2023.11.27 City Council MinutesOTSEGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2023
7:00 PM
OTSEGO PRAIRIE CENTER
Call to Order:
Mayor Stockamp called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Roll Call:
Mayor Jessica Stockamp and Councilmembers: Brittany Moores, Tina Goede, Jeff Dahl, and
Ryan Dunlap, City Staff: City Administrator/Finance Director Adam Flaherty, Assistant City
Administrator/Human Resources Sabrina Hille, Emergency Services Director Daryl Rausch, City
Engineer Ron Wagner, City Planner Daniel Licht, City Attorney Dave Kendall, and City Clerk
Audra Etzel.
Pledge of Allegiance:
Mayor Stockamp led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
1. Open Forum:
Mayor Stockamp opened the Open Forum at 7:01 PM.
Wright County Commissioner Jeanne Holland was in attendance to meet the Otsego Emergency
Services Director. Commissioner Holland provided updates regarding: the CR 137
reconstruction project and a public hearing scheduled for December 12 regarding a moratorium
on cannabis.
Mayor Stoclamp closed the Open Forum at 7:04 PM.
2. Consider Agenda Approval:
CM Dunlap requested to move item 3.13 from the consent agenda to Item 6.1 for further
discussion.
CM Dunlap motioned to approve the agenda as amended, seconded by CM Dahl. All in favor.
Motion carried 5-0.
3. Consent Agenda.
3.1 ADDrove Claims List
3.2 Approve
City Council
Meeting
Minutes.
A.
November 13, 2023
Meeting.
B.
November 13, 2023
Special
Meeting.
3.3 Adopt
a Grant Contract Agreement
for Carrick's Landing Park.
3.4 ADDrove
an Amendment to
the Fee
Schedule to the Aereement for Leizal Services,
3.5 Approve an Amendment to the Fee Schedule to the Agreement for Engineering Services.
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MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
NOVEMBER 27, 2023
3.6 Approve an Agreement for Professional Planning Services.
3.7 Adopt Resolution 2023-75 Accepting Public Improvements — Meadow of River
Addition.
3.8 Approve Pay Application #1 (Final) for the 2023 Street Microsurfacing Project,
3.9 ADDrove Pav ADDlication #1 (Final) for the 2023 Street Mill & Overlav Proiect.
3.10 ADDrove Pav ADDlication #2 for the 2023 Street Renewal Proiecta
in gnu
3.11 Approve Pay Application #3 for the Pumphouse No. 4 Project.
3.12 Adopt Resolution 2023-76 Adopting a Revised Personnel Policy.
3 I Q A.J.,..+ Qnrr�lu+inn 2Q=3 :7:7 EStablashong -. Clnvibie \A/ArL Dnlin i Moved to Item 6.1 for
further discussion.
3.14 ADDrove the Hiring of a Street Maintenance I Position.
CM Dahl motioned to approve the consent agenda as amended, seconded by CM Dunlap.
All in favor. Motion carried 5-0.
CM Dahl thanked the consultants for their continued service.
4.1 Emereencv Services:
A.
Presentation by
Emergency
Services Director.
B.
Consider Resolution
2023-78
Establishing
the Department.
Emergency Services Director Rausch reviewed the staff report.
CM Dunlap is concerned with establishing the Otsego Fire &Emergency Services Department
without the known costs for: staffing, pension, equipment, etc. CM Dunlap does not feel this is
a less expensive option for the residents and would like to continue contracting services.
CM Goede is impressed with the development of the Otsego Fire &Emergency Services being
ahead of schedule. Rausch found the studies that were completed before he started showing
the need for services very helpful. Rausch said he has spoken with the contracted chiefs and
they agree that costs for contracted services will continue to increase for responses to the City
of Otsego. Rausch said starting the Otsego department does not divide resources, but
increases shared resources.
CM Goede motioned to adopt Resolution 2023-78 providing for the establishment of the
Otsego Fire &Emergency Services Department, seconded by CM Moores.
CM Dunlap motioned to table the decision until more information is available. Motion failed
due to a lack of a second.
Voting in favor: Stockamp, Goede, Moores and Dahl. Voting against: Dunlap. Motion carried
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MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 27, 2023
5. City Council Reports and Updates:
Mayor Stockamp spoke with Flaherty today regarding the City Campus Project in regards to
social media discussions, and suggested hosting another open house and allow residents to ask
questions of staff regarding the space needs. CM Moores said she has seen social media
discussion and those residents that have seen the studies, seem to be in favor of the City
Campus Project. CM Goede said she has seen the social media and feels it would be beneficial
for residents to be offered another open house. CM Dahl also has seen the social media, noting
the project started with Public Works needs due to lack of space. CM Dahl said the space study
showed the need to build a City Hall due to growth within the City, waiting for the future will
only defer the cost.
