12-13-21 Special City Council MinutesSPECIAL OTSEGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2021
6:00 PM
OTSEGO PRAIRIE CENTER
Call to Order.
Mayor Jessica Stockamp called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
Roll Call: Mayor Jessica Stockamp; Councilmembers: Tom Darkenwald, Tina Goede, Jeff Dahl
and Brittany Moores. Present City Staff: City Administrator/Finance Director Adam Flaherty,
Human Resources/Assistant City Administrator Sabrina Hille; Utility Operations Manager Kurt
Neidermeier; Parks and Recreation Director Ross Demant; Streets Operation Manager Kevin
Lamson; City Attorney Dave Kendall; City Engineer Ron Wagner; City Planner Daniel Licht; and
City Clerk Audra Etzel.
1. Discussion of Draft Policies Related to COVID-19
City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty said staff has prepared a draft COVID-19 Leave
Program Policy for consideration and this was briefly discussed by the Administrative
Subcommittee. The policy will provide additional leave to accommodate employee absences
due to COVID-19, and will be made possible with ARPA funding.
CM Goede asked why a policy is being put together at this time? City Administrator/Finance
Director Flaherty said the City is being impacted with staff absences due to COVID-19 and with
the recent surge in COVID cases and variants, the risk level has increased. In 2020 the city
offered FFCRA leave as federally required, but that leave expired December 31St 2020. Mayor
Stockamp said this was discussed at the Administrative Subcommittee and staff had concerns
about employee's returning to work and not quarantining because they need to use their PTO.
CM Dahl asked about staff PTO time. Human Resources/Assistant City Administrator Hille said
staff are currently using PTO for COVID-19 absences for isolation or quarantine. CM
Darkenwald asked about the OSHA guidance. Human Resources/Assistant City Administrator
Hille said that cities need to provide a safe workplace for all employees, and failing to do so
could result in citations.
CM Darkenwald asked about documentation requirements and wanted to know if any other
documentation would be required? City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty said the list is
extensive enough to confirm. CM Darkenwald asked if this was too much to ask? Human
Resources/Assistant City Administrator Hille said the vaccine information is allowed to be
requested, but other data would need to meet HIPAA guidelines, employees would need to
ensure that they do not have additional information besides vaccine status shown in submitted
documents. Employees are not required to submit information; however, with no COVID
vaccine record, the employee will be subject to unvaccinated guidelines.
City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty reviewed the proposed draft COVID Leave Policy.
City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty said staff looked for guidance and example policies
from other cities. There were only two example policies available, which did not provide a great
starting point to assemble this draft policy.
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MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 13, 2021
Mayor Stockamp asked about how much time has already been used by employees. Human
Resources/Assistant City Administrator Hille said this data is being tracked, but was not
complete and therefore did not want to provide an estimate.
CM Goede asked what is considered fully vaccinated? CM Darkenwald also asked for
clarification. City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty said vaccinated would need further
clarification, but as with other guidance, recommended following CDC and MN Department of
Health definitions.
CM Goede questioned the unlimited portion time for vaccinated employees. City
Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty said the City Council could place a capped amount vs.
unlimited language. CM Goede would like to see another word other than unlimited or a
definition of what is considered unlimited.
CM Goede asked about unvaccinated employees having the same benefits of vaccinated
employees. She feels the benefits should be the same for all employees. City
Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty said there is the possibility for unvaccinated employees
to be quarantined multiple times and not be at work.
City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty noted this is a tough conversation and a decision
does not need to be made tonight. Staff is looking for feedback from City Council. City Council
agrees to moving forward with a revised draft COVID-19 Leave Policy.
CM Goede said there are portions that she does not agree with, adding testing is reimbursed
through insurance. Mayor Stockamp added the Admin Subcommittee discussed the options of
testing, masking, etc.
City Attorney Kendall said the City will want to have a written policy. CM Darkenwald said the
City needs to look after the employees and follow the guidance; as an employer the City needs
to protect the employees.
CM Darkenwald at 6:55 PM motioned to continue this special meeting following the
7 PM City Council meeting, seconded by CM Goede. All in favor. Motion carried 5-0.
Mayor Stockamp motioned to reopen this special meeting at 7:38 PM, seconded by
CM Goede. All in favor. Motion carried 5-0.
Street Operations Manager Lamson and Parks and Recreation Director Demant did not return.
Staff is looking for input to revise the proposed policy and bring back to a future meeting.
Include definition of fully vaccinated and unlimited.
Mayor Stockamp would like to make the leave available and encourage employees to be safe.
CM Darkenwald said there are incentives for vaccination, but no penalties to not be vaccinated.
CM Goede doesn't feel there should be an incentive to get a vaccine. She suggested taking out
the exemption language on page 3, since not mandated does not see a need to include the
medical exemptions. City Attorney Kendall said OSHA is not currently mandating, but advised
that the language should remain.
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MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 13, 2021
Human Resources/Assistant City Administrator Hille said staff is appreciative that the City
Council is considering a policy.
2. Discussion of Water Utility Communications.
Utility Operation Manager Neidermeier said the MN Dept of Health (MDH) has completed testing
of various wells and provided notification to the City of elevated levels of manganese. All the
wells meet the standards, but the MDH has recommendations for the resident's safety.
Engineer Wagner said the MDH has a website if resident's want to look at the City's manganese
levels.
CM Darkenwald asked if all cities receive this notice regarding manganese? Utility Operation
Manager Neidermeier said not all, since not all have manganese.
MDH is recommending the City provide educational materials for residents, and City staff is
seeking Council input on which methods to provide said notice.
Mayor Stockamp said they would like to see the message before being sent to residents and
provide them with the tools to research their own water. CM Goede agreed there needs to be
direction for concerned residents (where to get tests or possible vendors).
The City Council would like to see what other communities are doing to communicate to their
residents.
Utility Operation Manager Neidermeier said staff is trying to prepare through the Master Plan to
resolve this issue and other potential issues.
Staff will bring back a message for City Council consideration before sending to the residents.
Human Resources/Assistant City Administrator Hille said staff will work on the communication to
educate the residents.
3. Closed Session — Consider Offer for the Sale of Real Property for PID 118-
245-001020 MN Statue 13113.05, Subd. 3(c).
Mayor Stockamp stated this meeting will be closed in accordance to Minn. Stat. 13D.05, Subd.
3(c) to consider an offer for sale of property at PID #118-245-001020.
Mayor Stockamp motioned to close the meeting at 8:23 PM to enter a closed session
to discuss PID #118-245-001020 in accordance to Minn. Stat. 13113.05, Subd. 3(c) to
consider an offer for sale of property, seconded by CM Darkenwald. All in favor.
Motion carried 5-0.
Mayor Stockamp motioned to open the closed session at 8:24 PM, seconded by
Moores. All in favor. Motion carried 5-0.
Mayor Stockamp motioned to close the closed session at 8:36 PM, seconded by CM
Goede. All in favor. Motion carried 5-0.
Mayor Stockamp motioned to reopen the special meeting at 8:37 PM, seconded by
Moores.
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MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 13, 2021
4. Adjourn.
Mayor Stockamp motioned to adjourn at 8:38 PM, seconded by CM Darkenwald. All
in favor. Motion carried 5-0.
ATTEST:
Audra Etzel, City Clerk
7 sica Stockamp, Mayor
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