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Winter Newsletter of the City of Otsego • FEBRUARY2OIO—MARCH2OIO 1111111111111111111 OTSEGO CITY COUNCIL APPROVES 2010 BUDGET The Otsego City Council unanimously approved a 2010 property tax levy of $3,818,000. This consists of $566,000 for debt service and $3,252,000 for General Fund uses shown below. The Otsego 2010 General Fund budget is $250,595 Equipment less than the budget adopted in 2009. $200,000 Administration $379,625 The General Fund includes public safety, public works, parks and recreation, administration, capital Public Safety $839,500 Other Gov't equipment and street and park $492,296 trail maintenance. The rest of the property tax levy consists Engineering of debt service payments for $60,000 Street Lighting money borrowed for previous $95,000 improvements. The tax rate for Otsego is among the Parks&Other lowest in Wright County and is the lowest $315,473 of all surrounding communities. In fact,the 2010 tax rate of 29.31% is lower than the 2003 tax rate of 30.55%. Streets General Fund $1,194,371 In addition,the city's bond rating has improved two steps,from A2 to AA-.This improvement reduces the interest rate the city pays when it borrows money and is seen as an indicator of our overall fiscal strength. IN THIS ISSUE: ` l PAGE TWO: New Commission Members OISEGO PAGE TWO: Notes from the Mayor PAGE THREE: Building Inspector Retires ON "1111: ( R1:,k r RIFER RO:ki) POLICE AND PARKS ENJOYING THE SNOW COMMISSIONS EACH HAVE NEW MEMBER This winter's snow has been great for outdoor enthusiasts. Snowmobilers and cross country skiers have been able to enjoy their leisure time. In Otsego there are both snowmobile trails and Change is constant and that cross country ski trails. certainly is the case with two of the commissions set up to Cross Country Skiing advise the City Council The 70 acre Otsego County Park located on 96th Street has a groomed cross country trail that is maintained by Wright County. The on issues. trail is approximately one and a half miles long and is a great place The Parks and Recreation Commission for beginners to enjoy the scenery along the Mississippi River and had an opening when the commission's become a more adept skier.Trail conditions for this groomed trail and chair, Beverly Kumar, resigned last other trails in Wright County are available at the county's website September.The alternate commission www.co.wright.mn.us. member, Duane Lausang moved up to Near Otsego are other, longer more advanced trails that are favorites be a regular member of the commission. of local skiers. The Elk River Nordic Ski Club maintains the 15km Appointed as the new alternate Woodland Trails at the city's largest park. The main entrance to member for the Parks and Recreation Woodland Trails Park is located on County Road 1. In Maple Grove, the Commission is Kayla Block-Torgerson. Three Rivers Park District has its longest cross country ski trail system The City Council also appointed a new at Elm Creek Park Reserve which has its main entrance off of County member to the Police Commission. Road 81. The trails at Elm Creek Park Reserve are lit for night skiing Jason Warehime, a seven year resident and a daily skiing pass costs$4. of Otsego and former Brooklyn Park Police Explorer and private investigator Snowmobiling is now the newest member of this Otsego and Wright County have important commission. miles upon miles of groomed snowmobile trails.The Otsego trails, which are groomed at S ' Al least weekly, are considered the NOTES ROM MAYOR; best in the county. This is due in $ -� large part to the Otsego River Riders, a group of snowmobilers Greetings Neighbors I hope the committed to the sport. New Year finds you in good health. I would like to take an opportunity to give a special Otsego River Riders has nearly 50 members according to its president, thank you to the members of the Planning Pat Hilden. The group works with the city, property owners and the Commission, Parks and Recreation public to educate and to a certain extent, police snowmobilers. "It's Commission, Heritage Preservation