Item 3.2.B. 2025.04.29 Special City Council MinutesPage 1 of 4
SPECIAL OTSEGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2025
6:30 PM
OTSEGO PRAIRIE CENTER
Call to Order:
Mayor Stockamp called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.
Roll Call:
Mayor Jessica Stockamp and Councilmembers: Ryan Dunlap, Tina Goede, Corey Tanner, and
Michelle Lund. Public Safety Commissioners: David Greeman, Gregory Hubbard, Kyle Heltemes,
and Rossamon Becker. City Staff: City Administrator/Finance Director Adam Flaherty and
Emergency Services Director Daryl Rausch.
1.Fire & Emergency Services Department – Operations Presentation:
Emergency Services Director Rausch reviewed the packet and presentation materials as
included in the packet.
CM Tanner asked about Rausch’s previous work experiences. Rausch outlined past employment
experiences and how they aligned to Otsego in terms of staffing and station projects.
CM Tanner asked about concerns of costs of the department. Rausch outlined current costs for
fire protection, primarily contracted services compared to proposed budgets and outlined
increasing environment for capital costs.
CM Tanner asked about delays in dispatching. Rausch outlined why that happens with multiple
counties involved.
CM Lund outlined the number of fire departments in the State compared to the number of
cities and noted Otsego is larger than most and asked for clarification on the classification of
the proposed department. Rausch explained that it would be a combination model.
CM Lund asked for clarification on the number of staff proposed. Rausch explained the number
of full-time and paid-on-call personnel.
CM Lund asked about the ratio of staffing compared to population. Rausch explained the
staffing response requiring three on an engine truck, and noted that staffing ratios are more
based on call volumes than something such as population.
CM Lund asked about evaluation of staffing once the department is operational. Rausch said
that staffing evaluations will be ongoing.
Item 3.2.B.
MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 29, 2025
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CM Lund asked why there are more stations in Minnesota compared to national metrics.
Rausch explained that paid-on-call models dominate Minnesota and is the primary reason there
are more stations than in other parts of the country.
Commissioner Greeman thanked Rausch for the presentation and commented on the many
roles the captain’s position will require, noting competitive recruitment will be needed and that
succession planning will be important. Greeman commented on the unique aspects of the
multiple tools this staffing model will need. Rausch outlined the importance of community risk
reduction and commitment that staff need to provide for those services, and noted the
Commissioners can be an asset to help with recruitments given background in public safety.
Commissioner Greeman asked whether the station will be able to accommodate future growth.
Rausch outlined how many staff would be able to operate from there and that some
consideration was given to EMS providers doing the same.
Mayor Stockamp asked about the data from dispatch and at what number of calls would
require consideration of future staff growth. Rausch outlined more focus on concurrent calls
rather than total volume of calls.
CM Tanner asked about usage of paid-on-call personnel for mutual aid responses. Rausch
outlined that a response from Otsego would be given and noted certain call types would be
from the career staff and others from the paid-on-call staff.
CM Tanner referenced a previous study and that there was a goal to assist EMS responses.
Rausch discussed the ratio of EMS calls vs. Fire calls and that the significance of the call dictates
the response.
CM Dunlap commented on the data from dispatch noting there was not enough information on
the time of day, or day of week, which doesn’t adequately account for when a duty crew would
be needed based on calls. Dunlap believes the call numbers are inflated and is concerned with
the possibility of manual errors in the method used to track and develop the data, and
questioned why data was not obtained from contract departments. Dunlap believes that an
objective third party study should have been used and would have included multiple factors
that were not included within the study presented. Dunlap commented that regional
collaboration was not adequately included within the study presented.
CM Lund asked for clarification on certain data from CM Dunlap, who explained his sources.
CM Tanner asked about the future growth of Otsego and the impacts to department staffing.
Rausch explained that Otsego is projected to grow for many years and that future staffing
evaluations will be ongoing.
MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 29, 2025
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CM Lund asked about a previous study done by Elk River citing a station that was identified in
Otsego. Rausch noted that it was completed before his role was developed. Mayor Stockamp
reviewed several studies over the years between multiple communities.
CM Dunlap stated that a third-party study should have been conducted and asked the other
members if they feel comfortable with the recommendations.
CM Tanner outlined his support and noted that these discussions have been ongoing for a long
time.
Rausch clarified that no formal action is being requested at this meeting so there is more time
for continued evaluation and provided a rough estimate of time that an additional study would
require.
CM Tanner commented that this is public safety, and it is important to prepare for providing
lifesaving services throughout the community.
CM Goede thanked Rausch for the presentation and commented that the City hired this
position to complete what the City Council has asked of him, and that his expertise is guiding
the decisions. Goede extended thanks to the current partners for all they have done for the
community and hopes to continue those relationships, and that Otsego needs to take its own
step in building for the future.
CM Tanner thanked the partners for their long history in helping and guiding the community.
Mayor Stockamp thanked the partners for their involvement and noted that each of them were
involved with and participated in previous studies. Stockamp noted that she was in direct
contact with the mayors of each city when the Otsego Council chose its path to keep
communications open.
CM Dunlap commented that he does not believe the other departments knew what was
happening and that he thinks they are disappointed.
Mayor Stockamp asked for further clarification on the call numbers in the study compared to
those communicated by others. Rausch explained the differences stem from standardization of
calls with one department.
CM Lund asked about communication with other departments. Rausch explained that the
Chiefs last met in February of this year.
CM Dunlap commented that it is easy to spend taxpayer money is concerned the City is not
making the right decisions. Dunlap commented on the amount of overtime costs included in the
study. Rausch explained that overtime is quite common for public safety and that additional
staff would be needed to alleviate the overtime line items.
MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 29, 2025
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Mayor Stockamp opened the meeting to questions from the audience asking that comments be
limited to three minutes or less and that audience members are respectful of those speaking.
The City Council, Public Safety Commissioners, and City staff fielded questions and provided
answers to questions when they were asked.
2. Adjourn.
CM Tanner motioned to adjourn at 9:00 PM, seconded by CM Goede. All in favor. Motion
carried 5-0.
Minutes prepared by City Administrator, Adam Flaherty.
City of Otsego
_________________________________
Jessica Stockamp, Mayor
ATTEST: ___________________________
Audra Etzel, City Clerk