affect that date. The board approved to continue with the project, with Rader abstaining.

Wannigan Park

Polly Andersen presented a contract with WiDSETH Engineering regarding the internal asphalt trail design and engineering within the park on the west side of the river. The trail will bring visitors from the parking area to the troll and around the park, according to Andersen.

The paved trail will be a short mile and will be American Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant.

The amount of the design proposal is $68,500, which is the responsibility of the Frazee Community Development Corporation (FCDC), which negotiated the cost down from $82,500.

A grant has already been funded and FCDC has already received the funds to cover the entire cost, according to Andersen.

Hopes are to begin grading in 2025 and complete the project by summer of 2026. The project is scheduled to be put out to bid in March of 2025.

“This is the one thing that we feel the public is asking for: ADA access to the troll, as well as, the enjoyment of the perimeter of Wannigan Park,” said Andersen.

Donations

The council approved a donation of $2,500 from the United Way of Becker County to the Frazee Rescue Squad and a $1,000 donation from Ameriprise – Willma Hanson to the Frazee Fire Department.

Election

The council approved the city election results and appointed Andrew Daggett to fill the vacancy on the council. The open spot was vacated by Sharp’s election as mayor and had been open since he took over as Interim Mayor in June. Both Sharp and Daggett were sworn into office.

Sanitary pond

A quote of $10,865 was approved for flange gate valve replacements on the sanitary pond gates, a 12-inch and a 6-inch with new gaskets and stainless steel nuts and bolts. In a report to City Administrator Stephanie Poegel, Utility Superintendent Larry Stephenson stated he cannot transfer between the sanitary ponds due to the broken valves.

East Main Project

Signage and reinstallation of mailboxes is all that is left in the 2024 scheduled work of the East Main project.