Item 6.1 Paddle Port Stations
Request for
City Council Action
DEPARTMENT INFORMATION
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT REQUESTOR: MEETING DATE:
Parks and Recreation Parks and Recreation Director Jacobs April 14, 2025
PRESENTER(s) REVIEWED BY: ITEM #:
Parks and Recreation City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty 6.1 – Paddle Port Stations
STRATEGIC VISION
MEETS: THE CITY OF OTSEGO:
Is a strong organization that is committed to leading the community through innovative communication.
Has proactively expanded infrastructure to responsibly provide core services.
Is committed to delivery of quality emergency service responsive to community needs and expectations in a
cost-effective manner.
Is a social community with diverse housing, service options, and employment opportunities.
X Is a distinctive, connected community known for its beauty and natural surroundings.
AGENDA ITEM DETAILS
RECOMMENDATION:
City staff is recommending the City Council accept quotes and authorize procurement of Paddle Ports and adopt a
resolution accepting a donation.
ARE YOU SEEKING APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT? IS A PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED?
No No
BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION:
2025 Capital Improvement Plan – Paddle Port Project
The 2025 Capital Improvement Plan includes funding of $80,000 for the purchase of two Paddle Port stations and a
transport trailer. Once completed, this project will provide an affordable kayak rental option, allowing participants to
travel eight miles of the Mississippi Water Trail.
The primary Paddle Port station will be located at Norin Landing Park and will feature six single kayaks and two
tandem kayaks available for rental. Each rental will include paddles and life jackets. Participants will reserve and pay
for their rentals through the Paddle Port manufacturer's website. To complete a reservation, participants must submit
payment and sign a waiver. Upon completion, they will receive a one-time code to unlock their assigned locker, which
corresponds to their rental.
Kayakers will then paddle nearly eight miles along the Mississippi Water Trail before returning their kayaks at Carrick’s
Landing Park. A return station will be located onshore to securely house the kayaks. Staff will transport the kayaks
back to the main Paddle Port station at Norin Landing as needed.
Operational Plan
Parks staff will require a transport trailer to move kayaks from Carrick’s Landing back to Norin Landing. Staff will
review the previous day’s rentals online before transporting the kayaks back to the main station. During this process,
they will inspect each kayak to ensure it is in good condition and verify that paddles and life jackets have been
returned. The waiver agreement clearly states that any damaged or lost equipment will be charged to the renter.
Once all kayaks are returned and accounted for, rentals can begin for the new day.
Staff propose a rental fee of $30 per day (9:00 AM–5:00 PM), based on feedback from the Parks and Recreation
Commission. With the rental fees set at this rate, the City would net nearly $20 dollars, which would equate to
roughly an 8-year payback timeline. Renters must reserve a kayak before 9:00 AM to participate, as rentals will not be
permitted after this time. If the reservation is made before 9am the renter can launch their kayak anytime thereafter.
The only stipulation is that the Kayak must be returned before 5pm, as late fees are charged at the rate of $100 per
hour. This ensures a single, consistent rental period each day.
Project Costs & Budget
A quote from System Services LLC outlines the cost of the Paddle Port stations and a lifetime agreement for software,
support, and payment management at $65,523.90. Additionally, staff received a quote from Remackel Trailers, Inc. for
the transport trailer at $4,795. The total cost for the Paddle Ports and transport trailer is $70,318.90, which is within
the allocated $80,000 budget.
Funding & Community Support
The Friends of the Mississippi River, a key partner, expressed strong support for the program’s potential to increase
public engagement with the river. In response, they generously pledged an $8,000 donation to help offset the cost of
the Paddle Port system. With this contribution, the final cost of procuring the Paddle Port system and transport trailer
is reduced to $62,318.90.
Peer Recommendations
To gain insight into the Paddle Port system’s effectiveness, staff reached out to the City of Cottage Grove. They
provided positive feedback based on their experiences and strongly recommended the system.
The Parks and Recreation Commission was presented with this information at their March 2025 meeting and the
Administrative Subcommittee reviewed at their April 2025 meeting and recommended consideration of approval by
the City Council.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
• Quote: Systems Services LLC
• Quote: Remackel Trailers, Inc.
• Resolution 2025-17
POSSIBLE MOTION
PLEASE WORD MOTION AS YOU WOULD LIKE IT TO APPEAR IN THE MINUTES:
Motion to accept the quotes from System Services LLC and Remackel Trailer, Inc. in the combined amount of
$70,318.90 for purchase of Two Paddle Port Stations and Transport Trailer.
