05-26-20 City Council MinutesOTSEGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OTSEGO PRAIRIE CENTER
TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2020
Call to Order.
Mayor Stockamp called the meeting to order at 7:04 PM.
Roll Call:
Mayor Jessica Stockamp; Councilmembers: Tom Darkenwald, Corey Tanner and Tina Goede. Absent:
Councilmember Jason Warehime. Staff: Adam Flaherty, City Adminstrator/Finance Director; Dave
Kendall, City Attorney(*); Daniel Licht, City Planner (*); Ron Wagner, City Engineer (*); Ross Demant,
Parks and Recreation Director; Kurt Neidermeier, Utility Operations Manager and Tami Loff, City Clerk.
This meeting is proceeding under MN State Statute 13D.021 allowing members to appear by telephone
or video conference due to the ongoing health pandemic and state of emergency. For the record, the
Mayor, three Council members, and certain City staff were present in-person. Those indicated with a (*)
attended via video conference.
Pledge of Allegiance: Mayor Stockamp led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
1. Open Forum.
No items.
2. Consider Agenda Approval.
Mayor Stockamp requested to move item 5.1 Consider Resolution 2020-31 for Continuing Response to
COVID-19.to 4.1 and adjust the remainder accordingly.
CM Darkenwald motioned to approve as amended. Seconded by CM Tanner. Roll Call: those
for; Goede, Stockamp, Darkenwald, Tanner. Those opposed: None. Motion carried 4-0.
3. Consent Agenda.
3.1 Approve Claims List.
3.2 Approve City Council Meeting Minutes.
A. May 11, 2020 Meeting.
B. May 11, 2020 Board of Review.
3.3 Pay Requests:
A. Pay Estimate #12 for the 85th Street and Maciver Avenue Project.
B. Pay Application #1 for the East WWTF Biosolids Project.
3.4 Adopt Resolution 2020-29 Appointing Election Judges for the 2020 Elections.
3.5 Approve Marlowe Avenue Townhomes Final Plat.
3.6 Approve the Quotes for the 2020 Crack Filling Project.
CM Darkenwald motioned to approve. Seconded by CM Goede. Roll Call: those for; Goede,
Stockamp, Darkenwald, Tanner. Those opposed: None. Motion carried 4-0.
4.1 Consider Resolution 2020-31 for Continuing Response to COVID-19.
City Adminsitrator/Finance Director Flaherty stated he was contacted by the Mayor and other
Councilmembers to draft a resolution regarding the City's continued response to the COVID-19
pandemic. Expressing concern for residents and businesses within our City; the resolution will encourage
residents to patronize businesses, encourage the State to provide guidance and resources for the
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evolving situation, and provide staff authority for certain measures to help support flexibility for
businesses in accordance with the Governor's executive orders.
Mayor Stockamp acknowledged the Otsego business owners present and gave each of them the
opportunity to speak.
Dion Grover; Boondox Bar and Grille, stated they have seen a decrease of sales of over 80%. He further
stated the limit capacity of 50 people outside starting on June 1st is not going to help much. Mr. Grover
said he would estimate the availabity at his business at around 100 capacity outside with 4-6 per table.
CM Darkenwald asked the City Attorney what is the Councils authority of enforcement of the Governors
order. City Attorney Kendall said the City can not advise business owners to ignore the Governors order
and that the City Council does not have the power to direct Wright County Sheriff differently. He noted
that the State does have enforcement options they could take with compliance issues.
Mr. Grover questioned if the volleyball portion of his business is separate then the allowed 50 capcity
outside customers. City Planner Licht stated the Conditional Use Permit that covers Boondox as a whole
makes it subject to State compliance not the City. City Attorney Kendall said he hasn't seen a lot of other
cities actively enforcing; he stated it may be more the neighbors who would call the Wright County
Sheriff on compliance concerns. The City Council thanked Mr. Grover for his input.
City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty said Wright County Economic Development Partnership is
offering $5,000 loans to businesses.
Peter Peyerl, Rockwards Bar & Grill, thanked the City Council for taking a proactive look at this. He said
looking at 50 capacity outside for his facility the numbers don't work. He stated he would like to see the
whole property used for determination not just the patio. He further stated if they open June 1 they will
lose more then they will be able to bring back.
Dawn Grover, Boondox Bar and Grille, questioned the 25% capacity for venues stating for example
weddings. She asked if Boondox is allowed to use their back room as venue different then the actual
resturant. City Planner Licht stated that due to the their Conditional Use Permit for Boondox they could
use the back room.
Katie Franaschock, Event Center Director & Rockwoods General Manager, stated the order does specify
that wedding receptions are not allowed; wedding ceremonies are allowed.
