2023.07.31 Special City Council MinutesSPECIAL OTSEGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, JULY 31, 2023
5:30 PM
OTSEGO PRAIRIE CENTER
Call to Order:
Mayor Stockamp called the meeting to order at 5*30 PM.
Roll Call:
Mayor Jessica Stockamp and Councilmembers: Jeff Dahl, Tina Goede, Brittany Moores, and
Ryan Dunlap, City Staff: City Administrator/Finance Director Adam Flaherty, Assistant City
Administrator/Human Resources Sabrina Hille, Emergency Services Director Daryl Rausch,
Wright County Sheriff Sergeant Jason Oltmanns and City Planner Daniel Licht.
1. Emergency Services Department.
Emergency Services Director Rausch presented information on an Emergency Services
Department, looking for direction from the City Council. Rausch noted that presented
information is not final but intended to develop discussion and feedback.
Rausch presented current challenges facing the City of Otsego and within all Fire Departments.
CM Moores asked how there are the issues with transfer of calls between dispatch, and how
that process creates delays. Rausch explained that there is additional dialogue to locate the
caller and response area needed that causes a delay in transfer.
Rausch presented on future staffing considerations and accommodations to future staffing, he
shared that recruitment will be a priority with community engagement. Rausch will meet
quarterly with contract departments, and potentially move to monthly to stay current on
response standards.
Rausch presented on the image and identity of the department; further explaining the
Emergency Services Department is Cl" intentional title, to encompass the full scope of work.
Rausch stated the goal is to balance the past rural response need, and the new suburban
residential response needs.
Rausch shared a list of eventual fleet needs, but these are a long term plan over 20 years.
Rausch shared vehicles can be combined to reduce costs and serve the community.
Understanding the restraints of the community, compact vehicles will better serve due to the
roundabouts and cukcle-sacs.
Rausch presented facility considerations, the hope to have a community room, that would be
available to rent for residents and community groups. Rausch stated the importance of the
facility to be built to allow for growth and future staffing needs; as well as space to allow for
EMS to house. The space needs to be able to function as an Emergency Operations Center,
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MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING JULY 312023
Rausch presented on emergency management, highlighting the planning and future training for
city council and city staff. Community engagement is important to help with recruitment and
help the community identity.
CM Moores stated the importance of community engagement due to the residents with
expertise in apparatus and operations, from being active firefighters.
Flaherty shared that there are ARPA funds available of approximately $2 million to cover an
apparatus, which was previously discussed at the council. A resident in attendance asked where
the ARPA funding is allocated to, and Flaherty stated there is no allocation yet to the funds. The
funding for the water and wastewater utilities was an option, but council decided against this
option, as it only would benefit utility rate payers not the full community.
CM Dunlap stated the contracts are cheaper than creating our own department. CM Dunlap
stated that the current departments are doing a fine job and should be how the community
moves forward.
CM Moores thanked the residents in the audience for input received, and share it is helpful
feedback.
Sergeant Oltmanns shared that community identity is important for the response to improve.
Oltmanns shared a common issue is that residents are unaware of the city they live in, and this
adds to further issues with dispatch and delays.
Flaherty is looking for direction from city council, based on the presented information. He is
hoping to get confirmation staff is moving in the right direction.
Mayor Stockamp suggested the Public Safety Commission and the residents in attendance stay
involved, as they will provide valuable information. Rausch invited the residents to come to the
public safety commission, as most discussions will be held there.
CM Dahl is asking how they move forward now, Rausch is asking for validation that he is on the
right track and anything that they do not agree with.
CM Goede said Keep moving forward, CM Dahl concurred and complimented Rausch on a good
presentation. CM Dunlap stated his experience from residents is that they are uninterested,
and he suggests to further justify the need and timing at the festival. Mayor Stockamp shared
that there is education needed on this project, and that we need to share more information to
help residents understand the service model. The current news coverage has highlighted that
there is no fire department. Mayor Stockamp is in support of the presented information.
Council directed the Public Safety Commission to lead and work with Rausch on this project,
and to make recommendations to City Council.
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MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING JULY 312023
2. Adjourn.
CM Dunlap motioned to close the meeting at 8:10 PM, seconded by CM Dahl. All in favor.
Motion carried S-0.
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ATTEST: Ali," JUL I I i I ; r
Sabrina Hille, Assistant City Administrator/Human Resources
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