2023.04.24 City Council MinutesOTSEGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, APRIL 24, 2023
7:00 PM
OTSEGO PRAIRIE CENTER
Call to Order:
Mayor Stockamp called the meeting to order at 7:07 PM.
Roll Call:
Mayor Jessica Stockamp and Councilmembers: Brittany Moores, Jeff Dahl, and Ryan Dunlap.
City Staff: City Administrator/Finance Director Adam Flaherty, City Attorney Dave Kendall, City
Planner Daniel Licht, and City Clerk Audra Etzel. Councilmember Tina Goede arrived at 7:08
PM.
Pledge of Allegiance:
Mayor Stockamp led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
1. Open Forum:
Mayor Stockamp opened the Open Forum at 7:08 PM.
Tim Neutgens, 1327185th Street NE, asked about the process of updating the No Discharge
Map. City Planner Licht said the map will be reviewed in June, considered for approval by the
City Council and go into effect in September of 2023. Mr. Neutgens wants to Know what will
happen if his house is hit in the future? Sergeant Oltmanns said he has spoken with the family
in the past and treats each incident individually; a possible charge in the future would be
reckless discharge of a firearm.
Mayor Stoclamp closed the Open Forum at 7:10 PM.
2. Consider Agenda Approval:
CM Moores motioned to approve the agenda as written, seconded by CM Dahl. All in favor.
Motion carried S-0.
3.
Consent
Agenda.
3.1
ADDrove
Claims
List.
3.2 Approve City Council Meeting Minutes.
A. April 10, 2023 Meeting.
B. April 10, 2023 Special Meeting.
C. April 12, 2023 Special Meeting.
3.3 Adopt a Proclamation Recognizing May 2023 as Building Safety Month.
3.4 Accept Quotes and Authorize the 2023 Crack Filling Project.
3.5 ADDrove the Hiring for the Street Maintenance I Position.
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MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 24, 2023
3.8
Approve
the Hiring
of Recreation
Leader
and
Recreation
Intern
Positions,
3.9
Adopt
Resolution
2023-27 AcceatinR
Grant
Navigator
Funding,
3.10 Accept Proposals and Authorize a Utility Rate Study and a WAC & SAC Review.
3.11 Accept a Water Quality Improvement Grant.
3.12 Adopt Resolution 2023-28 Authorizing Assignment of TIF Development Agreement &
Note.
CM Dunlap requested to move Item 3.6 from the consent agenda for further discussion to Item
5.1.
CM Moores motioned to approve the consent agenda as amended moving item 3.6 Approve
the Appointment for the Emergency Services Director Position to 5.1, seconded by CM Goede.
All in favor. Motion carried 5.0.
4. Legal:
4.1 East-West Watermain Connection Project:
A. Presentation by City Attorney.
B. Consider Resolution 2023-29 Authorizing Condemnation of Land for Public Pu
City Attorney Kendall presented the staff report regarding the needed easements for the East-
West Watermain Connection Project. Staff is requesting to start the process of eminent
domain to keep the project moving forward. Their office will continue to work with and
negotiate with the property owners. CM Dunlap asked what type of easements were needed?
City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty said it is a combination of temporary and
permanent easements. City Attorney Kendall is hopeful the easements will be obtained
without the use of eminent domain.
CM Dunlap asked what the project cost impacts would be without the easements. City
Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty noted that directional boring construction is an
alternative with an increased cost of $50.00 per linear foot, or approximately $83,750 according
to estimates from the City Engineer. Flaherty also noted this is only an alternative to the
temporary easements, the permanent easement alternatives would alter the project scope
significantly more.
CM Dunlap has an issue with eminent domain. Mayor Stocl<amp said this is the next step to
Keep the project on schedule. City Attorney Kendall said the City Engineer has explored all the
project options and found this is the best route. City Attorney Kendall noted the City is not
taking the property at this time, this is to start the 90-day notice period to keep the project on
schedule. CM Dunlap agrees the temporary easements are being fairly compensated for the
use of their land. CM Goede asked how long has staff been negotiating with the property
owner? City Attorney Kendall said staff started the process in February of 2023.
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MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 24, 2023
CM Dahl motioned to adopt Resolution 2023-29 authorizing condemnation of land for public
purposes and to direct the City Attorney to initiate the condemnation proceedings, seconded
by CM Goede. Voting in favor: Stockamp, Dahl, Goede and Moores. Opposed: Dunlap.
Motion carried 4"1.
5.1 Approve the Appointment for the Emergency Services Director Position.
CM Dunlap thanked those that helped with the interview process for the Emergency Services
Director position. As a citizen, he does not feel an Emergency Services Director is needed in the
City of Otsego.
CM Dahl motioned to appoint Daryl Rausch to the position of Emergency Services Director,
effective July 1, 2023 at Pay Grade 19, Step 6, and Paid Time Off Accrual at 8 years of service,
seconded by CM Goede. Voting in favor. Stockamp, Dahl, Goede and Moores. Opposed.
Dunlap. Motion carried 4"1.
5. City Council Reports and Updates:
A. Heritage Preservation Commission Liaison CM Moores. No update.
Be
Parks and Recreation Commission Liaison CM Moores. No update.
C. Planning Commission Liaison Mayor Stockamp. No update. City Planner Licht
said the applicant withdrew their application from the April 17th meeting and will notify staff if
they wish to continue.
D. Public Safety Commission Liaison Goede. No update.
Mayor Stockamp, CM Goede, CM Dahl and CM Moores agreed the Emergency Services Director
position has been well thought out and they look forward to the position being filled. The City
Council welcomed all the new hires.
6. Staff Reports and Updates:
City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty said clean-up day is this Saturday o-noon at the
Public Works Building, the Deputy Clerk posting closes this week, the Utility Operator posting
closes next week, and Flaherty will be out the office starting Wednesday for the MN City,
Managers conference.
Sergeant Jason Oltmanns, Wright County Sheriff's Department said the call volume has
increased with the change in seasons and flooding has created a challenge getting around
town. Mayor Stockamp said she has received complaints at the CSAH 39 roundabout and asked
if deputies would patrol. Sergeant Oltmanns said their staff will continue to watch CSAH 39.
Page 3 of 4
MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 24, 2023
7. Adjourn.
CM Dahl motioned to adjourn at 7@36 PM, seconded by CM Goede. All in favor. Motion
carried 5-0.
Ilr
ATTEST.
Audra Etzel, City Clerk
5toc1<amp, PJlayor