ITEM 3.2B SCC 3.25.2019 MinutesITEM 3.213
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OTSEGO PRAIRIE CENTER
MARCH 25, 2019
Call to Order.
Mayor Jessica Stockamp called the meeting to order at 7:38 PM.
Roll Call: Mayor Jessica Stockamp; Councilmembers: Corey Tanner, Tom Darkenwald, Tina
Goede and Jason Warehime. Staff: Adam Flaherty, City Administrator/Finance Director, Ron
Wagner, City Engineer, and Tami Loff, City Clerk.
1. Business Outreach Program.
City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty said during the Strategic Planning sessions the City
Council identified a priority of improving engagement with the Otsego business community. The
goal discussed previously was to visit 5 businesses within the first year and then 10 businesses
by the end of the second year. CM Tanner distributed a spreadsheet he did up of Otsego
businesses. The City Council concurred there are two different topics; Business retention of
current Otsego businesses and then attracting new businesses. City Administrator/Finance
Director Flaherty had provided a couple of examples of site visit documentation. The City
Council recommended City staff reach out to the I94 West Chamber and Wright County EDP as
an additional resource on this program.
CM Warehime said in the past, anniversary plaques presented to the businesses were
discussed, a business list on the city website and possible city flags within business areas.
The City Council discussed having City staff mail out a post card/survey to all the businesses
asking if they would be interested in a visit from the City and then also including a comment
section for any feedback from the businesses. Then review those results and then decide on the
businesses to visit.
2. Franchise Fee Implementation.
During the 2019 budget discussion the City Council concurred to have City staff explore
franchise fees as an additional revenue source to finance the pavement management program.
Currently for neighborhood renewal project, property taxes pay 50% of a road project and the
remaining 50% is paid for by the adjoining property owners by assessments. City
Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty led in the discussion; he explained the Franchise Fee
process which allows a fee to be added to local electric and gas utility bills in an amount
established by the City, which is collected by the utility companies and remitted to the City. It
was discussed that the surrounding cities already have implemented this. After discussion; the
City Council directed City staff to bring back additional information which included; what the
neighboring cities do as far as fees and what projects the revenue is used for. They also asked
for additional information explaining Franchise fees.
3. Adjourn.
CM Darkenwald motioned to adjourn. Seconded by CM Warehime. All in favor.
Motion carried. Adjourned at 9:22 PM.
3/25/19
Mayor Jessica Stockamp
ATTEST:
Tami Loff, City Clerk
3/25/19