Community News

The City of Roseau posts current public notices, information and events on this site. 

Public Informational Meeting - 2025 Highway 11 Reconstruction

Representatives from the Minnesota Department of Transportation will be holding a public informational meeting on the 2025 Trunk Highway 11 Reconstruction project March 12th from 4 - 6 pm in the City Center Community Room (121 Center Street E). Anyone wanting to learn more about the project or ask questions of MnDOT representatives should attend. 

www.dot.state.mn.us/d2/projects/hwy11-roseau/index.html 

Public Notice - Initial Service Line Materials Inventory and Service Line Materials Inventory Accessibility

Initial Service Line Materials Inventory Notifications and Service Line Materials Inventory Accessibility Notification

Roseau Public Works          PWSID: 1680003

Roseau Public Works has completed and submitted our service line materials inventory to the Minnesota Department of Health. The service line inventory is publicly available, and you can check the materials for your service line by visiting the Lead Inventory Tracking Tool (LITT) at https://maps.umn.edu/LSL/ you may also contact us at Roseau Public Works at 218-463-2351 or mike.picard@city.roseau.mn.us.

To complete the service line inventory our system used several methods to determine the service line material. Home inspections was the most prevalent. As-builts were used in conjunction with the lead ban of 1985. The city also utilized self-evaluations from the homeowners.  As of 10/1/2024, our inventory contains 1 lead, 0 galvanized requiring replacement, 38 unknown material, and 1054 non-lead service lines.

Roseau Public Works will keep working hard to determine the remaining unknowns and keep the drinking water safe for the residents of Roseau.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

 

Thank you,

City of Roseau

Public Hearing - TH89 Project

A public hearing will be held on October 7, 2024 at 5:00 pm in the Roseau City Council Chambers located at 121 Center Street E; Suite 201, Roseau, MN to obtain public comment on the proposed Minnesota Trunk Highway 89 reconstruction project. 

Does Your Home Need Repairs? The Minnesota Housing Fix Up Fund Can Help

Minnesota Housing is a trusted State agency that works with local lenders to provide affordable home improvement loans. From DIY projects to big remodels, a Fix Up loan will help you achieve your vision without breaking your budget! 

Minnesota Housing offers a variety of loan programs for various different projects and income levels through its Fix-Up Loan Program, Energy Loan Plus Program, Rehabilitation Loan Program and its Emergency & Accessibility Loan Program. 

Border Bank of Roseau is a participating Minnesota Housing Fix Up Fund lender. Contact Anna Stewart for more information 218-463-3888.

City Seeking Interest in Application for Block Grant funding for Commercial and Rental Housing Rehab

The City of Roseau is seeking interest from local commercial and rental housing property owners in pursuing a grant application to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) for Small Cities Community Block Grant funding to undertake building repairs and upgrades. If you have a commercial building or rental housing located within the city of Roseau that is in need of rehabilitation to the building envelope or critical heating, electrical or mechanical systems and you would be interested in making improvements utilizing grant funding from this program please contact Todd Peterson, Community Development Coordinator at 218-463-5003. The City is seeking prospective projects for an application, actual funding would be dependent upon a successful application to DEED in the fall of 2024.

City Proclaims March 1, 2024 Amanda Giles Day

The City of Roseau is proud to announce March 1, 2024, as Amanda Giles Day, in honor of her contributions to the Roseau Girls Hockey Tradition. Amanda Giles was named the 2024 State AA Girls Coach of the Year and the 2024 Section 8AA Girls Coach of the Year for her accomplishments during the 2023-24 Season leading her team to a Section 8AA Championship and a sixth place finish at the 2024 Girls AA State Tournament.

City Proclaims February 29, 2024 Jasmine Hovda Day

The City of Roseau is proud to announce February 29, 2024, as Jasmine Hovda Day, in honor of her contributions to the Roseau Girls Hockey Tradition. Jasmine Hovda was named Girls Hockey AA All State Honorable Mention and to the 2024 Minnesota State AA Girls Hockey All Tournament Team for her accomplishments during the 2023-24 Season and in the 2024 Girls AA State Tournament.  Jasmine led the Lady Rams in scoring helping the team to a Section 8AA Championship and a sixth place finish at the 2024 Girls AA State Tournament.

