08-08-2022 Special City Council MinutesOTSEGO CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
MONDAY, August 8, 2022
5:30 PM
OTSEGO PRAIRIE CENTER
Call to Order.
Mayor Stockamp called the meeting to order at 5:31 PM.
Roll Call:
Mayor Jessica Stockamp; Council members: Tom Darkenwald, Brittany Moores, and Jeff Dahl. City Staff:
City Administrator/Finance Director Adam Flaherty; Human Resources/Assistant City Administrator
Sabrina Hille; Streets Operation Manager Kevin Lamson; City Planner Dan Licht; and City Clerk Audra
Etzel. Absent: Councilmember Tina Goede,
1. 2023 Budget, Tax Levy and Capital Improvement Plan Review.
City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty presented the budget meeting #4 materials that were
included in the packet and noted that the full proposed 2023 general fund budget was distributed to the
City Council on August 5tn
Street Operations Manager Lamson presented the 2023 power point narrative, highlighting a
recommendation for a mechanic addition from 2024 be moved up to 2023, the 2022 map of the PCI
rating of City streets, snowplow route map, department goals, clean-up day, fleet storage needs, and
strategic plan alignment goals and initiatives.
CM Darkenwald asked about the non -paved roads. Streets Operation Manager Lamson said they are
getting calls regarding Kadler Avenue NE and 65tn Street NE. Mayor Stockamp asked about the dust
control for the gravel roads. Street Operations Manager Lamson reviewed the roads that received a dust
control application.
City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty summarized the Street Maintenance (43100) budget. There
was discussion on wages/benefits, , stormwater hour allocation, road maintenance supplies for gravel,
sand and salt, increases in signage material costs, phones and electronic equipment, rental equipment,
dust coating increases, and small equipment allowance for items not in the capital improvements. CM
Darkenwald asked about application for salt and sand. Street Operations Manager Lamson said with
their equipment they are able to pretreat and with salt application training staff has been doing a good
job with the application of salt and sand. The City Council concurred as presented.
Street Lights (43160) Accounts: is for street lighting electricity. New installation of street lights is based
off the street light policy. The City Council concurred as presented.
Fleet Management (43240). The department has a vacancy in the Mechanic position that has been
posted. There is a request for an additional staff member that was planned for 2024 to be moved up to
an October 2023 hiring. Streets Operation Manager Lamson said moving up the hire is proactive to keep
up with GPS, DOT certification, new vehicle additions, etc. Human Resources/Assistant City
Administrator Hille added the private market for mechanics is competitive and it's hard for the City to
keep up. Fuel cost expenses and supplies have increased with addition of vehicles and equipment in the
fleet. Repairs and maintenance for the utility department are billed back to their department.
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MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 8, 2022
Additionally, there are expenses for contracted services for repairs beyond the mechanics ability. CM
Darkenwald asked about maintenance of equipment with the vacancy. Streets Operation Manager
Lamson said more tasks will have to be outsourced until a new mechanic is hired. The City Council
concurred as presented.
City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty discussed the Revenues noting cable tv franchise fees have
leveled off, highlighting property taxes which account for 67% of the revenue. There was discussion on
building permit revenue, which is based on 296 new home permits, which is the 7-year average for the
City; 260 is the 10-year average and 330 is the 5-year average. Federal ARPA funds were received in
2022 but are not budgeted for future years, and noted that amounts are currently unallocated by the
City Council. CM Darkenwald asked how many Certificates of Occupancy will be added for 2022? City
Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty estimated 350-400. The City Council concurred as presented.
City Council (41100) Accounts. The City Council pay was noted as no change from the current year. A
community survey is currently proposed and can be removed from the budget should the City Council
decide to hold off. There was discussion that every other year for a survey seems too often and directed
staff to remove from the 2023 budget. The City Council concurred with all other line items as presented.
Assessing (41550) Accounts: is a contracted service with Wright County that covers the 2023
Assessment and will expire in June 2023 once that work is complete. City Administrator/Finance Director
Flaherty has reached out to other cities to compare costs and found they are paying significantly more.
The City Council concurred as presented.
Public Safety Commission (42150) Accounts were reviewed. The training budget was reviewed, with
Council directing staff to reduce the training budget since it is not being used by the Commissioners.
The City Council concurred as presented with the remainder of the line items.
Heritage Preservation Commission (45300) Accounts were reviewed, with Council directing staff to
reduce the training budget since it is not being used by the Commissioners. The training budget was
reviewed. The City Council concurred as presented with the remainder of the line items.
Parks and Recreation Commission (45350) Accounts were reviewed, with Council directing staff to
reduce the training budget since it is not being used by the Commissioners. The training budget was
reviewed. The City Council concurred as presented with the remainder of the line items.
Planning Commission (46300) Accounts were reviewed, with Council directing staff to reduce the training
budget since it is not being used by the Commissioners. The training budget was reviewed. The City
Council concurred as presented with the remainder of the line items.
Future budget meetings are scheduled for: August 22nd and August 29t". The Council would adopt the
Preliminary Tax Levy for Taxes Payable at the September 12t" or September 26t" meeting.
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MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
AUGUST 81 2022
2. Adjournment.
CM Darkenwald motioned to adjourn at 6:51 PM, seconded by CM Moores. All in favor.
Motion carried 4-0.
ATTEST:
Audra Etzel, City CI
Air
M'yor Jessica Stockamp
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