Preliminary report on 2026 sewer, water construction discussed

By Robert Williams

Editor

City Administrator Stephanie Poegel reported on rental registrations to the city council on Wednesday, Feb. 26, including 50 inspections that were conducted with all 50 needing corrections. 

Corrections for 31 units (two landlords) have been completed; seven units (two landlords) have ownership issues to correct one of which is currently working with Becker County; two units (two landlords) are in need of complete renovation; one unit (one landlord) has been removed from the trailer park; one unit (one landlord) was filled with recently evicted tenants belongings; one unit (one landlord) will be removed from registration; one unit (one landlord) is having communication issues; six units (one landlord) are still being worked on.

“There are still 19 that have some kind of issue,” said Poegel.

Poegel stated the city is working with landlords on these issues and was complimentary of two trailer park owners in town with their work to be in compliance.

“It’s huge for the community,” said council member Andrea Froeber.

“This has been a struggle with the rental registrations,” Poegel said. “Understanding, getting it going and trying to get everybody in compliance because for so many years it’s been no big deal.”

One residence was singled out in the report where the deadline to correct significant repairs required at 402 Balsam Ave, Unit 3 has not been met. 

As a result, the 2024 rental registration is being denied and a 2025 renewal letter will not be mailed. A formal notice will be issued to the property owner by March 26, 2025, initiating the revocation of the rental license. This will include a notice to tenants requiring them to vacate the unit.

The city reserves the right not to grant rental registrations unless the landowner complies with the ordinance. The landowner claims the current tenant is working on the issues and has requested an extended deadline until the end of March, 2025.

Poegel noted some of the work would need building permits and those permits have not been requested from the city.

Having a registration revoked comes with an automatic three-year ban on new rental registrations for the landowner.

“There is a pretty severe consequence to have a registration revoked,” said Mayor Mike Sharp.

Both Sharp and Poegel discussed the need of landlords to provide decent living conditions for tenants and the responsibility of the repairs falls on the landlord, not the tenant.

The notice of revocation comes with a 35-day notice.

City Attorney Thomas Winters noted the amount of time that was spent working on the ordinance and the need to enforce it.

“If we’re not going to enforce it, why are we going to have it?” Winters said. “It is a tough decision to make, but we have to start enforcing it too.”

The council set June 1 as a date that the tenant needs to be out of the residence to allow plenty of time to vacate in the vein of Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule.

The rule protects against utility shut-offs during cold months, however, there is no law preventing eviction of a tenant before April 15 due to cold weather; evictions can happen any time of year in the state, including winter.

Police

Dogs at large issues continue in the city. One owner was cited with a fine, the other was a first report/concern.

The department has decided to forgo courtesy letters for many ordinance violations this year. 

“We’re just going to start issuing fines,” said Chief Tyler Trieglaff. “We’ll start with our city fines, $50 tickets, and if we don’t get the results then they turn into a state citation.”

Some violations, like a vehicle that needs to be moved, can warrant a daily citation and fine.

Trieglaff also noted the $50 city fine in Frazee is generous compared to other cities like Detroit Lakes, where the fine is $200.

“We are very generous in that scheme of things,” he said.

First offenders may be let off the hook with a personal visit from police.

The escalation is part of the city council’s, and Mayor Mike Sharp’s, specific campaign promises to clean up the city.

Letters will still be issued for lawns that are not properly maintained as a five-day notice is mandated before the city takes any further action.

Zero vehicle violations were reported. Zero landlord violations were reported.

Police are working on vacant properties with the City Administrator, City Attorney and Building Inspector.

One motor vehicle crash in town—fender bender in a parking lot.

Suppressors are ordered for patrol rifles. This will greatly decrease the sound coming from the rifles, with far less chance of officers suffering from hearing damage.

2026 proposed 

construction

City Engineer Chris Thorson held a public hearing outlining the preliminary engineering report and facility plan for sanitary sewer collection and water distribution system improvements scheduled for 2026.