important that all riders respect the property of others. Prior to the Commission and Police Commission. season we mark the trails and meet with landowners, "said Hilden. "We These are residents of Otsego that have want to be able to continue riding and not upset others." been appointed to serve and advise the The group's education efforts include training new riders. Last City Council on various issues. Serving on December the group held a youth training class that attracted 28 young one of the City's advisory commissions is men and women. State law requires that youths attend and pass a a great way to make a contribution to the snowmobile safety certification class.All 28 students passed and 22 of community and continue to make Otsego those are Otsego residents. a great place to live and raise your family. More information regarding each of the More information about Otsego River Riders, snowmobile trails in advisory commissions and their meeting Wright County, and activities planned by the group is available at its schedule is available on the City's website. website www.OGRR.us. The City Council appreciates the efforts of the following individuals: LAST BUILDING INSPECTOR OTSEGO COMES FOR THE CITY RETIRES TOGETHER TO It was March of 2004 when At one time ' CELEBRATE Harold Leonard began working there were - for the City of Otsego as a four building Building Inspector.The next inspectors in '1t - • wy year there were over 500 new Otsego.With rio!: V- V. ' residential units built in the his retirement city.This past December 31st there are nop inspectors - : ff �' he retired to spend more time r. with his wife,three kids and six on the city's �. grandkids. staff and \ - r •;A inspections Leonard came to Otsego process Harold Leonard Santa Claus was a huge hit for because he was"...excited has been Otsego's children and their parents to come here because of the outsourced to Metro West when he visited in December. Literally potential for growth in residential hundreds of kids met St. Nick, had Inspections. and commercial property.This is keepsake photos taken and were given a great city and I've been proud Leonard says his time with a candy cane. to work here." the city was memorable as the housing and commercial _ "A lot has changed here in i► +fir industries flew sky high and , Otsego in the last generation" , then just stopped in their tracks. s s Leonard. "It hasgone from - y Leonard says that growth is _, _ ' _ being a mainly rural area to a city starting to go up Otsego as r , '+. ''v ' p' I that's very well positioned with . nearly 100 residential units r is I # freeways on three sides and has 1- were built in the city in 2009 !1 city water and sewer." an increase from the 80 units ' --.;„:0 / t4T a ere r. in 2008. " t Sleigh rides were also the order of the day when Santa visited Otsego. JESSICA STOCKAM P Children and adults were gliding" ... through the woods..."in an open sleigh. Planning Commission Parks and Recreation Commission Pam Black Krista Bean Q Tamara Fallon Kalya Block-Torgerson �sl� E 9rifalBrian Gerten Mike Brumm Jim Kolles Rose Cassady Richard Nichols Susan Krekelberg Aaron Stritesky Duane Lauseng vow ifirtai John Thelen Kathy Roberts ' • David Thompson Peter Torresani Heritage Preservation Commission Police Commission The City's annual Egg Hunt is not that far away.This free event is scheduled Ron Black Denise Andrusko Norm Freske Paul Fields for Saturday, March 27 from 11 am to Shirley Isaacson John Hinnenkamp 1 pm at Otsego City Hall. Bring your Joan Vasseur Linda Lewis children to search for hidden eggs at Chris Wilson Jane Theisen Prairie Park behind city hall at 8899 Joel Torkelson Nashua Avenue. Rob VanDenBerg Jason Warehime CITY OF EGO FACTS MEETINGS 1.2 These are the scheduled dates and times for these meetings, but there may be changes. i This column answers questions you Please contact City Hall or go to the City's have about the city. Send your questions website to confirm.Agendas and minutes to Otsegonewsletter@gmail.com. are available on the City's website.These meetings take place at City Hall and are open to the