Cannabis registration fees added to city schedule

By Robert Williams

Editor

Spring cleanup will return this year in Frazee, according to the latest meeting of the city council on Wednesday, March 26.

“This summer, without any big street projects going on, we’ll get it squeezed in there,” said Public Works Supervisor Larry Stephenson.

The cleanup day is going to be scheduled close to Frazee-Vergas High School’s Day of Caring on Wednesday, May 7. A likely start day is Monday, May 12, with the full task of picking up everything to take potentially 3-4 days.

Approximate cost to the city for the day is $7-10,000, according to Stephenson.  

The city does charge for televisions, tires, and other items. Stephenson is checking with the county to determine fees. The city does receive funds from selling scrap metal. 

City staff has not decided where they are going to start.

“A certain by a certain time everybody better have their stuff out there because once we hit an area we don’t go back,” Stephenson said. 

More announcements on fees and other information will be released prior to the cleanup day.

Donations

The Wolf Pack Snowmobile Club donated $75 to the Frazee Fire Department.

Fire

The Frazee Fire Department currently has 20 active firefighters, one candidate in training and one on leave of absence. The council approved the hiring of Jacob Wheeler, upon the passing of his physical exam.

Calls for service in February were four: two structure fires, one mutual aid call in Perham and a HAZMAT alarm.

“Pretty light month but we’re going to be picking up here with wildfires and grass fires pretty soon,” said Fire Chief Adam Walker.

The Fire Department will hold its annual Frazee Firefighters Relief Association Auction Fundraiser Saturday, April 12 at the Event Center from 5-9 p.m.

Rescue

Frazee Rescue responded to 21 of 22 calls in February with eight in Frazee, five in Height of Land township, four in Burlington and Erie townships, and one in Silver Leaf township.

Liquor

Public Works Supervisor Larry Stephenson led a leak repair at the liquor store. The ice bin was leaking into the basement.

Popular area band 32 Below has been booked for the Saturday of Turkey Days at Third Crossing.

Police

February 20- March 19

Code violations of property by quantity and status: 14 new ordinance violations, with 5 dog-at-large issues. Three state citations were issued to the same person, and the dog was surrendered on March 18.

Code violations of vehicles by quantity and status:  Six vehicle violations noted. Five city  administrative citations mailed on March 20. 

Vehicle accidents in Frazee:  two motor vehicle crash in town. 

Landlord violations and status:  Zero landlord violations 

Upcoming events for the next month… Suppressors are in for the patrol rifles. This will greatly decrease the sound coming from the rifles, with far less chance of officers suffering from hearing damage. 

Bike Rodeo for Saturday, May 3 is in the planning stages.

Public Works

The Public Works Department has been taking care of daily operations and starting spring street cleanup, in March. If weather remains temperate crack filling maintenance will begin.

The council approved the department auctioning old equipment ready for liquidation or auction this spring, that would consist of: a 1965 3514 IH industrial gas tractor and loader, a 1987 JD 2355 Diesel tractor; a 1984 L8000 dump truck with plow; a 1987 JD 3-pt flail mower attachment 80” cut; a 2009 3pt  918H New Holland flail mower attachment 90” cut; and a ATH 900 3pt Bush hog grooming mower attachment; a 1987 Triumph F 2509 Hydro-Clipper sickle mower bolt  on attachment, and a 1965 or older sewer rodding machine more or less scrap iron if it doesn’t sell. The council also approved the police department auctioning of two old patrol vehicles, a 2010 and 2014 Ford Explorer.

All of these pieces will be sold “as is” via an upcoming Bachmann consignment auction at the end of May.

Administration

The city’s employee training is scheduled for April 8, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The city office will be closed during this time.

Three rental units were removed from rental program:

• 106 Pine Ave E – Sold for Residential Homestead use 

• 608 Lake St S – Sold for Residential Homestead use 

• 101 Ash Ave E – Sold for Residential Homestead use

The deadline to correct significant repairs at 402 Balsam Ave, unit #3 was not met. As a result, the 2024 rental registration is being denied, and a 2025 renewal letter will not be mailed. A formal notice was issued to the property owner by Attorney Thomas Winters, initiating the  revocation of the rental license.

A total of 50 inspections have been conducted with all 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 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.

Delinquent back taxes were paid on 16 mobile home units totaling $6,545.75.

Fee Schedule

Cannabis registration fees were added to the city’s fee schedule.

Initial and renewal fees are to be paid at the time of the initial application.

Cannabis Microbusiness: $0 Initial, $1,000 renewal.

Cannabis Mezzobusiness: $500 Initial, $1,000 renewal.

Cannabis Retailer $500 Initial, $1,000 renewal.

Medical Cannabis Combination business: $500 Initial, $1,000 renewal.

Lower-Potency Hemp Edible Retailer: $125 Initial, $125 renewal.

Other changes include: 

Residential rental registration $100

Short-term rental permit (includes registration and inspection) $500

Sidewalk expansion permit: $15

Eagle Lake

According to Attorney Winters, the timeline remains the same with everything moving forward on the city’s sale of Eagle Lake Park. The sale is set to be completed in the next 90 days.

Town Lake Beach

Upon completion of the boathouse at Town Lake Beach, Arvig will install and the city will be providing Wi-Fi services for both staff of the boathouse and public guests at the beach, according to a contractual agreement of $55 per month between the city and Arvig.

Water Tower

The council approved a low bid from Maguire Water Tank and Maintenance out of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to complete exterior pressure washing of the water tower and riser/lower cone. The total fee was bid at $7,200. Other bids were $9,500 from Badger State Inspection of Osseo, Wisconsin and $7,720 from KLM Engineering, Inc., of Woodbury.

Maguire has worked on the tank in previous years.