04-25-22 City Council MinutesOTSEGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022
7:00 PM
OTSEGO PRAIRIE CENTER
Call to Order.
Mayor Stockamp called the meeting to order at 7:23 PM, following the Local Board of Appeal and
Equalization.
Roll Call:
Mayor Jessica Stockamp; Councilmembers: Tom Darkenwald, Tina Goede, Brittany Moores, and Jeff
Dahl. City Staff: City Administrator/Finance Director Adam Flaherty; Human Resources/Assistant City
Administrator Sabrina Hille, Parks and Recreation Director Ross Demant; City Attorney Dave Kendall, City
Engineer Ron Wagner, City Planner Daniel Licht; and City Clerk Audra Etzel.
Pledge of Allegiance: Mayor Stockamp led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
1. Open Forum:
Mayor Stockamp opened the Open Forum at 7:25 PM.
Parks and Recreation Director Demant
The City Council thanked Parks and Recreation
Director
Parks and Recreation Director Demant thanked everyone for the 10 years and the opportunity to be
involved with the City of Otsego,
Staff and City Council congratulated and wished Ross well with his new position at Wright County.
Mark Daleiden, Wright County Commissioner District 3
Commissioner Daleiden said the Homestead Market Value Exclusion is being adjusted by about 1%; he
urges residents to reach out to their legislative representatives to look at further adjustment. CM
Darkenwald suggested the Cities in Wright County and Wright County reach out and request changes to
the Homestead Market Value Exclusion. Commissioner Daleiden said the State decides the value, the
County has no authority to change.
Commissioner Daleiden said last fall he gave an update regarding the 2020 census, noting he City of
Otsego is now the largest city in Wright County and there would be no changes to the Wright County
Commissioners District Map. Last Tuesday, at the Wright County Board of Commissioners, there were
public comments that proposed changing the boundaries within District 3 and District 4. He is looking
for feedback from the City Council to bring back to the public hearing tomorrow; he is aware that St.
Michael is not interested in any changes.
CM Goede said she was the Otsego resident at the meeting. She said with the growth in Otsego, she is
proposing District 3 removing the St. Michael portion and add Albertville. The population would be
distributed more equally and each city would have equal representation in their district. CM Goede does
not see any conflict with the proposed changes; she recommends the boundary changes within District 3
and District 4 and feels this will be good for the City of Otsego.
Mayor Jessica Stockamp said there were comments at the Public Hearing regarding the cities sharing
services. She feels Otsego has similar growth compared to St. Michael and she has not seen any issue
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MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 25, 2022
with her representation at the County level. The change would require District 4 to revote for their
representative due to the proposed change. She is wondering why this came forward so late when
Commissioner Daleiden presented the information last fall. Further she has not heard from any
residents and heard from St. Michael that they are not looking for a change.
CM Darkenwald asked about the proposed map changes. He noted Mary Wetter in District 4 will need to
rerun with the proposed change. His concern was this was brought forward back in October and should
have been looked at sooner, not last minute. This change does have an impact on the District 4 and
District 3 and should have been discussed back in October when the affected cities could look at all the
facts. The transportation plan was just updated and impacts the City of St. Michael. This is a huge
change and should go through the proper channels to weigh the pros and cons. He has not heard good
reason from what was proposed vs. what was agreed to.
CM Moores asked what the benefit was for the change? What was shared? CM Goede said she did not
say anything about sharing and that Mary Wetter seconded the motion to consider the change. The only
districts affected would be District 3 and District 4; St. Michael is the only district that has two
representatives. CM Goede does not see any cons to the change, each City should only have one
County Commissioner.
CM Darkenwald said the cities already established their voting precincts, those precincts may have been
different based on the newly proposed Wright County Commissioner changes. There are services that
are shared between St. Michael and Albertville to consider and St. Michael is still growing. CM
Darkenwald said he doesn't feel this is fair to change.
Mayor Stockamp said she had heard from Mary Wetter and she feels she was thrown under the bus.
CM Goede said there is a second public hearing tomorrow to consider the proposed change, with a May
3rd deadline to submit the changes.
CM Moores said she doesn't see the benefit bringing this so late, doesn't feel they are a team. CM
Goede said the numbers make sense now and this will not be reviewed again for another 10 years.
CM Darkenwald feels this is not good for their relationships with St. Michael and the community, it
should have been discussed last fall with all involved. CM Goede said this makes sense for the City of
Otsego; currently District 3 and District 4 Commissioners would continue to represent St. Michael. She
doesn't want to wait another 10 years to redistrict.
Commissioner Daleiden noted the City of Buffalo had three commissioners at one time. He thinks
redistricting will most likely need to happen in 2030; the district will look different based on growth. He
represents the City of Otsego, Dayton and half of St. Michael and wants to bring feedback back to the
public hearing. Tomorrow at the public hearing the Wright County Commissioners will vote on the map.
City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty said he plans to attend the public hearing tomorrow.
