Fire, rescue departments team up on training

By Robert Williams

Editor

The Frazee City Council passed a resolution approving plans and specifications and ordering advertisement for bids until Thursday, May 7, according to City Engineer Chris Thorson. The date is set so that bids can be discussed at the following City Council meeting six days later.

Plans and specifications are for the construction project consisting of the following areas:

• Elm Avenue from 2nd Street NW to 5th Street NW

• Fir Avenue from 3rd Street NW to 5th Street NW

• 4th Street NW from Cedar Avenue to Fir Avenue

• 5th Street NW from Birch Avenue to Hickory Avenue

• Lift Station near Elementary School on Hickory Avenue

• nd Street NW from Ash Avenue to Elm Avenue

• Birch Avenue from 2nd Street NW to 3rd Street NW

• Ash Avenue from Lake Street to 2nd Street NE

• Alley by Frazee Event Center from Lake Street to 2nd Street NE

• Birch Avenue from Lake Street to 2nd Street NE

• 2nd Street NE from Birch Avenue to Main Avenue East

• Parking Lots at the Event Center/Liquor Store

• Juniper Avenue East from Lake Street to 2nd Street SE

Council comments

Council member Andrea Froeber discussed recent proposed electricity rates by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC). She encouraged residents to contact Otter Tail Power with their concerns.

Otter Tail Power Company filed a request with the PUC to increase rates for Minnesota customers of approximately 17.7 percent, or $44.8 million. According to an investing.com report, a typical residential customer would see their monthly bill increase by about $18.14, while business customers would face an average increase of $73.20 per month.

A regulatory 18-24 month review by the PUC will evaluate the company’s costs for providing electric service.

Froeber also repeated her request for community support for the bonding bill to help fund Wannigan Regional Park. She noted the League of Minnesota Cities has requested the legislature be fiscally prudent due to the League’s budget forecast, including bonding prospects. Bonding bill approval will require a 60 percent vote in both chambers.

To support the Wannigan Park bonding request visit www.wanniganpark.com and click the support state bonding request button at the bottom of the homepage.

Fire

The department is adding one fully-certified firefighter to bring the total number of firefighters to 21 with one other still in probationary status.

There were 10 calls for service in March, two were mutual aid given to Vergas and Wolf Lake. 

Four sets of gear and eight sections of hose were contaminated by fuel and oils during a recent tractor trailer fire, according to Chief Adam Walker. The lost items will be replaced via insurance claim.

The year to date call total is 26.

Frazee Fire joined Frazee Rescue and completed ice/water rescue training at Town Lake Beach.

“It was great to see the coordination between you guys and Fire in training down at the lake,” said Mayor Mike Sharp. “It’s always great to see departments working together.”

Walker noted the combined training has helped the departments get to know each other and learn how to work together.”

Parks and Rec

The road construction timeline at Wannigan Park has been pushed back approximately 2-2.5 months, according to minutes of the Parks and Recreation Committee meeting in late March. Construction is scheduled for late summer/fall. The delay was driven by conversations with the county regarding the entrance design. The originally planned roundabout entrance has been eliminated in favor of a simpler turn-off from North River Road just before the westward curve. 

The county has committed to paying for paving all the way to the north campground entrance within the park. The $150,000 previously allocated for the roundabout has been reallocated, though this required some redesign work. The delayed timeline means construction will not interfere with Turkey Days or National Trails Day events. 

Design meetings have produced ideas for playground equipment, a shower/bath house, an additional restroom at the trailhead parking area, two scenic overlooks, and the campground development. 

Bicycling

The committee confirmed dates for both the bike rodeo (May 23, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and bike rally (September 13 1-3 p.m.). 

Essentia is donating $1,000, along with another $1,000 of secured funding from Project 412, for artistic bike racks in area cities. One bike rack is planned for Frazee’s Town Lake Beach and the proposed funding will cover all the costs of the rack. 

Lions Park

The committee discussed the restroom opening timeline, with Tyler Trieglaff estimating they would open within the next couple weeks once frost issues are resolved. Day of Caring activities on May 6 may be used for cleanup work at various parks including Lions Park and Hank Ludtke Park. 

Jim Rader noted that surveying work has been taking place at Lions Park recently, as the property is not fully annexed into the city except for the cemetery portion. The surveying aims to clarify property boundaries.

Liquor

Amanda Young reported March sales were very similar to 2025 as Third Crossing continues to match or exceed expectations. Event Center Manager Jolene Tappe noted the large crowd at the bar Wednesday night during the council meeting and commended Young for her efforts.

“The reason the bar is doing well is because of her,” said Tappe. “They come because of her.”

Froeber also credited Young for her work.

Young also has a part-time opening for those interested. The job is extra help and varied hours up to 20 per week, mainly working in Young’s place while away.

Young stated she is looking for someone with experience to handle both on and off sale duties at the same time.

Pickleball

Having completed bank reconciliations for 2025, the city earned enough in interest to cover the $25,000 donation to the pickleball project.

Planning and Zoning

Snowmobile trail access was discussed at the March 24 Planning and Zoning Committee meeting. Snowmobile trail connectivity through town faces significant regulatory and practical obstacles that may not have viable solutions.

Current trails end at various points, leaving snowmobilers without legal routes to reach businesses in the downtown area. The discussion covered potential routes but identified significant obstacles including railroad right-of-way restrictions and state highway limitations.

Rescue

Frazee Rescue has responded to 86 calls as of March 31, 21 more than last year and 33 more than 2024, according to Chief Matt Johnson’s report.

For March, there were 34 calls, all responded to. A dozen were in Burlington Township and another 12 in city limits. Of the 34 calls, 27 were medically-related.

Trees

City Administrator Stephanie Poegel reported Frazee is aiming to earn Tree City status and needs to create a Tree Board to do so.

In 2021, 111 Minnesota cities were recognized as Tree City USA communities. The program, managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), honors towns meeting four standards: maintaining a tree board, having a tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita, and celebrating Arbor Day.

The council passed a resolution to have the Parks and Recreation Committee serve as the city’s Tree Board.

Trails

A special meeting will be held at Hobart Township Hall on Thursday, April 16 at 6:30 p.m., to discuss the future trail connecting Vergas to Frazee.