ITEM 3.2B SCC 5.28.2014 MinutesITEM 3.20
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OTSEGO CITY HALL
May 28, 2014
Call to Order.
Mayor Jessica Stockamp called the meeting to order at 6:05 PM.
Roll Call: Mayor Jessica Stockamp; Councilmembers: Vern Heidner" Jason Warehime, Doug
Schroeder and Tom Darkenwald.
Staff: Lori Johnson, City Administrator; Dan Jordet, Administrative Services Director; Daniel
Licht, City Planner; Ron Wagner, City Engineer; Ross Demant, Parks & Recreation Manager;
Brad Belair, Street Maintenance Supervisor; Kurt Neidermeier; Utility Operations Supervisor
and Tami Loff, City Clerk.
1. 2015 Budget Discussion.
City Administrator Johnson presented the staff report. Starting with reviewing the preliminary
2015 budget calendar noting the date change from September 11 to September 15. CM
Heidner asked for copies of the draft budgets and detail from Department Heads as submitted
to Finance by June 27. The other City Council agreed. The City Council also agreed they liked
the budget document format with sidebar notes with an additional paper following if needed.
The following budget meetings were called:
CM Heidner motioned to set a Special City Council meeting on Monday, July 21,
2014 at 5:30 PM to be held at Prairie Center, 8899 Nashua Avenue NE, to discuss tax
levy and debt service requirements. Seconded by CM Schroeder. All in favor. Motion
carried.
CM Schroeder motioned to set a Special City Council meeting on Monday, August 4,
2014 at 5:30 PM to be held at Prairie Center, 8899 Nashua Avenue NE, for 2015
Budget Discussion. Seconded by CM Heidner. All in favor. Motion carried.
CM Schroeder motioned to set Special City Council meetings on Monday, August 11
and Monday, August 25, 2014 directly following the regular City Council meeting at
7:00 PM and Monday, September 15, 2014 at 5:30 PM. All to be held at Prairie
Center, 8899 Nashua Avenue NE, for discussion on 2015 Budget. Seconded by Mayor
Stockamp. All in favor. Motion carried.
Administrative Services Director Jordet reviewed the possible impact of required improvement
bond refinancing payments on the property tax levy. CM Heidner asked for an estimate of the
impact. Jordet indicated that a preliminary range for the net increase would be $ 250,000 to
$300,000.
The City Council reviewed the potential topic items for the 2015 budget as presented in the
staff report. There was discussion on fire service and fire districts. The City Council agreed a
worksession was needed to review. City Administrator said she received a call from a resident
that stated his insurance went up because of distance of fire station. This property is located off
Quam on the west side of Highway 101 which is in the Elk River fire district.
CM Schroeder motioned to set a Special City Council meeting on Tuesday, July 22,
2014 at 6:00 PM to be held at Prairie Center, 8899 Nashua Avenue NE, to discuss
fire service. Seconded by CM Warehime. All in favor. Motion carried.
Snowplowing was discussed. The City Council expressed satisfaction with the current level of
service. Mayor Stockamp asked that the standard response time for plowing after a snow fall be
communicated to residents via website and newsletter. The City Council agreed and City staff
will provide that information.
Electronic newsletter will be removed from potential discussion items. City Council agreed to
keep as is.
City wide stormwater was discussed and City Council agreed City staff to bring back post
September 22.
Utility Operations Supervisor Neidermeier gave an update on the motor that went out today at
Well #3 at the East Waste Water Treatment Facility. The backup is currently running and
Utility Operations Supervisor Neidermeier said Well #3 should be up and running next week.
There was also discussion on the complaints on odor coming from the West Waste Water
Facility. Utility Operations Supervisor Neidermeier said it is due to the digester. City
Administrator said she will be meeting with Utility Operations Supervisor Neidermeier tomorrow
to review.
Administrator Services Director brought up the phone system and settings. This will be
evaluated internally.
Transportation joint powers agreement was discussed and City Council agreed to not proceed.
Economic Strategic Planning Update:
City Administrator distributed a proposed agenda she received from the facilitator Adeel Ahmed.
She stated she felt that business retention and expansion and workforce development initiatives
weren't priority topics and that we needed to focus on getting the businesses first. The City
Council agreed. Items of discussion the City Council would like to see from the facilitator are:
what is our niche, what business gaps exist that Otsego could fill, what are the market trends
and area demographics, what can Otsego do to land business that are locating in surrounding
communities, and what innovative economic development tools are available to the City.
The second session date was discussed. The City Council agreed to schedule between July 15
and July 24. City Administrator Johnson will check the schedule of Mr. Ahmed.
2. Adjourn.
CM Darkenwald motioned to adjourn. Seconded by CM Warehime. All in
favor. Motion carried. Adjourned at 8:51 PM.
ATTEST:
Tami Loff, City Clerk
2
Mayor Jessica Stockamp