Fall The
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ON THE GREAT RIVER ROAD NV
Vol. 14 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2003 Newsletter of the City of Otsego
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ON THE GREAT RIVER ROAD o� , , �yr/
* An estimated 2,000 people enjoyed the Otsego
Festival Saturday, September 13 at Otsego Prairie ,.�.
` Park,up from last year. Activities included(clockwise
i from bottom left)"The Godfather"visiting vendor
'` `-� It " booths with Godfather's owner Rudy Thibodeau,games,
food and craft vendors and community information
.,. - °-... booths, and bucket truck rides from Wright Hennepin Cooperative Electric.
Below right: Committee Chair Rose Cassady watches people enjoying the festival.
e Cassady is pleased with the turn out and thanks
the many volunteers and sponsors, including
committee members Lynne
,_ ,:, ,t; 4 -- Kasper, Kathy Roberts,Mark
' "" ._' Thorstad, Debbie Beauchane,
' 'I**,� ,` - Dixie Flom, Kathy Bandy, Kandi
, � , _ Kath, Keith Raney, Diane :•�
i 4 Comstock, and Sheri Olson. They
`` - especially want to thank the major A1
` - sponsors of the festival: Wright- `
Hennepin, Riverview Bank,First
44;I:'
,. _. . 0
National Bank, and The Bank of a
IN
Elk River.
i Planning for 2004 has already
0 .� begun. Contact Cassady(763-
{ 4 441-8769)for more information.
City of Otsego
8899 Nashua Avenue NE
Otsego,MN 55330 ,a;,,
Fax(763)4414 City Budget 2004 ' ��,.�4 4 d 11
Email:cityhall@ci.Otsego.mn.us
OFFICE HOURS The City Council has been working on the city's NOTES
Monday through Thursday budget for 2004. Budget time is a process of balancing
8:00 a.m.to 6:00 p.m. revenues with expenditures to provide the essential from the
Closed Fridays services we need. Budget increases are usually MAYOR
CITY COUNCIL
Mayor determined by citizen input and the need to expand a
Larry Fournier service. This year the Minnesota State Legislature,
Council Members ,balancing their budget, created a difficult task for Ma or Fournier
Vern Heidner by y Larry
Dan Scharber many city governments. The Legislature did cut most of *.— ►_.,
Jerry Struthers the state aid money from our revenue budget, and at the
Virginia Wendel same time put limits on how much our 2004 budget levy can increase to cover the need to
CITY STAFF
Mike Robertson,City Administrator expand services. In a growing city like Otsego, there is a need to expand some services to
Judy Hudson,City Clerk/Zoning meet the needs of a larger population. The city must live within these state guidelines and
Administrator the City Council will find ways to fund all our budget requirements. Areas which I see the
Karee Rowell,Deputy Clerk
Dave Chase,Maintenance City Council increasing funding for are, law enforcement and street maintenance. You
Supervisor will be able to review your city budget anytime at Otsego City Hall or at our"Truth in
Tim Rochel,Building Official Taxation"meetings in December 2003.
Jody Bailey,Grover,Bookkeeper
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Otsego Festival committee for the
Kathy Bookkeeper PP tY g
Rick Knutson,Maintenance wonderful job they did in putting together Otsego's second festival celebration. It was
Sandy Lindenfelser,Secretary even bigger and better than last year, with great reviews from everyone. Again,thank you
Tauri Loff,Receptionist
Don Mass,Maintenance so very much for a job well done.
Kenny Shierts,Maintenance
PLANNING ZONING
Richard Nichols,Chair Otsego Park and Recreation Commission
Pam Black
Ken Fry
Jim Kolles
Steve Schuck J
Carl Swenson
David Thompson "'
Doug Hackman, 1St altemate
, vilti *It 400, '
Tammie Fallon,2nd alternate
PARKS&RECREATIONS
Rose Cassady , �
Terry Long
Pauline Nelson z 7
Jessica Stockamp
Mark Thorstad
Peter Torresani ,,,,;, ,
HERITAGE PRESERVATION
Ron Black,Chair . �,
Sharon Carter,Vice Chair
Jeannine S.Christensen
K.Joel Coles
u.
Jean Schneider,Secretary fin, if
Joy Swenson - x
Chris Wilson k'"'•r� r `
POLICE COMMISSION
Sandra Michaelson,Chaira
Jane M.Bartheld,Secretary ' .
Thomas Carter
Kathie Davis
Tom Koerwitz
Alvin McClure
Rudy Thibodeau,Vice Chair
(�70T MEW LEFT TO RIGHT:Terry Long,Jessica Stockamp, Peter Torresani, Rose Cassady Jeff Bartheld, Mark
LL�� g0 Thorstad, Pauline Nelson.
The Otsego View is the community The Park and Recreation Commission is composed of volunteer residents appointed
newsletter for the city of Otsego. by the City Council to plan for parks, trails and recreation in the city. The Park and
Jacquie Rognli,Editor Recreation Commission meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m.The
Correspondence should be sent to public is always welcome to attend.New members are currently being sought. Contact
Otsego City Hall. way
t% Contains 50%recycled pre- City Hall for an application.
consumer materials.
0
Firearms ordinance Otsego History istorical
revised Books Available 1 g h I i g hts
As development expands in Otsego, so .
has the zone designated for no discharge -,�
of firearms. Firearms may not beR •
`
discharged in populated areas of the city , •
as designated in the Otsego Firearms
Ordinance. Copies of the ordinance, which ,.. ` ,
includes a map indicating the no-discharge5,,,y.,...:.-
zone, can be picked up at City Hall. •
4.4
Hunting is permitted in Otsego only "" `
outside the no-discharge zone so long as -.`*
b no innocent party is endangered and must . }
be at least 500 feet from all buildings ' _ `
unless the person owns the building or is ffi
carrying written permission.
