PELICAN RAPIDS CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES March 11, 2025

Call to Order
Frazier called the regular City Council meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 in Council Chambers, City Hall.
Roll Call of Members: Clerk-Treasurer Danielle Harthun conducted a roll call verifying the presence of Council Members Steve Strand, Shelley Gummeringer, Curt Markgraf, Don Perrin and Mayor Brent E. Frazier
Staff present: Administrator Lance Roisum, Clerk-Treasurer Danielle Harthun, Police Chief Todd Quaintance, CEDA Rep Jordan Grossman, Library Director Marie Schwirian
General Attendance: Lou Hoglund from the Pelican Press
Welcoming Remarks
Mayor Frazier welcomed everyone present and those joining via Zoom. He noted the meeting would be broadcast on the Pelican Rapids YouTube channel and on channel 14 on Wednesday evenings.
Announcements
Mayor Frazier announced upcoming events and meetings.
Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Frazier led those present in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
Citizen's Comments: There were no citizen comments.
Additions / Deletions to Agenda
There were no additions or deletions to the agenda.
Strand moved to approve the agenda. Gummeringer seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Approval of Consent Agenda
Mayor Frazier read the items on the consent agenda:
- Approval of Council Minutes – February 25, 2025
- Approval of Accounts Payable Listings
- Staff Reports including Financial, Police and Library Reports
- Minnesota Lawful Gambling Permit – Dunvilla Shooting Club Inc.
Before approving the consent agenda, Mayor Frazier invited Marie Schwirian, the Library Director, to address the council. Marie provided an update on the library's activities since she started in January. She reported that the HVAC system has been fixed and is now consistently warm throughout the day. New programming has been added, including a monthly DNR Ranger Program for kids, which saw 24 children attending. Other initiatives such as “Books and Brunch” during the week and a Craft Day on Saturdays have been implemented. There has also been feedback requesting an Adult Book Club, which they are considering. Overall, more people are using the library and enjoying the new activities. After Marie’s report, Mayor Frazier called for a motion to approve the consent agenda.
Strand moved to approve the consent agenda. Perrin seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Showcase Pelican Rapids
Jordan Grossman, CEDA Rep, presented information about Showcase Pelican Rapids. The City, as a Chamber member, has the opportunity to attend free of charge. Jordan and Don have prior commitments that day. Jordan asked if any Council Members were interested in having a setup at the event to introduce or reintroduce themselves to the community. She suggested the possibility of an unmanned booth with informational items. Mayor Frazier mentioned he could attend part-time, as he would be at a Lions event across the street at Faith Lutheran Church. Jordan proposed setting up the booth near MN National Bank so it would be monitored without requiring constant staffing.
Gummeringer moved to have an unmanned booth at the Showcase Pelican Rapids. Perrin seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Resolution 2025-07 Outdoor DNR Grant Application
Jordan Grossman presented Resolution 2025-07 regarding an Outdoor DNR Grant application. The grant aims to expand or create outdoor recreation in Minnesota. The project involves making one campsite ADA accessible and reconstructing the bathhouse in Sherin Park. The total project cost is estimated to be $700,000, with the City required to match $350,000.
Administrator Lance Roisum discussed potential funding sources for the matching funds, mentioning the following:
- City Trail Funds
- Park Reserves
- Swimming Pool City Fund
- Sherin Park Paving
Perrin moved to use the discussed funds for the matching requirement. Markgraf seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion to approve RESOLUTION 2025-07 OUTDOOR DNR GRANT AGREEMENT was made by Perrin, seconded by Markgraf. (A complete text of this resolution is part of permanent public record in the City Clerk’s office.) Motion passed and resolution declared duly adopted.
Public Nuisance Ordinance
Police Chief Todd Quaintance presented the proposed changes to the Public Nuisance Ordinance: Most changes align the ordinance with the League of Minnesota Cities template. Key changes include adding language about a “considerable number of members of the community” being affected by nuisances, addressing issues with covered or obstructed license plates on vehicles, including language about unreasonable vibrations, clarifying that property activities should not overflow onto sidewalks and streets, and broadening language from “City Clerk” to “City Administration” for flexibility. The council discussed the changes, with some questions about the vibrations clause. Chief Quaintance speculated it might refer to issues like excessive bass from music. Mayor Frazier noted that no motion would be made that night, as the ordinance would be posted for 10 days before being acted upon at the next meeting.
