04.9.2024 Public Safety Meeting MinutesPUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION
OTSEGO PRAIRIE CENTER
April 9, 2024
6:30 PM
Call to Order:
This meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM.
Roll Call: Chair David Greeman; Commissioners: John Braun, Gregory Hubbard,
Mark Wolf, Dan Freiberg, and Kyle Heltemes; City Council: Mayor Jessica Stockamp, CM Tina
Goede & Ryan Dunlap & Emergency Services Director Daryl Rausch
2. Consider agenda approval.
Commissioner John Braun motioned to approve the agenda as written. Seconded by
Commissioner Gregory Hubbard. All in favor. Motioned carried 6-0.
3. Consider the following minutes:
3.1 April 9, 2024
Commissioner Gregory Hubbard motioned to approve the minutes as written. Seconded by
Commissioner John Braun. All in favor. Motion carried 6-0.
4. Open Forum.
No comments were made.
5. Review received monthly reports.
5.1-5.3
There were no representatives present from any fire departments.
5.2 Elk River Ambulance
A representative was present. Response times were discussed, which is currently 7 to 8 minutes
with 13% of calls dispatched to Otsego. They are currently trying to replace their fleet with one
truck received and taking possession of a second truck by September and a third by March.
6.5 Allina EMS
Allina EMS was present. Response times have been slightly lower but have looked to move hours
to cover busier time periods. Also trying to hire more people but the pool is small. The busiest
day is Friday and the least busiest is Sunday.
5.3 Wright County Sheriff Department.
Sergeant Jason Oltmanns discussed the complaints from residents concerning the air brake noise
caused by trucks going to the distribution centers located along Queens Avenue. There had been
signs placed in the past restricting the use of air brakes. To solve the problem Letters were sent
to the distribution centers outlining the air brake rule. Also, a total of 28 hours among eight
different deputies were spent monitoring violations from the posted signs. Out of the hundreds
of trucks they had one violation. The sheriff’s office also spoke with several workers, but no one
had noticed any trucks using air brakes. He is unsure what is causing the air brake noise, but one
possibility is that there are hills that the trucks struggle to get up and make excessive noises
when that occurs.
36 calls were received related to the NorthStar Treatment Center located at 10990 95th Street NE
(County Road 39). Commissioner Dan Freiberg questioned why the sheriff’s office is involved
with the facility. Since it is known that they will be dealing with mental health issues the center
should have staff in place to deal with issues. Jason would like to work with the facility, but they
don’t always provide enough information due to privacy concerns to fully investigate issues. One
incident was from someone leaving the facility and was found lying in the roadway of County
Road 39. Commissioner Kyle Heltemes asked when residents decide to leave have there been
any crimes committed. Jason said there have been no crimes that the department knows of, but
deputies have been injured with one being bitten. Dan asked if there were too many people at
the facility and Jason responded that they still have issues with high occupancy and low
occupancy. The center has begun canine sweeps with the use of a private firm to detect drugs
inside the facility, but the residents can keep it in their car where there is no search conducted.
Jason spoke of a case that was considered a drug overdose has turned into a homicide. Two
teenagers went to a liquor store in Minneapolis to buy M30 pills. These were brought back to
Otsego and distributed. A teenager that received some of the pills distributed to another
teenager who consumed one and perished. The person that gave the pill to the perished
teenager is being charged in the case.
Finally, there was discussion around how 911 calls get relayed between counties and mutual aid.
Relaying calls can delay response times.
6.1 Emergency Services Director Updates.
Daryl Rausch – Finalized floor plan of new fire hall. Is interested in and will discuss with mutual
aid partners if an ambulance can be parked in the new facility. He also talked about response ties
and how they should be tracked.
6. Set Next Meeting.
May 21st, 2024 – This is a road cleanup day, Commissioners are asked to arrive 45 minutes early to clean
the ditches along Nashua Avenue NE prior to the meeting.
7. Nominations for positions were held. David Greeman will remain the Chair and the new Vice Chair is
Dan Freiberg. Kyle Heltemes will become the Secretary.
8. Adjourn.
Commissioner Mark Wolf motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner Kyle Heltemes
All in favor. Motion carried 6-0.
Adjourned at 8:30 PM.
Minutes taken/written by Commissioner Kyle Heltemes