Hunters must obey all Minnesota '"' -
Department of Natural Resources hunting r,
regulations. Permission must be granted � *
before entering private land. Legal
permission to enter private land or
notification to stay off may only be given ._ 0
by the property owner, occupant or lessee. Otsego Historic Preservation Commission Chair Ron Black sold history books at
the Otsego Festival.The Commission has published several books that are
available for purchase at City Hall.
OtsEgoc! àyce4-/ cees Prairie Park
or o. MinnEsota
Otsego Jayceesimprovements
Spaghetti Dinner i� 1 popular
This summer's $979,199
Friday, November 7 .
park development project is
5-8:00 p.m. �, I. coming to a close in Otsego
Elk River American Legion ., Prairie Park. Many residents
525 Railroad Drive - Elk River got a preview of the
Adults - $5.50 in advance improvements at the Otsego
$6.50 at door Festival in September and were
Kids (ages 4-12)- $2.50 in advance , impressed with the quality of
$3.50 at door I the facilities.
3 and under free I A playground structure has
•
Donations welcome for CAER food shelf. been completed for toddlers
For more information about the newly and another for older children.
organizing Otsego Jaycees,contact Andrea .«"- pik There is a black top skate park
Willems, 763-443-5487 or Heather Kolstad, with ramps and two additional
763-565-8301. - ball fields have been added. A
new parking area with a
circular drop-off area brings
i visitors close to the picnic
t shelter. It is all framed with
landscaping and plantings.
w -,..z w.✓
O
Remember the
. 14
Embers?
% e ;; When Michele Brandt
-
M , I 1, I A opened her Otsego Embers
America restaurant in August,
illtei
i she had a vision of families
�, '_ - ' coming to relax and enjoy
r
* C y t; agood food as they did when
1 x,; ' I _ t.. 41, '' Embers was founded in 1956.
t - , A A She envisioned a"cheery
- .� ` • "1 �- � r '
"' ""`1,146111"r"--- '=` atmosphere, friendly servers,
-' . simple food, and an
w 5 , ,' —.4.% , ""-/'"'rAirovr-"
,�r' < "
�.r,-... atmosphere that makes people
ibet, `'... 641 „: _, 1 r feel good."The fun decor is
designed to give people a 4
I', _ feeling of home, with toys,
games and living room
�� `-/_ furniture from that era. It starts
when customers are greeted at
t,..
.....„Nt
,....
, \\---:, a counter mounted on a vintage
bicycle and carries all the way
t A /
to the rest rooms.
�� �, i Michele's Embers serves a
blend of well-known Embers
Owner Michele Brandt and General Manager Eric Brandenburg invite everyone to visit the food, like the Emburger and
new Embers in Otsego to enjoy great food and a feeling of home. their famous pancakes, as well
as some of Brandt's special recipes. The Miss Charlotte's raspberry chicken salad, the balsamic pear and pecan salad,
Michele's stuffed French toast and her secret recipe prime rib on Saturdays are her most popular specialties. The
restaurant also includes an ice cream counter with 12 Bridgeman's ice cream flavors and a scratch bakery featuring their
popular Country Fair coffee cake.
Michele's Embers is located at 9020 Quaday Avenue NE in the Otsego Waterfront West development. The restaurant is
smoke free and open Monday to Thursday 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday until 11:00 p.m. and Sunday 7:00
a.m. to 9:00 p.m. 763-274-1406.
City staff changes Curfew law enforced
Jody Bailey has joined the Otsego City Hall office Otsego's curfew ordinance, passed in 1996, sets a
staff as a part time receptionist. Bailey finds the work daily curfew of 10 p.m.-5 a.m. for anyone under 18.
interesting answering phones, helping people and she It is unlawful for any minor to be in any public place or on
likes the computer work. the premises of an establishment in the city during curfew
Former secretary Karee Rowell has been hired as hours unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Otsego Deputy Clerk, replacing the recently retired Minors violating the ordinance will be taken home
Carol Olson. and placed in custody of his or her parents or guardians.
For a first curfew offense, minors and parent-
CITY- MEETZNGIIS guardians are both guilty of a petty misdemeanor and
MEETING DAYS TIME face a fine not exceeding$75 or community service plus
City Council 2°a&4th Mon. 6:30 pm prosecution costs.
Planning&Zoning 1st&3rd Mon. 8:00 pm For second offenses within six months of a prior
Parks&Recreation 2
na Wed. 7:00 pm conviction,parents-guardians are each guilty of a petty
Heritage Preservation 4th Thurs. 6:30 pm misdemeanor. They could receive a fine of not more than
•Submit City Council agenda items seven working days $200 or co9#nunity service and prosecution costs.
prior to meetings. B u rni r>6g permits req u i red
•To be placed on the Planning Commission agenda,submit
"
completed forms&information 15 working days prior to (3 Burning permits are required for all but
meetings. ( recreational fires three-feet in diameter or less or
•Official meeting notices are published in the Elk River Star i r Kol approved burn barrels. Call City Hall to arrange
News and posted at City Hall. (7'-- or a permit. Residents are reminded that yard
•Please call City Hall to confirm times if you plan to attend. - waste can be composed or used for mulch.