public. How DO I REPORT City Council: A STREETLIGHT OUT? Feb 22—Mar 8—Mar 22©7pm Otsego is served by a number of different electric utilities Planning Commission: and they are responsible for Mar 1 —Mar 15 © 7pm keeping the streetlights lit. So Police Commission: if a streetlight is out in your Mar 9©6:30 pm neighborhood, call Tami Loff, Lr our City Clerk at • Parks & Recreation: 763-441-4414 and she will Mar 10 @ 7pm pass the information on to the "' ` correct utility. Heritage Preservation: Check City website srruuroBasmo•mArtm JagaegoS uea JeupleH weA PleMua>uea wol (JolelN) dwe>po;g eoisser inrimmut. :Ilouno3 F;Ia uooN weg:ud wdg weg:nql-uolN ;uewuedao A!IUn uooN-weg wd 9-weg:ngl-uoW ;uawuedea Gulping ` aso a wd we n uo P Ia:.� 9- 8 uol;eJ;slulw :smoH aal}}p £Z99-LVb-£9L:xed - OLEZ-LM'-E9L:61.11111E14m E69 -LtiirE9L ;daa 6ulpling bL1717-Lbb-£9L:uol;eJ;sluwwpv/ulelnl siogwnN auoyd 0££89 NW'o6as10 3N enuenv engseN 6688 :IIeH A;I3 IMEMENEMOMMiz Q�OI 2I1ARI .LVDDIO aH.L NO leuaien plea awll NW`9110dVaNNIIN L6LL'ON 1NN83d 003sju) aIVd 9v1sod.s.n als alasad 10 AID I *TAT' ,_ _ _ __... Newsletter of the City of Otsego `• • DECEMBER 2009/JANUARY 2010 WINTER REGULATIONS & REMINDERS During the winter months there are Kids and Safety Snowmobiles a number of winter and snow related ordinances that Otsego residents need Just like There are rules regarding the use of to be aware of including: adults,kids snowmobiles in the City of Otsego.Many like to play a areas within the city have rules that restrict •There is No Parking on City Streets in the snow, ' snowmobiling.(See the entire ordinance and between 2am and 6am from now but safety \ a map showing where the restrictive parts through April 30. must be of the city are located,in Chapter 8 of the stressed. Otsego City Code on the City's Web site.) •Do not park on streets after a 2.5" Talk with Brad Belair snowfall until the street has been your Children under 14 cannot cross a city fully cleared. children about not building snow forts street on a snowmobile without an adult along the street where the plow has accompanying him or her.Teens between •Do not shovel or push snow into the pushed the snow. In many cases,plow 14 and 18 can cross streets,but only if they street or across a street. drivers cannot see your child playing in have,in their possession,a snowmobile the snow banks."There is one time that safety certificate. The hours of operation •Give plows plenty of room—stay back for all snowmobiles is also regulated. and stay alive. I nearly hit a child who was playing in a snow bank,"said Belair."As I was plowing, From Sunday through Thursday the use Snow Plowing ! / I just happened to see a small black object of snowmobiles is banned between 11 pm v —I protruding from the snow bank.Thankfully, and Sam.On Fridays,Saturdays and days The City plows more .■ • immediately preceding a national holiday, I recognized it as the handle of a children's than 100 miles of ! " snowmobiles are not r• shovel and hit the brakes,hard. It takes a roadway and nearly t while for the truck to stop and as it did,a permitted between 1 am *.:',' 20 miles of trails each j small child emerged from the snow bank and 8am. ,. time it snows.The ____ , . and was within just a foot or two of where city is divided into six A local group,Great , STAY k.. the plow blade on the front of the truck had Rivers Riders,is a ON sections and each driver knows his route TRAIL stopped. The boy was literally inches from very good resource for _ and which streets need to be cleared first. death and I was a wreck.Please,keep kids residents wanting to "The"collector"streets are the ones that away from snow banks on the side of the know more about snowmobiling,where to get plowed first and that we strive to keep roads."In addition,be sure to remind your 'black',"said Public Works Supervisor travel,and it's also a good group of people to children not to slide into the street when get to know and to ride this his winter. The Brad Belair."From there we go into the they are on their saucers or sleds. group's website is:www.ogrr.us this residential streets and