09-21-1992 Public Hearing MinutesSTATE OF MN A Public Hearing on the proposed
COUNTY OF WRIGHT City of Otsego Parks and Recreation
CITY OF OTSEGO Comprehensive Plan was held this
21 day of September, 1992, at
7:00 PM. Norman F. Freske, Mayor, Doug Lindenfelser, Floyd
Roden, Larry Fournier and Ron Black, Council Members, Jerome
Perrault, Clerk, Elaine Beatty, Deputy Clerk/Zoning
Administrator, Judy Hudson, Secretary, and Mark Wallace,
Jacquie Rognli, Tom Constant, and Darlene Solberg, Parks &
Recreation Commission Members, and Bob Kirmis, Planner, were
present.
The Hearing was called to order by Mayor F. Freske.
Mark Wallace then addressed the Hearing and explained
that the Parks Commission has been working on the
Comprehensive Plan for the past year with the assistance of
Bob Kirmis. The purpose of the Plan is to develop a long
range plan for Parks and Trails in the City. Having a
Comprehensive Plan would also help in obtaining grants and
acquiring park land. If the Comprehensive Plan were approved
tonight, it would then go before the Planning Commission to
be considered as an amendment to the City Comprehensive Plan.
They have prepared a trails map to connect the points of
interest in the City. They also did a survey of the
recreational interests of Otsego residents and of the age
groups. At the top of their interests were walking, hiking
and biking and the predominate age group was the 25 to 44
group. The City already has paved shoulder bike paths along
Co. 42 and Co. 39. They have also laid out a prospective
snow mobile trail. Tom Constant has worked with the Wright
Co Snowmobile Club to lay out the trail system and said the
Club has 2 groomers that can be used to keep up the trails.
Elaine Beatty asked what their immediate plans were.
MR. Wallace replied that developing the park by the new
City Hall and the snow mobile trails were their first
projects.
Ron Black asked if they had considered development of
historic sites and Mr. Wallace said they had considered it
MR. Black said that 2 he had in mind were John Lefebvre's
Round Barn and the LaPlant (Walter Steiner) house.
Also the new school will influence the Park plan as the
area in the NW corner of the school of the school site is a
potential park site. The Parks Commission has divided Otsego
into 9 districts so they can better assess the needs of each
area.
Floyd Roden said another area to be considered is the
area around Mud Lake as a future Park site.
Mrs. Silverness asked who controlled the State owned
land by Rice Lake and The Pond. She was advised that the DNR
has control of this land and they want to keep. the area wild
as a wild life sanctuary and not develop it.
Motion by Ron Black to close the Hearing. Seconded by
Doug Lindenfelser.
Mr. Wallace asked if they should continue to recognize
the Rice Lake and The Pond as future Park areas as they are
CITY OF OTSEGO PARKS AND RECREATION HEARING OF SEPTEMBER 21,
1992. Page 2
owned by the DNR. He was advised they could still consider
them as future sights.
Ron Black said we should also include the Halls Pond
Area as a future park site and also other areas could be
considered for potential park facilities.
Ron Black suggested that it might be premature to close
the Hearing and that we should continue it instead.
The Council has the option of making the Parks and
Recreation Comprehensive Plan a policy statement or else an
amendment to the City's Comprehensive Plan.
Ron Black withdrew his motion and Doug Lindenfelser
withdrew his second.
Motion by Ron Black to continue the Public Hearing on
the Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Plan on November 23,
1992, at 7:00 PM. Seconded by Doug Lindenfelser, all Council
Members voted in favor of the motion.
On Motion the meeting adjourned.
Attest: Jerome Perrault, Clerk
JP/jeh
NORMAN F. FRESKE, MAYOR
DOUG LINDENFELSER, COUNCIL
FLOYD RODEN, COUNCIL.
LARRY FOURNIER, COUNCIL
RON BLACK, COUNCIL