12-12-1991 Joint Meeting MinutesSTATE OF MN The City Council of Otsego and
COUNTY OF WRIGHT Albertville held a joint meeting
CITY OF OTSEGO this 12 day of December, 1991, at
7:30 PM at the Albertville City
Hall. Mayor Norman Freske, Council Members Doug
Lindenfelser, Floyd Roden, Larry Fournier and Ron Black,
Clerk Jerome Perrault, and Deputy Clerk Elaine Beatty were
present from Otsego.
Mayor Jim Walsh Council Members Duane Berning and Mike
Potter, Clerk Linda Houghton, and Attorney Mike Couri were
present from Albertville.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Jim Walsh.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the Fire Dept.
Protection Contract between the City of Otsego and the City
of Albertville whereby the Albertville Fire Dept. provides
protection to part of the City of Otsego. Jim Walsh
explained that they took a hard look at what it is actually
costing them to run the Fire Dept., something they haven't
done in the past. That is why the 1991 budget shows a total
of $32,589 and the 1992 budget a total of $92,415. The 1992
budget also allows for some funds to be set aside for future
capital needs, $25,000 for a new Fire Hall and $25,000 for a
new Fire Truck and other equipment. Jim Walsh also explained
that the fire dept. members are also required to take many
hours of medical training as well.
Attorney Mike Couri used tax capacity rates to figure
the cost sharing for operating the Fire Dept. Otsego's share
for 1992 will be $27,588.37 using this system. This figure
will require a per unit assessment of $60.50 for Otsego
residents in the Albertville Fire Dept. protection area as
compared to $37.00 per unit for Otsego residents in the Elk
River Fire Dept. protection area. The $27,588.37 represents
a sizeable increase over the 1988 figure $9,797.16, 1989 of
$9,913.39, 1990 of $13,590.00 and 1991 of $22,000.00
Floyd Roden asked Mr. Walsh what their building plans
were. Mr. Walsh replied that their present building is too
small for their future needs and while they do not have a
definite time frame for when they will build a new fire hall,
they want to start setting funds aside for that purpose.
Doug Lindenfelser asked for an explanation of some of
the budget items wherein the 1991 budget there are zeros and
in the 1992 budget figures ranging from $1,000.00 to
$3,200.00. Mike Potter explained that in 1991 budget capital
expenses for equipment was lumped together in one figure of
$9,000.00 whereas in the 1992 budget the equipment items were
broken down such as $1,000.00 for hose, $2,500.00 for turn
out gear and $1,000.00 for tools. The total for the items is
about the same in both budgets.
Ron Black said that by reading thru the budget figures
he has no idea of what was actually spent in 1991 and whether
the 1992 budget figures are realistic.
Norman Freske commented that we all agree the
Albertville Fire Dept. is doing an excellent job but he
questioned why Otsego should he paying for capital
CITY OF OTSEGO SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING WITH ALBERTVILE
DECEMBER 12, 1991. PAGE TWO
improvement when we are just buying service.
Floyd Roden also questioned why Otsego should be
contributing toward setting funds aside for Albertville's
future needs when Otsego might need it's own Fire Dept. in
the future.
Ron Black said that we have to justify a 352% increase
to our Otsego taxpayers, that he can justify the operating
expense but not the capital improvements.
Mike Couri commented that if the two Cities can not
reach an agreement this year, they will be faced with the
same problem again next year.
Larry Fournier asked Mr. Walsh what items in the budget
are negiotable. Mr. Walsh replied he would have to discuss
that with the Council and the Fire Dept. before answering
that question.
On motion the meeting adjourned.
, NORMAN F FRESKE, MAYOR
-"DOUG LINDENFELSER, COUNCIL
, FLOYD RODEN, COUNCIL
, LARRY FOURNIER, COUNCIL
, RON BLACK, COUNCIL
Attest: Jerome Perrault, Clerk
JP/jeh