 

City Proclaims February 28, 2024 Samantha Peterson Day

The City of Roseau is proud to announce February 28, 2024, as Samantha Peterson Day, in honor of her contributions to the Roseau Girls Hockey Tradition. Samantha Peterson was awarded the 2024 Girls AA Herb Brooks Award at the 2024 Minnesota State AA Girls Hockey Tournament. The Herb Brooks Award is given to the most qualified hockey player in the state tournament who strongly represents the values, characteristics, and traits that defined Herb Brooks. This prestigious award will commemorate the unending influence Herb Brooks had on the sport of hockey in Minnesota and throughout the world.

Award winners must exhibit the following characteristics:

  • True love for hockey — a real passion 
  • Commitment and loyalty to school, team, and community 
  • Willingness to sacrifice for the team 
  • Integrity 
  • Courage of his/her convictions 
  • Goal-oriented approach 
  • Sharp focus and strong competitive drive 
  • Excellent work ethic 
  • Willingness to accept challenges 
  • Mental toughness 
  • Strong hockey skills 
  • Strong leadership qualities 

City Proclaims February 21, 2024 as Gabe Bunke Racing Day

A Milestone Celebration. The City of Roseau is proud to announce February 21, 2024, as Gabe Bunke Racing Day, honoring the legacy of the Bunke family's contributions to snowmobile racing. Join us in August as we celebrate this honor during the Polaris 70th Anniversary event. Together, we continue to champion the spirit of innovation and community that defines us.

City Proclaims February 23, 2024 Robert Honstrom Day

The City of Roseau honors Robert Honstrom for his dedicated service to the Roseau community by proclaiming February 23, 2024 Robert Honstrom Day in the City of Roseau! Mr. Honstrom was recently awarded the District A Caregiver of the Year Award for his exceptional commitment to older adults. What sets Mr. Honstrom's work with individuals at the LifeCare Roseau Manor apart is his passion for making a meaningful impact on the lives of our older residents. Thank you Robert for making Roseau great! 

Wellness Center Feasibility Study

The Roseau Wellness Center stakeholder committee recently competed a feasibility study for a new wellness center in the community.  A link to the project study is provided below. The committee is currently working on an operations pro forma and plan for a capital campaign for project financing.  A grant application for roughly 1/2 of the construction cost has been submitted to the State of Minnesota for consideration of a capital grant.  The City has also investigated the potential for a local sales tax to assist in the funding of the project, however, a State 2-year moratorium on local sales tax establishment has put that effort on hold.  The committee will continue to seek funding options to complete the project and public comment is always welcome.  Please forward comments to todd.peterson@city.roseau.mn.us.

Public Notice - EDA Storm Water Project

PUBLIC NOTICE

The U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA) is considering a request for Federal assistance from City of Roseau to construct a West Side Storm Sewer Modification in Roseau, Roseau County, Minnesota for the elimination of localized urban flooding. Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, EDA is conducting an environmental assessment (EA) of the proposed project.

City Council Enacts Business Licensing for the Sale of Cannabinoids (THC Infused Products)

On July 27, 2023 the Roseau City Council amended the Roseau City Code to regulate the sale of cannabinoids or THC infused products (drinks and edibles).  Any retailer seeking to sell THC infused products must follow the newly adopted city regulations and obtain a license from the City of Roseau.  The fee for a license to sell THC infused products is $2,000.

Any retailer seeking to sell Cannabinoids in the City of Roseau must also be registered with the State of Minnesota 

https://redcap.cannabis.web.health.state.mn.us/redcap/surveys/?s=9DR8MHLCKY48JMLJ

City Council Places Moratorium on Cannabis Sales and enacts Ordinance Prohibiting Use of Cannabis in Public Spaces

On July 27, 2023 the Roseau City Council enacted an Ordinance that places a moratorium on the sale of cannabis within the City until January 2025.  Additionally, the City Council enacted an Ordinance prohibiting the use of cannabis in all public space including: public buildings, public parks, streets, sidewalks or any other public spaces.  Cannabis use is restricted to private property only, with owner permission.   

Lots for Sale - Oak Crest Estates First Addition

The City of Roseau is current offering for sale lots in the newly created Oak Crest Estates Subdivision.  For more information on lots, pricing and timelines please contact Todd Peterson, Community Development Coordinator at 218-689-0047 or todd.peterson@city.roseau.mn.us.