CM Dunlap asked what is the cost to host an additional Open House. Flaherty said Wold and
Kraus Anderson would not charge and the staff are salary, so there would be little costs. CM
Goede suggested Emergency Services Director Rausch be available for residents to answer
questions. Flaherty recommended an hour-long meeting and staff can stay longer if residents
have questions. Flaherty will check with Wold and Kraus Anderson for availability and staff will
post notice of a potential quorum for December 4th from 6pm-7pm. CM Dunlap feels the levy
increase is the issue not the design.
Mayor Stoclamp noted her City portion on her statement did not reflect a 19% increase. CM
Dunlap said his City portion went up 19.4%. Mayor Stockamp noted CM Dunlap did not
provided any alternatives to the City Hall Campus Project needs. CM Dunlap said he was not
presented any other options. CM Dunlap said the needs study does not justify the gold-plated
Lamborghini.
CM Dahl asked CM Dunlap when should these projects be completed? CM Dunlap did not
have an answer. CM Dunlap said Prairie Center was built by residents. City Planner Licht said a
contractor was hired to build the building and there were some donations provided by local
businesses. Licht noted the Prairie Center was originally built with expansion in mind 30 years
ago and after speaking to Wold, due to the age of the building if was not cost efficient. Licht
added the Public Works element was driving the project and the initial study was to relocate
City Hall staff to allow for the Public Works expansion; this was the least costly option based on
needs and growth. Mayor Stockamp asked CM Dunlap where he proposes to put the growing
staff? CM Dunlap said we come up with something else.
Staff will confirm the open house and post a notice.
A. Heritage Preservation Commission Liaison CM Moores said the Commission is
continuing to develop proposed names for the park in the Ashwood subdivision.
B. Parks and Recreation Commission Liaison CM Moores said at the Commission
meeting, HI<Gi reviewed concept plans for the Ashwood neighborhood park. The feedback
from the residents will be presented to City Council at a future meeting. Santa Day is Saturday,
December 91h at the Public Works Facility,
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MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 27, 2023
C. Plannine Commission Liaison Mavor Stockamp noted there have been no recent
meetings.
D. Public Safety Commission Liaison CM Goede provided updates regarding the
issues with the communication system for Wright County Sheriff's Office and Snow Parking
went HUE: CLot on November 1.
6. Staff Reports and Updates:
6.1 Item 3.13 removed from the consent agenda for further discussion Adopt Resolution
2023-77 Establishing a Flexible Work Policy.
CM Dunlap asked why the days allowed to work from home quarterly is only 4 days? Assistant
City Administrator/Human Resources Hille, said the 4 days are based on staff feedback along
with staffing and coverage needs.
CM Dunlap said he would like to see staff that are able, to be able to work 100% remote. CM
Dunlap feels the remote options will help with space needs. Hille said there would be very few
positions that would be considered and staff looked at being equitable for the all City Hall staff.
Hille said Council could direct staff to make revisions. Mayor Stockamp said the policy is fair for
all the City Hall staff and does not see any staff that could work 100% remotely due to
coverage. CM Dunlap would like to see more flexibility in the policy for staff to work remote.
Hille said she is comfortable with what is presented in the packet, noting changes could be
reviewed in the future. CM Goede said staff has provided input and agrees with the policy as
presented. CM Dunlap would like to change the language in Section 4, A&B to allow for 100%
remote work for certain employees. Mayor Stockamp appreciates the suggestions, noting staff
has prepared a policy based on staffs recommendation and staffing needs.
CM Dunlap motioned to adopt Resolution 2023-77 Establishing a Flexible Work Policy,
seconded by CM Goede. All in favor. Motion carried 5-0.
Assistant City Administrator/Human Resources Hille said staff will be interviewing IT candidates.
City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty said Rob Snavely will be invited to the next City
Council meeting for recognition.
City Planner Licht said there will be a Planning Commission meeting December 18.
City Engineer Wagner had project updates regarding: East-West Watermain, and Otsego Creel<
Crossing.
Emergency Services Director Rausch provided updates regarding: Metro Fire Chiefs meeting,
ambulance PSA discussions, EMS licensing, Hennepin Tech training, and meeting with the three
contracted Fire Departments.
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MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 27, 2023
Sergeant Jason Oltmanns, Wright County Sheriff's Office provided an update regarding the
computer system issues with parcel naming identification and noted property damage
complaints for holiday decorations.
7. Adjourn.
CM Goede motioned to adjourn at 8@13 PM, seconded by CM Dahl. All in favor. Motion
carried 5-0.
ATTEST.
Audra Etzel, City Clerk
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