CM Darkenwald does not want to see the change and asks Commissioner Daleiden relay the City
Council's feedback at the public hearing tomorrow.
The City Council thanked Commissioner Daleiden for the updates.
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MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 25, 2022
Charles Foster, 6170 Maclynn Avenue NE commented on the proposed boundary changes for District 3
and District 4. He wonders why would Albertville wants to swap districts; maybe they think St. Michael
will grow faster. Mr. Foster noted the amount of growth and development in both districts.
Scott Reimer 6841 Packard Avenue NE, said he appreciates the change in the speed limit on Packard
Avenue NE to 45 MPH. He questions why not 30 MPH, like it used to be? City Engineer Wagner said the
street is Rural Residential. The matrix factors in accesses and traffic levels, matching the road with the
speed. Packard Avenue NE has limited access points and low traffic levels, therefore establishing the
speed at 45 MPH. CM Darkenwald said the policy protects people. Engineer Wagner noted the City
cannot add Slow Children signs, as they are not allowed in the State of Minnesota. Some residents do
buy and place their own signs on their property. These signs need to be back 33' from the center line.
City Planner Licht said if signs are placed in the right-of-way, they can be considered abandoned
property and be disposed of if picked up. The City Council directed Mr. Reimer to speak further with
Sergeant Oltmanns who was in attendance.
Mayor Stockamp closed the Open Forum at 8:20 PM.
2. Consider A_ eq nda Approval.
CM Moores motioned to approve the agenda as written, seconded by CM Dahl. All in favor.
Motion carried 5-0
3. Consent A_ ends.
3A Approve Claims List,
3.2 Approve City Council Meeting Minutes.
A. April 11, 2022 Meeting.
3.3 Accept Quotes from Star Quality Glass and Authorize Tinted Window Film Building Improvement,
3.4 Approve the Finance Clerk Job Description and to Approve Staff Advancement into the Position.
3.5 Adopt Resolution 2022-40 Electing the Standard Allowance for ARPA Funding_
3.6 Approve Hiring of Four Seasonal Maintenance Positions.
3.7 Approve Hiring of Recreation Leader Position.
3.8 Accept the Quote from ZieglerCat for the Purchase of a Hydraulic Mulcher Attachment.
3.9 Adopt Resolution 2022-41 Establishing a No Parking Zone on Queens Avenue.
CM Moores motioned to approve the consent agenda as written, seconded by CM Goede. All
in favor. Motion carried 5-0.
4. City Council Reports and Updates:
4.1 Commission Liaison Updates.
A. Heritage Preservation Commission -Liaison CM Moores said City Planner Licht attended their
meeting and gave a Comp Plan update.
B. Parks and Recreation Commission - Liaison Mayor Stockamp said the baseball field updates
were reviewed and upcoming events with the departure of the Parks and Recreation Director Demant.
C. Planning Commission - Liaison CM Darkenwald had no update.
D. Public Safety Commission — Liaison Mayor Stockamp said the Allina President attended; they
are looking to add a fourth ambulance and changes with the ambulance from St. Michael to Albertville,
Sergeant Oltmanns was present, and City Planner Licht will be at their next meeting to give a Comp Plan
update.
Mayor Stockamp attended both Comp Plan open houses and was disappointed the meetings were not
well attended. She hopes residents are using the on-line tools to give input.
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MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 25, 2022
Ryan Thomas said his phone was not working during open forum and is on his computer and would like
to speak. Mayor Stockamp noted the open forum is closed and no more comments will be allowed.
5. Staff Reports and Updates.
City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty said this Saturday is Clean -Up Day from 8am-noon.
City Planner Licht received information regarding "No Mow May" to support the bee population. If City
Council agrees, staff can promote and will not enforce the grass ordinance during the duration. This is a
good opportunity; staff will promote and notify residents. City Attorney Kendall said he can prepare a
resolution to be presented at the next City Council meeting. City Council directed City Attorney Kendall
to prepare a resolution. City Planner Licht said the next Planning Commission will be May 2nd with two
public hearings: W-WWTF expansion and Prairie View Estates, The City hosted two open -house for the
2022 Comp Plan amendment and the survey is still active to take comments.
City Engineer Wagner said construction season is underway and Northwater 2nd Addition has a water
connection starting in about a week and a half that will require a portion of Lydia Ave NE to be closed
from 72nd Street NE to Maciver Avenue NE. This closure will affect about six homes and others will not
be able to use that stretch of the road.
Sergeant Jason Oltmanns with the Wright County Sheriff's Department said he coordinates the "Towards
Zero Deaths" program, the counties of Wright, Sherburne, and Stearns and are working together on
specific driving issues. The task forces will focus on distracted driving, targeting areas within the three
counties that are considered more dangerous. They are working on the logistics of enforcement and
prosecution.
6. Adjournment.
CM Darkenwald motioned to adjourn at 8:34 PM, seconded by CM Goede. All in favor.
Motion carried 5"0,
ATTEST•'-°
Audra Etzel, City ClerkIT
.. Stockarnp,
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