 

Public Input Wanted on Proposed Rental Housing Inspection Ordinance

The Roseau City Council and Roseau Planning Commission are seeking public input on a proposed rental inspection ordinance.  The rental inspection ordinance is proposed to protect the public health, safety and welfare of the community at large and the residents of rental dwellings in the City of Roseau.  Anyone with a comment on the proposed ordinance should forward those comments to the Roseau Community Development Coordinator at todd.peterson@city.roseau.mn.us for consideration by the Planning Commission and City Council as they contemplate the possible adoption of this ordinance.  

City Council Selects New Police Chief

The Roseau City Council met in special session on December 8th to interview three finalists for the city's Chief of Police position.  After the interviews and background checks, the Roseau City Council was pleased to name current Roseau Police Officer Marc Hodge as the new Chief.  Current Police Chief Ward Anderson will be retiring from duty on December 31, 2022 at which time Police Officer Hodge will assume the Chief position.

Minnesota Manufacturer's Month Recognition

On October 27th our area manufacturers were recognized for the important contributions they make to our local communities.  As part of the recognition breakfast held at the Roseau City Center, area students were selected to recite their winning essays they wrote on the importance of our area manufacturing companies to our communities.  Each student was awarded a scholarship prize for their winning essay by the NW Minnesota Manufacturers Association.  This year's winners were Talisha Hamann (BGMR HS), Paige Boyer (Roseau HS), Maxwell Casperson (Warroad HS) and Emily Tange (LOW HS).

City Receives Funding for Recreational Center Feasibility Study

The City of Roseau has received $40,000 from the Blandin Foundation Rural Boost Grant to perform a development and feasibility study for an indoor community recreation and wellness facility for the community.  

Short-Term Rental & Communal Housing Ordinance Changes

The Roseau City Council recently revised the City's zoning code to allow for the permitting of short-term rental and communal housing options in residential zoning districts as conditional uses.  Anyone seeking to create a short-term rental (e.g. AirB&B, VRBO) in their property must follow the guidelines established by the new city code.  Additionally, the revised ordinance expands the definition of "family" to allow for more options for communal living arrangements in residential zoning districts.  Furthermore, through a conditional use permit, a property owner can create additional communal housing arrangements for unrelated individuals to share housing in single family residential district.  Attached are the ordinance revisions adopted.

Please Remove All Sump Pump Discharge from Sanitary Sewer Inlets

The City of Roseau Utility Department urges all residents to remove any sump pump discharges from the city's sanitary sewer system immediately.  Storm water is prohibited from being discharged into the city's sanitary sewer lines.  First of all, storm water does not need to be treated and therefore puts unnecessary strain on the entire sanitary treatment system for no practical purpose.  Secondly, the sanitary system was not designed to process this huge increase in water volume, ultimately leading to overloading of the sanitary sewer piping and lift station capacity.  Once system capacity is reached the excess water must go somewhere and that is back into basements of homes, and the water is no longer rain water, it is sewage.  In the two most recent rain events, the city's sanitary sewer system has witnessed a huge spike in volume that can only be explained by a significant number of sump pumps discharging into the sanitary mains.  In both cases the system nearly failed which would have lead to flooded basements.  Please make sure your sump pump is configured to discharge outside of your home.  

Driver's License Testing Services have Resumed in Roseau

The State of Minnesota DVS Driver's Testing Services have resumed at the Roseau City Center on Fridays for both written and driving tests.  DVS also offers driver's knowledge testing online so persons needing to take a knowledge test do not need to travel to do so.  For more information on the new online testing services visit the Minnesota DVS website.

Persons needing an on-the-road test must make an appointment at one of the State testing centers.  Currently, appointments at the Roseau Site are only opened two-weeks in advance due to limited staffing.  Please check the Minnesota DVS site no more than two weeks in advance of the date you would like to make an appointment. Contact Minnesota DVS for more information https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs/online-self-services/Pages/default.aspx.

Support for New and Existing Childcare Providers

The Northwest Minnesota Foundation is leading an initiative to increase number and quality child care slots.  Technical and financial resources are being made available to both existing and new childcare providers in the NW Minnesota Counties, including Roseau County, with the expressed purpose of increasing child care slots, increasing the number of Parent Aware rated child care providers and/or those providers who are already rated and are moving up the rating scale, and to retain existing child care slots.  Childcare providers can qualify for up to $5,000 in loan, or forgivable loan, assistance for new and existing providers.  For more information contact Missy Okeson, NMF Program Officer, Community Impact (missyo@nwmf.org or 218-759-6510) 

New city Park campground reservation system - CAMPSPOT

Roseau is updating its reservation system for the city park campground during the week of April 19-23. 