City Attorney Kendall said the business needs to make their own decisions to justify how they are not in
violation of the State order.
City Planner Licht reviewed the proposed Resolution 2020-31.
CM Darkenwald stated we are doing what we can at the City level and he is glad the business owner are
here. All the City Council concurred.
CM Darkewald motioned to adopt Resolution 2020-31 regarding the COVID-19 State of
Minnesota Peacetime Emergency. Seconded by CM Goede. Roll Call: those for; Goede,
Stockamp, Darkenwald, Tanner. Those opposed: None. Motion carried 4-0.
5. Administration:
5.1 Classification and Compensation Study _- Consider Group of Comparison Cities.
5/26/20
City Adminsitrator/Finance Director Flaherty presented the staff report that outlined the recommended
potential cities to use for the study per BakerTilly. Mayor Stockamp asked about Chisago County not
being listed on the right side. City Adminsitrator/Finance Director Flaherty stated there was not a good
comparable city in Chisago County.
CM Darkenwald stated he wouldn't want to use any of the cities listed in the green. The City Council
concurred to remove the cities listed in green.
5.2 Consider Resolution 2020-30 for MPFA General Obligation Sewer Revenue Note of 2020.
City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty presented the staff report.
CM Tanner motioned approve Resolution 2020-30 accepting the offer of the Minnesota
Public Facilities Authority to purchase a $17,273,277 General Obligation Sewer Revenue
Note of 2020, providing for its issuance and authorizing execution of a bond purchase and
project loan agreement. Seconded by CM Goede. Roll Call: those for; Goede, Stockamp,
Darkenwald, Tanner. Those opposed: None. Motion carried 4-0.
5.3 Direction on Commission Meetings.
City Clerk Loff stated she is looking for direction on holding the Commission meetings, specifically the
Otsego Heritage Preservation Commission and the Public Safety Commission. The City Council concurred
no meetings in June and to review at the next meeting.
There was discussion on the Otsego Prairie Festival; Parks and Recreation Director Demant stated he is
still looking at the options and guidelines. The Festival Committee is considering setting up similar to the
Farmers Market. He stated they will not be looking for sponsorship this year due to the circumstances.
6. City Council Reports and Updates.
No items.
7. Staff Reports and Updates.
City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty asked the City Council for direction on if it should be
required for the public to wear masks inside City facilities. The City Council concurred not to make it a
requirement.
Utility Opertations Manager Neidermeier gave some project updates.
Parks and Recreation Director Demant stated he is looking for direction from the Ctiy Council on the
governors orders regarding Parks and Recreation. Fields; on June 1 the fields can be opened for
practicing. He is recommending use only of the Prairie Park Fields at this time. The City Council
concurred. CM Darkenwald asked for an update at each meeting to see if the governor order has
changed or clarified by then. Splash Pad; Parks and Recreation Director Demant stated the DNR is not
allowing any aquatic at this time. He is recommending pushing off opening until July. The City Council
concurred with the splash pad being closed until further notice per DNR restrictions. Programs; Parks
and Recreation Director Demant stated he is recommending suspending for the month of June and just
reviewing it on a month to month basis. The City Council concurred. Also, Parks and Recreation Director
Demant said the Farmers Market will open on June 16.
City Engineer Wagner gave some project updates.
8 This Portion of the Meeting to be Closed in Accordance with Minnesota Statute 13D.05,
Subdivision 3, c, 3 to Develop or Consider Offers for the Purchase of Real Property.
Mayor Stockamp stated this Portion of the Meeting to be Closed in Accordance with Minnesota Statute
13D.05, Subdivision 3, c, 3 to Develop or Consider Offers for the Purchase of Real Property.
5/26/20
CM Darkenwald motioned to close to a closed session at 8:53 PM. Seconded by CM Tanner.
Roll Call: those for; Goede, Stockamp, Darkenwald, Tanner. Those opposed: None. Motion
carried 4-0.
CM Darkenwald motioned to adjourn the closed session at 9:05 PM. Seconded by CM Goede.
Roll Call: those for; Goede, Stockamp, Darkenwald, Tanner. Those opposed: None. Motion
carried 4-0.
CM Darkenwald motioned to reopen the regular meeting at 9:06 PM. Seconded by CM
Tanner. Roll Call: those for; Goede, Stockamp, Darkenwald, Tanner. Those opposed: None.
Motion carried 4-0.
9. Adjourn.
CM Darkenwald motioned to adjourn. Seconded by CM Tanner. Roll Call: those for; Goede,
Stockamp, Darkenwald, Tanner. Those opposed: None. Motion carried 4-0. Adjourned at
9:06 PM.
m9yor Jessica Stockamp
ATTEST:
Tami Loff, City Clerk
5/26/20