The plan and preliminary report will identify deficiencies within the system; provide an estimated value for the work; is required by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for Clean Water Revolving Fund eligibility; provides the city with a map for future improvements and a planning tool for future work.

Approval of the plan does not mean the city is going to complete the project now.

In the areas of consideration, much of the original construction dates back to the 1950’s and 60’s.

Estimated improvement costs for the entire project, including street improvements, are $3,720,000. Street work makes up the majority of that estimate and not all of the improvement in the area will be a direct result of replacing water and sanitary sewer:

• Sanitary Sewer System: $806,000

• Water Distribution System: $615,000

• Street Improvements: $2,229,000

• Financing options include the: Clean Water Revolving Fund; Drinking Water Revolving Fund; USDA Rural Development grants and low interest loans.

• The project centers on Fir and Elm Avenue West between 5th and 2nd Street NW between the schools. Other areas include a portion of Birch Avenue West between 2nd and 3rd Streets NW; the Event Center area, Birch, Ash, 2nd and the Alley; and Juniper Avenue East from Lake Street to 2nd Street NE.

Fire

The council accepted the resignation of Bob Clarey from the fire department, effective Feb. 12.

The department responded to four calls in February, according to Chief Adam Walker.

On Feb. 26, both the fire department and rescue squad took part in auto extraction Training.

The department is looking for more firefighters. Free training is provided. Applications are available at the Frazee City Office or available online at frazeecity.com. Frazee has an all-volunteer fire department.

Rescue

According to Rescue Squad President Matt Johnson, the crew is 19 calls ahead of Feb. 26 of last year. In January, the squad responded to 27 of 29 calls, 15 of which were in the city. Eight days had multiple calls; one day had a total of five.

Council Member Jim Rader pointed out that half of the calls are to townships, rather than in the city.

“Heght O’ Land has been busy for us this last month,” said Johnson.

If numbers continue as they have been, Johnson noted they may eclipse the total number of calls to Height O’ Land from last year by March of this year.

Total volunteer hours for the month were 101.5.

Event Center

Frazee Event Center Manager Jolene Tappe reported on successful Cabin Fever Days events.

“Hopefully, it’s just the start of more to come,” Tappe said. “We had a good turnout and a lot of positive feedback from that event.”

All the light bulbs were replaced in the Event Center. Otter Tail Power, via rebate, will be covering 75 percent of the costs if all of the lighting iss updated to LED at the same time. The city’s share will be roughly $3,000, according to Public Works Supervisor Larry Stephenson.

Liquor

Manager Amanda Young reported on cost benefits from redoing the roof, furnace upgrade and additional insulation on utility bills. Historically, the bill for the month was for $779. This last bill was less than $400.

Third Crossing will be doing a fish special for Lent every Friday March 7-April 18. The menu will rotate between walleye sandwich, fish tacos, seafood alfredo, and shrimp basket.

Young also noted the positive impact Cabin Fever Days had on business at the bar.

The resignation of Jenna Castagneri was accepted.

Public Works

Supervisor Larry Stephenson reported that over the past couple weeks his department has gone from battling freezing issues to thawing issues. Temporary pumps have been set up where necessary. City workers are keeping a close watch on the Second Street lift station for clogs and are utilizing extra monitoring until some confidence returns. 

Plans for improvements to Frazee’s lift stations are scheduled for 2025, but are dependent on bond funding.

Heartland Trail

According to City Administrator Stephanie Poegel’s administrative report, a meeting will be held with a deadline for project completion by September. Received bids have been coming in at lower amounts than anticipated allowing any extra funds to be used for the trail segment from Detroit Lakes to Frazee. 

The trail committee is researching various options for use of those funds.

Wannigan Park

The council approved a Widseth Design Services proposal on the engineering and construction of a shelter and river access at the park. The design schedule is development and construction documents to be completed already with the project going out to bids in March.

The design scope of services cost $8,500.

The council also approved the purchase of a shelter from Romtech that will  be installed at the park.