2023.08.21 Special City Council MinutesSPECIAL OTSEGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, AUGUST 21, 2023
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 and Councilmembers: Jeff Dahl, Tina Goede, Brittany Moores, and
Ryan Dunlap. City Staff: City Administrator/Finance Director Adam Flaherty, Assistant City
Administrator/Human Resources Hille, Streets Operation Manager Kevin Lamson, Parks and
Recreation Director Nick Jacobs, Emergency Services Director Daryl Rausch, and City Clerk
Audra Etzel.
1. 2024 Budget, Tax Levy and Capital Improvement Plan Review.
City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty reviewed the budget meeting #3 materials which
included a brief memo, department budgets as outlined in the packet, and tax levy summary.
Staff is seeking Council input during these budget review meetings to move the budgeting
process forward effectively and efficiently.
Rausch presented the 2024 Emergency Services PowerPoint budget narrative and Flaherty
reviewed the public safety function budgets. CM Dunlap inquired about the Animal Control
budget and asked if there was any way to recoup those costs. Flaherty explained that if a
resident claims their animal, they are responsible for the costs; however, if nobody claims the
animals, they are adopted by animal shelters and the City is responsible for the costs.
Lamson presented the 2024 Public Worl<s PowerPoint budget narrative and Flaherty reviewed
the public works function budgets. The City Council discussed the increasing costs related to
the compost site. CM Dunlap asked about the change in personnel costs for the Street
Maintenance Department. Flaherty and Hille explained how the staffing budget was developed.
Mayor Stockamp asked about the reporting system for street light outages. Lamson will
develop possible alternative solutions to this process and review at a future subcommittee
meeting. Mayor Stockamp asked about the increase in software expenditures for the Fleet
Department. Lamson reviewed that the City is increasing GPS capabilities in the fleet and the
increase is the result of additional vehicles being equipped with that technology.
Jacobs presented the Parks and Recreation Department PowerPoint budget narrative and
Flaherty reviewed the culture and recreation function budgets. CM Dunlap inquired on where
the revenues generated from recreation programs are accounted for. Flaherty explained that
the revenues are accounted for in separate accounts from the expenditures and identified
those line -item revenue amounts in the budget. CM Dunlap noted that he would request
additional information supporting the ratio of costs recovered through recreation fees for the
requested staff addition.
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MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 21, 2023
Flaherty reviewed the economic development function and interfund transfer function budgets.
Etzel presented the City Clerk's PowerPoint budget narrative. CM Goede inquired on whether
the election drop box would continue in 2024. The City Council discussed this topic further and
directed staff to research whether there are any impacts to not having one in place due to the
grant funding received.
Hille presented the Human Resources PowerPoint budget narrative. The City Council discussed
the addition of performance review software.
Flaherty presented the Administration Department PowerPoint budget narrative and reviewed
the general government function budgets. CM Dunlap inquired on the contingency budget
within the City Council budget. Flaherty will develop historical data on how much of the
contingency has been used for review at a future budget meeting. CM Dunlap questioned if the
City should be budgeting annually for elections so there is not such a swing in the budget during
election years. Flaherty will incorporate that funding method into future budgets.
The City Council concurred to postpone review of the revenue budgets and property tax levies
and directed staff to add as an agenda item for the August 28 special meeting.
2. Adjourn.
CM Moores motioned to close the meeting at 9:14 PM, seconded by CM Goede. All in favor.
Motion carried 5-0.
ATTEST:
Audra Etzel, City Clerl<
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