PRAC Change Request No. 16
Lance Roisum presented Change Request No. 16 for the Pelican Rapids Aquatic Center. The change, necessitated by a Minnesota Department of Health rule, requires moving the hardware on the front door to a height of four feet to adhere to regulations. The estimated cost for this modification is $2,007.64.
Strand moved to approve the Change Order. Markgraf seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Resolution 2025-05 MNDOT Grant Agreement
Lance Roisum presented Resolution 2025-05 concerning a MnDOT Grant Agreement. The grant is allocated for renovations to the A and D Building at the Airport. It is funded as a 95% State Grant requiring a 5% Local Match. The State will contribute $17,320.37, while the city's portion will be $911.60.
Motion to approve RESOLUTION 2025-05 MNDOT GRANT AGREEMENT was made by Markgraf, seconded by Perrin. (A complete text of this resolution is part of permanent public record in the City Clerk’s office.) Motion passed and resolution declared duly adopted.
Resolution 2025-06 MNDOT Grant Agreement
Lance Roisum presented Resolution 2025-06 concerning another MnDOT Grant Agreement. This grant is focused on upgrading the fuel system at the Airport. It involves a 70% state grant coupled with a 30% local match, resulting in a city cost of $11,320.73. The Airport Fund has adequate funds to cover this portion.
Motion to approve RESOLUTION 2025-06 MNDOT GRANT AGREEMENT was made by Perrin, seconded by Markgraf. (A complete text of this resolution is part of permanent public record in the City Clerk’s office.) Motion passed and resolution declared duly adopted.
Resolution 2025-08 Setting a Public Hearing on a Vacation Commenced
Lance Roisum presented Resolution 2025-08 to arrange a public hearing for the vacation of several streets in the southwest area of the city, as some were never officially vacated. The process took time to obtain a suitable legal description for the recorder. Notices will be sent to affected property owners, and the hearing will be posted in the paper.
Motion to approve RESOLUTION 2025-08 SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING ON A VACATION COMMENCED was made by Markgraf, seconded by Strand. (A complete text of this resolution is part of permanent public record in the City Clerk’s office.) Motion passed and resolution declared duly adopted.
Administrator Report
Lance Roisum provided his Administrator report, highlighting various meetings and activities since the last City Council meeting, including: worked with the Clerk and Mayor to set the agenda and prepped for the City Council meeting, attended a Department Head meeting, attended an Ordinance Committee meeting, met with Mary Phillipe, Communications Coordinator for Lakes Country Service Cooperative, as she is working on a story about Pelican Rapids for their LCSC Communicator newsletter, attended an Otter Tail County Housing Convening meeting, he and Jordan met with Scott from Design Intent about the bathhouse plans, attended an Otter Tail County Advisory Committee meeting about the OTC Transportation Plan, met with Arvig and went through each building in preparation for the new phone system, and they plan to install the new system on Tuesday, March 18 starting at the Library, worked with a homeowner on 6th St NE on the removal of a dead tree in the boulevard, completed and issued the Notice of Application and set up a Technical Evaluation Panel meeting to discuss the Wetland Conservation Act Replacement Plan application received for the Ridgecrest lots, worked with PeopleService and Short Elliot Hendrickson Inc. on the monitoring well issue, and he will be gone the week of March 24-28.
Mayor Report
Mayor Frazier reported that since the last City Council Meeting, he has submitted weekly columns to The Press, visited with area businesses and non-profits, attended an Ordinance Meeting at City Hall on February 26 with Administrator Roisum, Clerk Harthun, Police Chief Quaintance, and Parks & Streets Superintendent Olson, conducted a “Conversations with the Mayor” session at the Library on February 27, attended an Otter Tail County Housing Convening Meeting at City Hall with Administrator Roisum on February 27, presented the Welcome at the First Responders Banquet on March 2 at The Barn in Dunvilla, attended an Otter Tail County Emergency Management Summit Design Team Meeting at City Hall with Police Chief Quaintance and Otter Tail County & West Central Initiative personnel on March 7, and met on March 10 with Administrator Roisum to plan the agenda for this afternoon’s City Council Meeting.
Adjourn
Strand moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:05 p.m. Gummeringer seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned.

Danielle Harthun,
Clerk-Treasurer
4-10-c