05-23-22 Special City Council MinutesSPECIAL OTSEGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, MAY 23, 2022
5:30 PM
OTSEGO PRAIRIE CENTER
Call to Order.
Acting Mayor Tom Darkenwald called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM.
Roll Call: Acting Mayor Tom Darkenwald; Councilmembers: Brittany Moores, Jeff Dahl, and
Tina Goede. Absent: Mayor Jessica Stockamp. City Staff: City Administrator/Finance Director
Adam Flaherty, Human Resources/Assistant City Administrator Sabrina Hille; City Attorney Dave
Kendall (arrived at 7:55); City Engineer Ron Wagner; City Planner Daniel Licht; and Deputy City
Clerk Bethany Benting.
1. Progress Report: Emergency Services Study.
Jerry Streich, Capstone Public Sector Solutions went over the progress report slideshow
presentation as included in the packet.
Councilmembers talked about their priorities noting a fire station would likely be built. They are
concerned about medical response times which include PSA issues related to response times.
The Council feels having more control could lead to faster response times.
CM Dahl questioned how all Fire Chief will communicate/interact if the City decided to have
partners. It was noted that if the City chose the partnership model, the respective Fire Chief
would be at the table with the Council having discussions and guiding decisions.
CM Moores commented that in the City survey residents said that only a small percentage of
them would consider becoming a volunteer. Jerry advised no matter what decision is made
that Council stays flexible with the model for the new generations when surveyed will not do
things for free, they would like to be paid.
CM Darkenwald asked if language could be used in the RFP stating the City of Otsego could
start to pay less to use equipment knowing the City might be purchasing their own. It was
noted that this would have to be negotiated with a partner, but current contracts require the
City to pay a portion of the capital costs.
CM Moores talked about possible fire station locations and asked what would be a good central
location. Jerry suggested they get an additional opinion to make sure the current suggested
site is the best solution.
Jerry went over pros and cons of the professional service agreement. Councilmembers talked
about having a single contract or multiple, having a consistent service for the whole city vs.
counting on other cities.
CM Goede commented the Public Safety Commission in general would like to have better
response time for Otsego both in fire and medical. The outsource providers relay messages to
the commission that they are having a hard time finding volunteers and full-time employee's
period. CM Goede also stated she is leaning towards a professional service agreement.
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MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 23, 2022
CM Dahl asked if there is a budget item for now. Adam said there is a fund that is being used
to accumulate resources for future fire protection related expenditures.
CM Moores wanted clarification that grants may be applied to equipment and staffing if the City
would build a fire station. Jerry said not only Otsego but surrounding cities could apply for
grants.
Overall, the main discussion was about how much control does the city want. The Council
members asked for more information about costs to get to the next step knowing that this
discussion will continue to happen at a later date. Councilmembers are wanting to do what's
best for the residents of the City of Otsego.
CM Goede motioned to continue the special meeting after the regular meeting at
6:53 PM, seconded by CM Moores. All in favor. Motion carried 4-0.
Acting Mayor Darkenwald motioned to continue the meeting at 7:54 PM, seconded
by CM Moores. All in favor. Motion carried 4-0.
2 Closed Session — Consider Offer for the Purchase of Real Property (MN
Statute 13D.05, Subd. 3, (C-3).
Acting Mayor Darkenwald stated this meeting will be closed in accordance with Minnesota
Statute 13D.05, Subd. 3, (C-3) to consider an offer for the purchase of property at PID #118-
500-203201.
CM Dahl motioned to close the meeting at 7:56 PM to enter a closed session to
discuss PID #118-500-203201 in accordance to Minnesota Statue 13D.05, Subd. 3,
(C-3) to consider an offer for purchase of property, seconded by CM Goede. All in
favor. Motion carried 4-0.
CM Goede motioned to open the closed session at 7:57 PM, seconded by CM Moores.
All in favor. Motion carried 4-0.
CM Goede motioned to close the closed meeting at 8:09 PM, seconded by CM
Moores. All in favor. Motion carried 4-0.
CM Goede motioned to reopen the special meeting at 8:09 PM, seconded by CM
Dahl. All in favor. Motion carried 4-0.
3 2023 Budget, Tax Levy and Capital Improvement Plan Review.
City Administrator/Finance Director Adam Flaherty opened the discussion with talking points
that will provide the opportunity for the Council to set priorities, expectations and provide
direction to staff for preparation of the draft budget.
Assumptions:
CM Dahl asked if the council could add more COLA and incentives to keep our staff here
knowing we are the biggest City in Wright County. He noted that there have been former
employees leaving for other cities for the same job at higher pay. He would like to retain the
good employees, councilmembers and commissioners Otsego has. There was also discussion
about last increase of council pay.
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MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 23, 2022
City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty said the pay plan and position and scoring system
have been in place since 2016 and was reviewed again in 2020 by Baker Tilly. This system
needs to stay intact, but COLA increases are open for discussion and that those are based on
City Council approvals.
The City Council discussed seeing the budget impacts of COLA ranging from 3-6% based on
discussion of the consumer price index in the packet. The Council also concurred that they
would like data on City Council compensation and would evaluate at that time.
Council Roundtable:
Council shared comments they have received from the public regarding City services or
programs. CM Moores said her feedback from residents have been positive about the trails.
Public Safety.
Council discussed options of Fire Protection Agreement with the City of Albertville that will
expire at the end of 2022 and proposed 50 hours from Wright County Sherriff's department for
2023. The Council concurred that Sheriff Deringer should present more information on the
requested increase in hours as part of the budget review process.
Property Tax Levy:
City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty reviewed charts included in the packet related to
tax rates.
Fund Balance Policy- Calculation of Transfer:
The City's fund balance policy outlines that the ending fund balance in the General Fund should
be 45% of the subsequent years budget. The policy further outlines that any balance more than
the defined 45% minimum, can be transferred to a capital reserve fund at the Council's
discretion. City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty reviewed the calculation and noted that
a decision on the transfer should wait until the Council has reviewed the 2023 budgets and CIP
and then determine what the money could be set aside for.
The City's audit will be presented to Council in the next meeting June 13, 2022.
4. Adjourn.
CM Dahl motioned to adjourn at 8:47PM, seconded by CM Goede. All in favor.
Motion carried 4-0.
To arkenwaId, Acting r
ATTEST: &At�a�a E�q
Bethany BelVing, Depoq City Clerk
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