cul-de-sacs and work to clear all our streets." IN THIS ISSUE: CITY OF PAGE TWO: Notes from the Mayor OTSEGO PAGE TWO: Santa to Visit Otsego dlIAIIIAIld PAGE THREE: Hospital District Denies Petition ON THE GREAT RIVER ROAD SANTA TO VISIT NOTES FROM THE MAYOR OTSEGO'S CHILDREN The City Council is finalizing the As most of you know, Mark Thorsted Mark your calendars,on City's 2010 budget as the year has resigned from his council seat Saturday, December 12 that jolly old elf himself; ,3 draws to a close. Preparation after accepting a job in his home state of the 2010 budget reflects the of Virginia. I will personally miss Santa Claus will be right kV continuing difficult economic Mark and all that he did for our here in Otsego for Otsego conditions.The City Council is community with his contributions as Santa Day and this is a working to limit expenditures a member of the City Council. The FREE event! while providing efficient,high City Council will be considering a Yes,once again this year the Otsego Park levels of services for residents possible appointment to fill the vacant and Rec Commission has been able to and businesses without raising City Council seat until a special convince Santa that the children of Otsego City property tax rates. The election is held in November 2010. deserve to have him personally visit at this City remains in a very strong very busy time of year for the North Pole financial position as a result of this WARM WISHES TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY FOR THE resident. conservative budgeting policy. UPCOMING HOLIDAY SEASON! Free cookies and refreshments as well as free sleigh rides will be provided for those who visit Santa at the Otsego City Hall. (Children may also drop off their letters to Santa Claus at City Hall.) THREE RIVERS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION Santa will be on hand on Saturday, HONORS O T S E G O RESIDENT December 12 between 10am and 1pm. Otsego City Hall is located at 8899 Nashua Avenue. Photos with Santa will be available Steve Zoubek,pictured here for purchase. with Otsego Mayor Jessica Stockamp,was presented Food donations and toys will be collected and the Distinguished Leaders delivered to Community Aid Elk River(CAER.) Award from the Three Rivers Nor Community Foundation. Steve was honored with the f t award for his ongoing efforts HOLIDAY HOURS to expand soccer in Otsego and neighboring communities = FOR CITY HALL through the Three Rivers Soccer Association(TRSA). Since 2004 Steve has served On Christmas Eve, on the board for the TRSA December 24 S and in 2006 was elected as its and Christmas Day, President. December 25 Photo:Beverly Kumar GZN city offices will be closed. On New Year's Eve, December 31,2009 and New Year's Day,January 1,2010 city offices will be closed. Each of us at the City of Otsego wishes you a joyous holiday season and a prosperous New Year. HOSPITAL DISTRICT DENIES CITY'S OTSEGO COMES DETACHMENT PETITION TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE The Board of the Monticello-Big tax levy within two years.However, Lake Community Hospital District after reviewing the petition and (MBLCHD)voted to deny the City of hearing from the public,the Hospital Otsego Festival Otsego's petition to be detached from District Board,in early October,voted f a,........---- the taxing district. to deny the City's request. y' v 41. As for its next step,the City of Otsego Hospital districts were originally has appealed the decision to the created in the early 1960s as a way .u... „ ~� . �''� Minnesota Court of Appeals. for communities to create and fund ' ,'='". hospital and medical services in Had the detachment petition been approved, where there were no medical P. approved,an Otsego homeowner n haus s Aiii- facilities or the health care services sxhaustsd with a house valued at$200,000 were not adequate to serve the would have saved approximately$50 area's residents.Today,cities are in taxes that is levied by the Hospital not required to be a part of a hospital .4. ,, � ' District. district. : ., More information regarding the City's Certainly