12-05-07 WSITEM 3_7
CITY OF OTSEGO
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
December 5, 2007
5:30 p.m.
Roll Call: Otsego City Council: Mayor Larry Fournier,
Councilmembers Mark Thorsted, Jessica Stockamp, and Vern
Heidner.
Absent: Tom Darkenwald.
City Staff: City Administrator Michael Robertson, Building
Official Tim Rochel and Public Works Supervisor Brad Belair.
DISCUSSION OF CELL PHONES:
Dave Thelen of Sprint/Nextel was present. He reviewed their
phones, which are a combination of cell phones and walkie-
talkies. He noted that the walkie-talkie channels are
separate from those used by cell phones so they are less
likely to suffer service delays. He described their
government program and noted that many of the communities
around Otsego have adopted Nextel phones and replaced their
two way radios.
The Council discussed coverage issues, group call, and
interaction with personal cell phones.
Mike Brumm of Digital Home & Business was present. They have
been a Nextel dealer for six years. They are a service
center and often will have spare phones and parts available
and can do the programming of phones while you wait. He
knows from experience that Nextel has coverage in Otsego. He
can also.install repeaters if needed within buildings.
Brad Belair said that the Nextel system would be perfect for
Public Works, particularly the group call application, which
would allow him to speak to all of his employees at once.
Tim Rochel said the current cell phones are working fine for
his department but if the City wants to switch to Nextel he
will make it work. Councilmember Heidner said the City would
save money by replacing the two way radios with the Nextel
system.
Council consensus was to order Nextel cell phones from Mike
Brumm for the Building and Public Works departments, and to
review usage patterns after a month or two to see if the
initial plans needed any modifications.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Administrator Robertson updated Council on a meeting he had
with People Service Inc., Gridor Construction and Bonestroo
Engineering regarding water damage during the construction of
the East Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion.
Council reviewed some snowplowing issues with Highway 101.
With no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:14
p.m.
Michael Robertson
City Administrator