Community Club to place bike racks downtown

By Robert Williams

Editor

Discussions by the Frazee Economic Development Authority (EDA) continued on redoing the Frazee welcome sign on the west side of town and eastbound side of U.S. Highway 10. The EDA had previously agreed that a vinyl wrap would be the most affordable option. 

The panels on the sign are in good enough shape to be reused according to Brushmarks Signs co-Owner Dave Keena.

A Brushmarks bid of $3,500 was discussed, but would include making the sign a rectangle shape and would remove the turkey from the sign. A sign with new panels and graphics would cost $5,400. An exact replica of the Experience Frazee sign on the east side of town was not discussed as an option due to prior public dissent on its design from a recent community survey, although the new sign will be similar in design without the turkey.

“Right now, because people want us to keep an eye on taxes, the $3,500 sign is the way to go and suffer the consequences of having no turkey,” said Council Representative Andrea Froeber.

The west side sign needs to be replaced and this change is looked at by the EDA as temporary until it is financially feasible for a complete city rebranding.

The known comments regarding the dislike of either sign from the community survey was also discussed in more detail, namely, that the negative responses about the cartoon turkey was from 30-60 people out of 1,300.

“To me, the silent majority is sometimes the ones who are happier with what’s going on,” said Poegel.

“Or they don’t care,” said Froeber.

The EDA approved the lower bid from Brushmarks to vinyl wrap the west side sign.

Bike racks

The Frazee Community Club is requesting spots to place bike racks downtown. Discussions are centered around the East Main Avenue retail building or the gravel lot near the downtown gazebo park.

“I think we agree that we want them; it’s just where?” said President Heath Peterson.

The community club is in possession of the bike racks and EDA members acknowledged the number of bikes downtown without a place to put them. The increase in trail traffic is also creating a need for more racks.

The EDA is recommending the back edge of the downtown park as a temporary place.

East Main Retail

The EDA denied a request for the city to install a keyless entry system to one of the businesses.

The tenant does have the option to install a system themselves.

The EDA discussed renaming the building and elected to utilize an existing sign noting it as the East Main Retail building. It has been referred to with other names over the past few years, including downtown infill building.

The board also discussed the responsibility of locking and unlocking the public doors to the buildings. Timed locks were suggested, but completing the interior of the three stalls earlier this year has left the EDA with little budget for extra accessories.

Access to the public restrooms was also discussed. The building does not have any official city staff and the four businesses all operate on different hours and days open.

“From the liability piece, it almost needs to be something city-tied,” said EDA Vice President Ashley Renollet.

Additional security, including cameras, were also discussed as future additions. The EDA is hoping to use the police budget for any camera purchases.

Mahube-Otwa

A new dishwasher and countertop were approved for Mahube-Otwa. All of the improvements will be paid for by Mahube-Otwa, except for water, which is covered by the city. 

An inspection was also required and it was found that the garage and a classroom are sharing the same heating system, according to City Administrator Stephanie Poegel.

Because the building houses a daycare or classroom, it is mandated that the garage have a second heating system to officially be used as a garage.

“This is why daycares are going away, because all of the rules and regulations that are shoved down their throats,” said Renollet.

Two bids for a second heating and cooling unit for the garage were received from Lakes Country Heating and Air Conditioning at $2,983.98 and Hanson’s Plumbing at $3,618. EDA has funds set aside for Mahube to complete the job and the Lakes Country bid was accepted.

Snow removal

Requests for proposals (RFP) for snow removal at the East Main Avenue retail building in Frazee are open until a due date of Tuesday, Oct. 21. The agreement will last one  year from Nov. 1, 2025 to Oct. 31, 2026. Snow removal will include sidewalks and the parking lot.

All inquiries regarding the full RFP should be directed to cityadmin@frazeecity.com