Councilman Steve Strand, far right, is sworn into office at the Jan. 10 Pelican Rapids City Council meeting. The full council, from left, Steve Foster, Curt Markgraf, Mayor Brent Frazier, Kevin Ballard, and Strand. Also sworn in, following their November win in the general election, Foster and Frazier.

“It’s a good thing I’m tall, because I’m just trying to keeop my head above water.” 

That was the comment from Pelican Rapids’ new city administrator Lance Roisum, at his first formal meeting with the Pelican city council. 

At about 6 foot-six inches, Roisum has the distinction of being the tallest administrator in Otter Tail County—to the best of our knowledge. 

Roisum replaced 18-year city administrator Don Solga, and the Jan. 10 new year meeting was his first full meeting with the city. 

Various appointments were approved at the first meeting of 2023. 

Sworn into office were re-elected councilmembers Steve Foster and Curt Markgraf. Mayor Brent Frazier also took the oath. 

Appointed acting mayor was Steve Foster. 

The city’s official banks were approved as Minnesota National Bank and Bell Bank. 

The city’s legal firm is Krekelberg law office.

The Pelican Rapids Press was named the city’s official newspaper. 

Memberships were approved with various municipal-related organizations. Among them, the League of Minnesota Cities, Minnesota Council of Airports, and Otter Tail LakesCountry Association.

Mileage paid to city employees, using their own personal vehicles for city-related business, was set at 65 cents per mile. 

An outdoor sales lot license was approved for Jovanny Zavala Martinez.