ITEM 3.2A SCC 5.29.2018 MinutesITEM 3.2A
OTSEGO CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
OTSEGO PRAIRIE CENTER
MAY 29, 2018
Call to Order.
Mayor Stockamp called the meeting to order at 8:16 PM.
Roll Call: Mayor Jessica Stockamp; Councilmembers: Vern Heidner, Jason Warehime, Corey
Tanner and Tom Darkenwald. Staff: Adam Flaherty, City Administrator/Finance Director; Daniel
Licht, City Planner; Kevin Lamson, Street Operations Manager; Ross Demant, Parks and
Recreation Director; Kurt Neidermeier, Utility Manager; and Tami Loff, City Clerk.
1. 2019 Budget Discussion.
Council Roundtable; City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty stated this is an opportunity
for the City Council to express their current view on City services and programs. During the
council roundtable CM Tanner spoke of request he has received for an indoor or outdoor curling
facility and also a swimming aquatic center. The cost was discussed and that it would need to
be added to the CIP and also input from the community would be needed.
Mayor Stockamp said last year the City Council directed some proactive code enforcement; City
staff was to identify some properties of concern with junk and blithe. She asked how that went;
if it was successful. City Planner Licht to gather a report on the properties and present to the
City Council at a later date.
CM Warehime said we budgeted for the Fire Study and ended up with a grant for the study. He
questioned what fund that money will be placed. City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty
said the study was budgeted in the Fire Reserve Fund, and since the study was funded with a
grant, the funding will remain within the Fire Reserve Fund.
CM Warehime also said he would like the rental license requirement to be reviewed. He said he
has had complaints on the inconvenience of the once a year inspection. He suggested looking
at every other year. City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty said this item was discussed at
the last Administrative Subcommittee meeting, and that the city continues to get complaints on
the rental inspections. The recent one he referred to was just the inconvenience of the
inspection for the landlord on a yearly basis. The Administrative Subcommittee discussed
wanting to know the reasoning of the complaints. City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty
said City staff is tracking that data on a monthly basis.
Assumptions; City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty reviewed potential assumptions for
use in budgeting wages and salaries. The City Council concurred to start with 2.5%.
City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty said that City staff had the Disability and Life
Insurance quoted out and have an opportunity to save some money. He said our current Life
Insurance policy is for $10,000 per employee. The new plan would be either a $10,000 policy
with a $12 monthly savings or we can increase to $25,000 for an additional $80 per month. He
also said the disability plan currently is 60% or $500 weekly benefit. The new plan would be
60% or $750 weekly benefit with a $77 per month savings. The City Council concurred with the
Life Insurance policy at $25,000 and the short term Disability benefit to $750.
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ITEM 3.2A
2019 Staffing; City Clerk said the laserfiche project is winding down; she questioned if the
Heritage Preservation Commission is still looking at having their files and photos scanned and
laserfiched. CM Tanner to work with the HPC to come up with a plan.
Street Operations Manager Lamson reviewed the request for an additional Maintenance 1
employee for 2019. He said the streets department is currently at seven full time employees
and have been at that staff level since 2010. With all the development and infrastructure
showing its age, additional maintenance is needed and the desire to continue the same level of
service, he is recommending the addition.
Parks and Recreation Director Demant reviewed the request for an addition of a Park
Maintenance 1 position for 2019. He said in 2019 the parks infrastructure will potentially have
six additional parks to maintain and six new miles of trails since 2012. He reviewed the potential
job duties and cost savings from services that would no longer be contracted for.
Utility Manger Neidermeier reviewed the request for an additional seasonal position next year.
City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty had no requests for staffing additions but
mentioned he will continue to monitor the Receptionist/Office Assistant position with the
potential need for that position to increase beyond the current 32 hours per week.
Fund Balance Policy; City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty said the City's Fund Balance
Policy states that the minimum General Fund Balance should be 45% of the subsequent year
budget. Based on the policy, the amount available for transfer is $948,076, and he reviewed
four options for the City Council. He recommended the transfer follow policy and be placed into
the Capital Improvement Revolving fund, and further assigned for local shares on upcoming
County road projects. The Council concurred with this recommendation, and directed
preparation of formal approval at a future meeting.
City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty reminded the City Council of the Special Meeting on
June 11 to review the audit.
2. Adjourn.
CM Darkenwald motioned to adjourn. Seconded by CM Warehime. All in favor.
Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:55 PM.
Mayor Jessica Stockamp
ATTEST:
Tamil Loff, City Clerk
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