During this time please avoid trying to make reservations as it may result in errors in the booking. 

If you have any questions or concerns about your existing booking please contact the parks and recs director, Keith Severson, at 218-626-5996 or by email - keith.severson@city.roseau.mn.us

Funds available for Area Childcare Providers

The Northwest Minnesota Foundation has forgivable loans and low interest loans available to childcare providers to increase the availability of childcare in our area. Childcare providers located in the following Minnesota counties: Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake and Roseau are eligible for funding for the costs of obtaining child care licenses, obtaining Parent Aware ratings, safety improvements, and other operational costs such as: toys, furnishings, equipment and other related items directly benefiting the child care business.  New childcare providers or existing childcare providers seeking to change their license to increase capacity are eligible to receive up to $5,000 in a forgivable loan (0% interest) for up to five years.  Existing providers not seeking to increase capacity are eligible for up to $5,000 in low-interest loans (1.5%) for up to five years.  A lower interest rate of .5% is available to existing providers seeking to become Parent Aware certified or to increase their Parent Aware rating. 

 

The Child Care Finance Program was created to recognize and support the child care providers in Northwest Minnesota.  For more information and applications contact the Northwest Minnesota Foundation at 218-759-2057 or visit their website at www.nwmf.org  

Public Notice on Proposed Change to Nuisance Ordinance - Weeds & Long Grass

The Roseau City Council will consider changes to its Public Nuisance Ordinance pertaining to Weeds and Long Grass at its September 10, 2018 Regular City Council Meeting.  The revised ordinance will address issues within the city where property owners are not maintaining weeds and long grass on their properties in a timely manner.  The existing ordinance allows for 10 days to address a nuisance situation, the new ordinance will shorten the length of time to address a nuisance situation down to 4 days before the city will take action to abate a nuisance property.  Also, chronic offenders will only receive two abatement notifications in one year before the city will automatically abate a nuisance condition without prior warning.  Finally, if the City is required to clean-up a nuisance condition on private property, then the City will assess a $100 fine in addition to all costs incurred to bring the property into compliance.  Anyone with comments related to this proposed ordinance change should direct those comments to the Roseau City Clerk's Office at 463-1542 prior to the September 10, 2018 City Council meeting.   

Recycle Bins Relocated

Mar-Kit Recycle Bins Relocated

 

The recycling bins previously located near the Roseau Fire Hall have been relocated to make more room for parking at the new South Riverview Park splashpad.  The bins are now located on the NW side of the Roseau County Courthouse complex at the Minnesota Highway 89 and 6th Street SW intersection.   

New LOMR Floodplain Maps Become Effective July 31, 2017

The City of Roseau was notified by FEMA Region V on July 7, 2017 that the Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) to the Roseau Floodplain Maps has been approved to go effective on July 31, 2017.  What this means for local residents is that nearly all of the parcels within the city limits will be removed from the 100-year regulatory floodplain on July 31, 2017.  Furthermore, the new LOMR maps allow most property owners in the city to cancel their mandatory flood insurance policies.  Attached are instructions and the documents needed for property owners to provide to their insurance agents to initiate the process of cancelling flood insurance if you choose not to carry flood insurance.  For those who choose to continue to maintain their flood insurance policies, you should be able to receive significant reductions in premiums as a result of the changes to the floodplain maps.  All properties removed from the 100-year floodplain are listed in Appendix A of the attachments below.  The properties are listed by Tax Parcel ID.  If you do not see your parcel listed on Appendix A it may be one of a handful of properties that did not appear to be removed from the floodplain as a result of the East Diversion Project LOMR.  This does not necessarily mean your properties are still in the floodplain, but they appeared to be in the floodplain from the LOMR maps.  Additional investigation on lowest floor elevations, lowest adjacent grades and other data may be necessary to make an official determination.   Questions about the new floodplain maps and the process for cancelling flood insurance policies can be directed to Todd Peterson, Community Development Coordinator at 218-463-5003.

Sign Up for E-billing

Utility customers can help keep utility rates down and protect the environment by signing up for electronic billing instead of receiving a paper bill in the mail.  To sign up for electronic billing, where you will receive an e-mail bill versus a paper bill, sign on to PSN Payments Bill Pay and opt out of future paper billing.  The PSN payment portal also provides various options for electronic payments, automatic payments and credit card payments.