much has changed in petition for detachment from the the last 50 years as the Twin Cities } _ •i m MBLCHD is available at the City's area has expanded significantly and '41%. website at www.ci.otsego.mn.us. medical care for Otsego residents is In its petition,Otsego addressed the readily available from many sources It's been a good day,my shirt says it all. four detachment criteria as set out in other than the New River Medical The shirt reads:My parents are exhausted the Board's policy.In addition the City Center. Thus the city petitioned the presented the Hospital District with Hospital District for detachment from a settlement offer in June that would its taxing district. Otsego Pumpkin Patch Day eliminate the Hospital District property • 1,t' • Ii - i � - OTSEGO VIEW GETS UPDATED LOOK, ` ` 4 , ��, , �� :' NEW EDITOR A. You've likely already noticed that the Otsego Newsletter has a completely new look a ; and feel to it."The new look will help residents know right away that this is important city information,"said city administrator Mike Robertson. 4 ,' , t) The new editor is Pat Brink,a relatively new Otsego resident who brings years of L, Itk') `,...." Vill . ‘I N � t experience to the editor position. R ' i In addition to full color and more photos a new feature,called"Just the Facts"will be ` 0 included in upcoming editions."Just the Facts"will answer questions about the city,its people and the businesses that call Otsego home,"said Brink."If you have questions We got our pumpkins! such as'Why do so many streets start with the letter Q or with an 0?'or"Why is that Now it's time to carve them. white barn round?"send them in and I will do my best to get the answers." It's easy to submit your questions and story ideas--email them to: otsegonewsietter@gmail.com HELP OTHERS - DONATE TO CAER MEETING CALENDAR . It is not news that many people are having a hard time making ends meet. But oftentimes we forget that children These are the scheduled dates and times for are also affected by tough economic these meetings,but there may be changes to this times. When school is not in session, such as duringthe winter break, schedule. Please contact City Hall or go to the many - -- � City's website to confirm.Agendas and minutes are children may go hungry for all or part of - asp • available on the City's website.These meetings a day because there is no school lunch. .1 •ring . take place at City Hall and are open to the public. canned souPs While food stamps help,they do not ducts fruit feminirl pro canned cheese CityCouncil: allow the recipients to use them for (pads and macaroni& such items as toothpaste,paper towels tampons) crackers Dec 14-Dec 28-Jan 11 -Jan 25 @ 7pm P P P large size diapers jello or laundry detergent.These items,and (4-6) pudding Planning Commission: others like them,are always in need at paper towels tuna Dec 7-Dec 21 -Jan 4-Jan 18 @ 7pm Kleenex pasta hettio's P your local food bank. laundry soap spag toothpaste pancake mix Police Commission: CAER or Community Aid Elk River is toothbrushes syrup Dec 8-Jan 12 @ 6:30pm the food shelf that has helped Otsego deodorant jelly bar soap hot cereal. residents for more than 30 years.Today, IF Instant rice Parks&Recreation: CAER is serving more than 600 families Dec 9 Jan 13 @ 7pm each month and going though food at Heritage Preservation: a record pace.Listed below are some No Dec Mtg. Jan Mtg.To Be Determined of the items most needed right now. MCAER Donations of food or cash can be made Community Aid Elk River at CAER's office at 19279 Watson Street NW in Elk River. sn•uw•o6asio•!o•nMMn jegjeyos uea Joup!aH wan plemuo>pea wol (io s ) dwm!ools eo!sser :I!auno0 irtm3 uooN—weg:uJ wds—weg:nyl-uo!nI luewliedaa Amin uooN-weg:u3 wd9—W29:nyl-uoj luewuedad 6u!pl!ng pasoo:u3 wd9—weg :nyl-uoW uoge us!u!wpy a�noH ao!j O £Z89-41717-89L:xed O L£Z-177-£9L:6u!II!8 Alum c68Z-1-V17-c9L:'idea 6u!pl!ng 1,1.171,-1.174-89L:uo!leils!u!wpwu!e!n! :sJegwnN auoyd 0££SS NW'060s10 3N anuenyenyseN 6688 :IIeH�1I0 leualeW palep awl[ NW'SfOdV3NNIW MON 111.113 IVANJ AH.1. AO 1.6Ll'ON 1IWL13d d IVd 003SLO -, 30V1SOd'S'n Ols Ol!isud