ITEM 3.2E SCC 6.9.2015 MinutesITEM 3_2E
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
PRAIRIE CENTER
JUNE 91 2015
6:30 PM
Call to Order.
Mayor Jessica Stockamp called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.
Roll Call: Mayor Jessica Stockamp; Councilmembers: Vern Heidner, Doug Schroeder, Tom
Darkenwald and Jason Warehime. Public Safety Commissioners: Dana VanDenBerg, Jim
Breitbach, Paul Fields, Charles Schuss, Mark Driste and Tina Driste. Staff: Lori Johnson, City
Administrator; Daniel Licht, City Planner and Tami Loff, City Clerk.
1. Public Safety Police/Fire/Ambulance Updates.
Rogers Fire Chief, Brad Feist, gave an update. He stated the four house fire in Otsego in April
was caused by an LP gas heater.
Albertville Fire Chief, Eric Bullen, gave an update. He said they had four Otsego calls in May. He
also said the Otsego City Council approved a Resolution last night adopting the Wright County
Emergency Operations Plan (EOP).
CM Darkenwald asked how the EOP affects Rogers or Elk River. Elk River Deputy Fire Chief
Aaron Surrant said all departments would be working together side by side. Albertville Fire Chief
Bullen to send copy of the EOP to Rogers and Elk River Departments. There was discussion of
an Emergency Management table top.
Elk River Deputy Fire Chief, Aaron Surrant, gave an update. He discussed the recent accidents
in Otsego along CSAH 39. He gave an update on the firstnet program stating that ER
Department is a test pilot.
Ambulance update was given by Joe Libor and Scott Schmidt. Mr. Libor stated the 2014 end
year runs were the highest they ever had. Noting a 10% increase from the previous year.
2. Public Safety Commission Discussion.
Mayor Stockamp said the reason of the meeting is to have discussion on the commission's by-
laws, questions, concerns, goals etc. She stated the City Council has met in the past with other
Commissions and it's had a good outcome. City Planner Licht reviewed the Public Safety
Commission By -Laws. CM Heidner explained how the Police Commission was established.
Commissioner Fields said in the past quarterly meetings were discussed instead of meeting
monthly. He also said that originally it was supposed to be alternated at each meeting on which
emergency response representative attends; and now it's all that attend. CM Warehime said it
was originally set up that way and that they all like attending. There was discussion on how the
information provided by the emergency response representatives is passed on to the City
Council. It was noted that it currently is not being passed on to all City Council members.
Commissioner VanDenBerg stated they have not been getting as good of updates from Wright
County Sherriff as in the past. The Commission agreed that additional information from the
Sherriff's Department would be beneficial. The Commission discussed getting the reports from
the emergency response prior to the meeting and Commissioner M. Driste recommended the
reports include the response time.
Commissioner Fields and Commissioner VanDenBerg recommended going to quarterly
meetings. Commissioners M. Driste; T. Driste and Schauss would like to see it stay monthly.
Commissioner Breitbach said he doesn't mind meeting monthly as long as they are productive
and there are items on the agenda.
The Commissioners discussed a write up in the city newsletter regarding the commission and
also the open seat on the commission. There was discussion on how the commission could
educate residents; Otsego Prairie Festival and the Safety Camp and National Night out were
discussed.
Commissioner VanDenBerg said assigned PS Commissioners have always attended the City
Council meetings and questioned on if this is wanted by the City Council. The City Council
concurred it was a Commission decision on if they wanted to attend and appreciated they have
in the past.
After discussion is was concluded:
For now keep the meetings every month, Commissioners discussed the next meeting having
Brian Johnson from Wright County present to review the neighborhood watch program and also
the Commissioners will review ideas on ways to advise the City Council.
City Clerk to email the PS Commission packets to the Commissioners, City Council and
Administrator. This will include the reports from each department.
CM Warehime said he would suggest the City Council meet with service providers a least twice
a year.
3. Adjourn.
CM Darkenwald motioned to adjourn. Seconded by CM Warehime. All in favor.
Motion carried. Adjourned at 8:31 PM.
ATTEST:
Tami Loff, City Clerk
Mayor Jessica Stockamp