Motion to adopt Resolution 2025-17 accepting a donation from Friends of the Mississippi River.
BUDGET INFORMATION
FUNDING: BUDGETED:
Fund 203 – Park Development
Yes
Page 1 of 2
System Services LLC
1642 Oakhurs t Rd
Albert Lea, MN 56007 US
billlhow e@gm ail.c om
s y st em s erv ices llc .c om
Es t imat e
ADDRESS
Nick Jac obs
City of Otsego - Parks and Rec reation
13400 90th Street NE
O ts ego, MN 55330
SHIP TO
Nick Jac obs
City of Otsego - Parks and Rec reation
13400 90th Street NE
O ts ego, MN 55330
ESTIMATE 1088
DATE 01/27/2025
EXPIRATIO N
DATE
04/30/2025
DATE ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION QTY RATE AMOUNT
01/27/2025 2024 iPaddlePort Station iPaddlePort W/Trailer
1 8 Unit Station
2 Bar Locks w/Padlocks
1 Sign Panel Support Set
1 24'H x 74"W Header Sign Panel with
Custom Graphics
9 iPaddlePort Proprietary Locks
4 Tear Back Large Panel Graphics
16 SXUX Decals
1 SXSD Service Door Decals
1 Temporary Lockdown Decal
1 (3) 10"x19" (2) 16"x28" iPaddlePort
Logo Decals
2 Solar-powered Vents
1 6' x 14' Single Axle Trailer
1 Trailer Towing Light Kit
1 Trailer Mounting Hardware
1 Trailer Registration
2 27,500.00 55,000.00
01/27/2025 Current Designs Solara
120 R Single Kayak
Current Designs Solara 120 R Single
Kayak
6 928.00 5,568.00
01/27/2025 Current Designs Solara
145T Tandem Kayak
Current Designs Solara 145T Tandem
Kayak
2 1,278.00 2,556.00
01/27/2025 Current Designs Aura
Kayak Paddle
Current Designs Aura Kayak Paddle 10 140.00 1,400.00
01/27/2025 Oynx Universal Paddle
PFD Oversize 90# or Up
Oynx Universal Paddle PFD Oversize
90# or Up
10 49.99 499.90
01/27/2025 Shipping Shipping 1 500.00 500.00
SUBTOTAL 65,523.90
TAX 0.00
TOTAL $65,523.90
Page 2 of 2
Acc epted By
Acc epted Date
Estimate
Date
3/11/2025
Estimate #
353
Name / Address
City of Otsego Parks and Recreation
Nick Jacobs
13400 90th ST NE
Otsego,MN 55330
Remackel Trailers, Inc
6255 210th Street North
Forest Lake, MN 55025
Project
Total
Description Qty Rate Total
5'x8'x12" sides, 2200 lbs Axle, 8 Place Racks,13" Tires on
galvanized rims, Spare Tire, 6' Tongue, LED Lights, Jack Stand
with wheel, 2" Coupler, Safety Chains, Canoe Guard, Hot dipped
galvanized trailer .
4,795.00 4,795.00
MN Sales Tax 8.375% 0.00
$4,795.00
1
CITY OF OTSEGO
COUNTY OF WRIGHT
STATE OF MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO: 2025-17
ACCEPTING A DONATION FROM THE FRIENDS OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER
FOR THE PURCHASE OF PADDLE PORT STATIONS
WHEREAS, the Friends of the Mississippi River has made a cash donation of $8,000.00 to the City of Otsego; and
WHEREAS, the donation to the City of Otsego is for the purpose of purchasing Paddle Port stations; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes 465.03 requires that all gifts and donations or real or personal property to be accepted only
with the adoption of a resolution of the governing body; and
WHEREAS, the City of Otsego sincerely thanks the Friends of the Mississippi River for their generous donation and for its
support of the community.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO, MINNESOTA:
1. That the donation from the Friends of the Mississippi River in the amount of $8,000 has been hereby accepted.
ADOPTED by the Otsego City Council this 14th day of April, 2025.
MOTION BY:
SECONDED BY:
IN FAVOR:
OPPOSED:
CITY OF OTSEGO
__________________________________
Jessica L. Stockamp, Mayor
ATTEST:
__________________________________
Audra Etzel, City Clerk