Item 3.1 4-8-2025 OHPC Draft Meeting MinutesOTSEGO HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
MEETING
Lily Pond Conference Room at City Hall
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
6:57 PM
Call to Order.
This meeting was called to order at 6:57 PM.
Roll Call: Chair: Tami Stinski, Commissioners, Kelly Kiffmeyer, Brooke Nault, and Toni
Seroshek.
City Council: Councilmember Tanner and Councilmember Dunlap.
Absent: Jim Penick
1.Consider Agenda Approval:
Commissioner Seroshek motioned to approve the agenda as written with two additions,
seconded by Commissioner Kiffmeyer. All in favor. Motion carried 4-0.
2.Consider the following minutes:
2.1 March 11, 2025.
Commissioner Seroshek motioned to approve the minutes as written, seconded by
Commissioner Seroshek. All in favor. Motion carried 4-0.
3.New ideas
3.1 Carrick’s Landing
Commission Seroshek discussed her disappointment with the new park sign placement,
which currently is on the wall of the shelter/garbage site and is not visible when walking
the loop. Seroshek contacted Parks and Recreation Director Jacobs about the sign
placement and he is looking into a new placement of the sign.
3.2 Interview Paperwork
Commissioner Seroshek passed around the criteria that is needed when getting interviews
from members of the community. This documentation is also found on the laptop. The
commissioners touched on revisiting the language in the document in the future.
Item 3.1
3.3 Cemetery Tour
Commissioner Kiffmeyer and Nault shared a spreadsheet of the gravesites based on
research from the cemetery book and find a grave website. The next step will be to look
into the stories/info on the gravesites and start filling in the spreadsheet. Commissioner
Nault requested the spreadsheet be updated to a Google form so both Commissioners
can work on the project and to see progress.
3.4 Old City Hall
Commissioner Stinski mentioned numerous people have been talking about wanting to
save/preserve the old City Hall. She and Commissioner Seroshek will take lead on talking
with City Clerk Etzel and City Planner Licht to find out the city’s thoughts. Commissioner
Seroshek mentioned there is not a written history on the old City Hall building and
suggested inviting Mr. Licht to a future meeting to discuss this further. She believes there
is an interesting story on the evolution of the property.
3.5 Time Capsule
Commissioner Nault looked into time capsule costs and found a cylindrical shaped
stainless-steel waterproof ‘time capsule’ containment unit for $88 on Amazon. Council
member Tanner mentioned that there was a lot of support behind this idea from City
Council. Commissioner Nault will reach out to Hassan Elementary school about having
the first graders write a letter to the future. Council member Tanner will discuss having a
social media/Facebook post created to engage the community with the social media
staff. Commissioners discussed also posing a question for residents in the View on what
they’d like to see in the time capsule. Commissioner Nault will reach out to Heidi Carey,
to get the schedule/deadline for submissions to The View newsletter. Commissioner
Seroshek mentioned a photograph of the old McDonald house from 1850s may be of
interest to include along with some of the artifacts that are currently located in a blue
bin in storage. Commissioner Seroshek also noted the city website has a list of artifacts
that the OHPC has in storage.
3.6 1914 Barn
Commissioner Penick is taking the lead on this. Council member Tanner noted the City
does not own a drone.
3.7 Old City Maps
Commissioner Stinski asked if there was any further interest in pursuing the history of
Otsego development through the years including prior to 1970s, 1970s - 1996, 1996-
2011 and after 2012. Google Maps does not date further back than 1990. Commissioner
Seroshek mentioned the land swap and per the Frankfort Park sign, a portion of
Frankfort Township east of TH 101 was annexed to the City of Otsego in 1994.
3.8 Prairie Festival / 35 Years celebration
Commissioner Stinski asked what has worked in the past to bring the most engagement
to the OHPC booth? Commissioner Seroshek responded that the photos of the flood
brought the most engagement from community members; as well as pictures were taken
of residents in front of the Otsego landmarks drawing. Focusing on the time capsule
should bring in more engagement as well. Commissioner Kiffmeyer thought adding
notecards for people to write in their suggestions at the festival would be a great way to
get the community involved.
3.9 AI Transcription / Proofing
Commissioner Seroshek will revisit this for the next meeting.
4.0 May Meeting Date Change
Commissioner Nault requested the date move up a week as she will be out of town the
second week of May. This will not work for Commissioner Kiffmeyer. Commissioner
Stinski will investigate whether May 20th will work and let everyone know.
5.0 Updates on City Council Actions
Council member Tanner updated everyone on Costco and the fire department, along
with various ribbon cutting ceremonies, and the easter egg hunt. Council member
Tanner said water quality is also being looked into and addressed.
6.0 Adjourn
Commissioner Seroshek motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:36 PM, seconded by
Commissioner Kiffmeyer. All in favor. Motion carried 4-0.
Minutes prepared by Commissioner Nault.