10-03-96 WSCity of Otsego Council Workshop
Sanitary Sewer and Water Services
October 3, 1996
7 P
Mayor Norman F. Freske called the Workshop to order at 7 PM.
Roll Call: Mayor Norman F. Freske; Councilmembers: Suzanne Ackerman, Larry
Fournier, Vern Heidner, Ron Black.
Staff: Larry Koshak, Kevin Kielb, City Engineers; Andrew MacArthur, City Attorney;
Bob Kirmis, City Assistant Planner; Elaine Beatty, City Clerk/Zoning Administrator;
Phyllis Cokley, Director of Business/Finance; Judy Hudson, Deputy Clerk.
Planning Commission Members: Carl Swenson, Richard Nichols
EDAAC Members: Liz Wilder, LeRoy Lindenfelser, Wally Odell
Heritage Commission Members: Arlene Holen, Frieda Lobeck
Parks Commission Members: None
Candidates: Mark Berning, Virginia Bistodeau-Wendel, Floyd Roden, Rick Savitski.
Larry Koshak, City Engineer, opened up the Workshop with explaining the purpose is to
discuss where the City has been and where it plans to go on the issue of Sanitary Sewer
and Water Service. They are here to talk about concepts and not details. He noted all
members of the City's commissions and the candidates were invited to attend.
Bob Kirmis, Planner, talked abut the Visioning Session the City held last year which had
two objectives:
1. Provide a forum for interaction between the Council and Advisory groups.
2. Identify, through brainstorming, the City's various problems, assets and
identify corrective measures which can be used to respond to concerns
and issues.
Mr. Kirmis went through the Visioning Session's summary of Problems/Issues and one of
them was the lack of Public Sanitary Sewer and Water. Assets - in connection with Sewer
and Water was the availability of land. The Visioning Session came up with corrective
measures to address their concerns and problems and one of them was to pursue City
Water and Sewer Service. The Visioning Session also addressed the top five (5) most
important work programs and the top one was Sewer and Water.
Mr. Koshak went over where the City has been since incorporation.
Sanitary Sewer issues since incorporation
-Sewer Study for original Comprehensive Plan
-Elk River Treatment Plant as a source of treatment
-Elementary School
-Darkenwald treatment Plant
-Riverwood Conference Center
Otsego City Council Workshop of October 3, 1996, cont'd. Page 2.
-Albertville Treatment Facility
-Bonestroo study for the three community committees
-Present status of individual treatment systems
Water issue since incorporation
-Well #1 at the Otsego Elementary School
-Water Studies
Bob Kirmis went over:
Comprehensive Plan
- Sewer Plan
- Urban, rural service district
- Land Use Plan
Zoning and Sub -division Ordinance
- Re -subdivision lands
- Zoning District
Larry Koshak addressed:
The Pro's & Cons of sanitary sewer and water services advantages
-Greater growth opportunity
-Increased tax base
-Efficient use of land
-Economical service delivery
-Variety of housing types
-Greater commercial and industrial development options
-Environmental issues (Health & Water quality)
Disadvantages:
-Higher service level required
-Undesirable density (Suburban lots)
-Increase land cost
-Higher density causes increased service demand
-Increase growth rates
Comments from the City Council and Attendees:
Nancy Brunell: Increase of homes and high assessments would be disadvantage and
people would not recoup their costs from their property.
Arlene Holen: Questioned the length of the assessment.
Virginia Wendel: Wanted this issue to go to the residents to vote on.
Otsego City Council Workshop of October 3, 1996, cont'd. Page 3.
Mr. Koshak explained that the intent of Phase I is to serve undeveloped land and not
existing homes. This workshop is for the purpose to discuss the initial stages and seeing if
the community needs this. The Public Meeting on November 13 will bring in the
landowners along 101 to get their input and opinions. There are parts of Otsego that
won't get Sewer and Water and won't have to pay for it.
Mr. Koshak went over the necessary City Council Decisions:
-General commitment to municipal water and sewer service concept
-Darkenwald treatment facility integration
-Does the city continue working with Dayton?
-Is St. Michael in the study?
-Adoption of the Bonestroo Report
Comments from the City Council and attendees:
Virginia Wendel asked what costs has the City incurred up to this date for the study.
Mr. Koshak stated he did not have the costs with him but the three communities paid for
the Bonestroo Report.
CM Fournier explained this Service Area is for undevelopment land along 101 and for
residential around the Elementary School. Service area is for new development and the
existing residents of Otsego will not pay for it. He further stated if he hears the
landowners won't support this then the project would not be a "go". This is the first
meeting of several more to come.
Mr. Koshak went over what tasks need to be done to implement the Sewer and Water
Project:
-Comp Plan revision (land use plan)
-Facility Plan for Wastewater treatment
-Comprehensive Collection System Sewer study
-Comprehensive Water System Study
-Financial Consultant review an advise
-Public Hearing and Meetings
Further Discussion and Summary
There was discussion regarding if there will be any required hookups in Phase I for
existing residential, draft acceptance of the Plan, storm sewer impact fees, Bonestro's Part,
Financial direction, landowners input, grants, sharing services with other communities,
Metro Council, Frankfort's past involvement and area involved,
St. Michael's involvement, when does Phase II start, bonding issues and interest payments,
flood plain issues, present and future municipal wells, land applied sludge, current
ordinances, November 13 Public Information Meeting, industrial and commercial growth.
Otsego City Council Workshop of October 3, 1996, cont'd. Page 4.
Other Council Business
CM Black motioned to adopt the Amendment to Resolution 96-22 Appointing
additional Election Judges for the General Election. Seconded by CM Ackerman.
All in favor. Motion carried.
CM Fournier motioned to adjourn. Seconded by CM Ackerman. All in favor.
Motion carried.
Workshop adjourned at 8:56 PM.
Mayor Norman F. Freske
Attest: Elaine Beatty, City Clerk/Zoning Administrator
Recorded by: Judy Hudson, Deputy Clerk