ITEM 3.2A 8.10.2015 MinutesITEM 3_2A
OTSEGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OTSEGO PRAIRIE CENTER
AUGUST 10, 2015
7:00 PM
Call to Order.
Mayor Jessica Stockamp called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Roll Call: Mayor Jessica Stockamp; Councilmembers: Vern Heidner and Doug Schroeder.
Absent: Councilmembers Jason Warehime and Tom Darkenwald. CM Darkenwald arrived at
7:13 PM.
Staff: Lori Johnson, City Administrator; Daniel Licht, City Planner; Ron Wagner, City Engineer;
Andy MacArthur, City Attorney; and Tami Loff, City Clerk.
Pledge of Allegiance: Mayor Stockamp led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
1. Open Forum.
Cara Husak, 6179 Packard Avenue NE, said she is here tonight with a petition signed by 13
residents to reduce the speed limit on Packard Avenue back to 30 MPH. She feels the increase
recently to 55 MPH is a safety hazard. She said with the construction of 70th Street, Packard
Avenue is being used as a detour. City Engineer explained the street was originally signed in
error at 30 MPH and it did not meet the State Statute. He said there is a prevision that if a
traffic study is completed and approved by the Commissioner that the MPH could be lowered.
He said the estimate of that study is $5,000 and the results would take a few months. CM
Heidner asked for the Statute number. City Engineer Wagner said 169.11, Section 3. Mayor
Stockamp said the City is aware that even though Packard Avenue is not a designated detour
for the 70th Street Project it is being used as a detour. City Engineer said yes it was 175 cars
per day before the start of the 70th Street Project and now about 1,300 per day. City Engineer
Wagner said a traffic study could be done after the construction/detour is completed. Ms. Husak
said she feels this will discourage new residents to move into this rural area with the MPH at 55.
CM Darkenwald arrived at this time 7:13 PM.
CM Darkenwald said his uncle lives on this road and he thought 30 MPH was perfect and said
he feels 55 MPH is too high. He questioned if we could just leave the 30 MPH signage for now
through the construction. City Attorney MacArthur explained it does not meet Statute.
Ann Bentz, 6699 Packard Avenue NE, said the Mayor and City came out and met with her on
Friday regarding this and she agrees it's just getting through the construction period. She
stated her concern with not having "no passing" signs. City Engineer Wagner said City staff is
looking into the requirements and if it would meet State Statute. He said a double strip could be
done for around $2,000.
City Engineer Wagner suggested the city place the speed wagon on the road without the speed
limit and then again once the construction of 70th Street is completed and then review
internally. The City Council concurred. CM Heidner said the city cannot promise at this time to
pay for a traffic study; we will need to evaluate once the city study is completed. If we approve
this study then others will be in requesting one. City Administrator agreed saying in October
once the city study is complete it can be brought back for discussion.
Ms. Husak asked if there is anything else the city can do until then. City Engineer Wagner said
could narrow the lanes to 11 foot lanes and a fog line he said the estimated cost would be
around $5,000. Mayor Stockamp said we could ask the SherrifF's Department to monitor during
the busy times of the day. City Administrator Johnson suggested some additional signage for
detour to encourage drivers to driver slowly. City Engineer Wagner said he will have to look at
see what there is.
City Engineer Wagner and Street Operations Manager Lamson apologized to the residents
stating it was just an error that the speed wagon was place on the road with the 55 MPH. He
said his intention was no signage.
The City Council concurred for an internal study with the City speed wagon in October after
construction those results will be posted on the project page of the City website.
2. Consider agenda approval.
City Administrator Johnson requested to add Item 4.2. 70th Street Update and move Item 3.7
to Item 4.3.
CM Heidner motioned to approve as amended. Seconded by CM Schroeder. All in
favor. Motion carried.
3. Consent Agenda. (Non -controversial items).
3.1 Approve Claims List.
3.2 Approve City Council Meeting Minutes.
A. July 13, 2015 Meeting.
B. July 27, 2015 Meeting.
C. July 27, 2015 Special Meeting.
3.3 Received Commission Meeting Minutes.
A. Parks & Recreation June 16, 2015.
3.4 Approve adjusting the park hours at Prairie Park for Troop 13951's Sleep in the Park
Event.
3.5 Pay Estimates/Requests:
A Approve Final Pay Request #1 for Quilley Avenue Culvert Replacement to Dave
Perkins Contracting of Nowthen in the amount of $30,872.00.
3.6 Approve hire of Finance Director.
3.7 Approve hire of the Maintenance I and Maintenance II Positions. -REMOVED
CM Heidner motioned to approve with removal of Item 3.7. Seconded by CM
Schroeder. All in favor. Motion carried.
4. Public Works.
4.1 Soil Borings Quotes for 85th Street Improvement Project.
City Engineer Wagner presented.
CM Heidner motioned to accept proposals and award a contract to the preliminary
geotechnical exploration testing along the 85th Street NE Improvement Project to
Northern Technologies Inc. in the amount of $4,240.00. Seconded by CM
Darkenwald. All in favor. Motion carried.
4.2 70th Street Update.
City Engineer Wagner said this is for informational purpose only. He said at the next City
Council meeting he will need to bring a change order in the amount of $270,000 which is half
2
County portion and half City. He stated it is due to the unsuitable soils that have had to be
excavated along 70th Street. He further stated the good news is we are $500,000 under the
estimate and we are expecting possibly an additional $700,000 in Federal Aid for the 70t" Street
Project.
4.3 Approve hire of the Maintenance I and Maintenance II Positions.
City Administrator Johnson said she is recommending the motioned is approved but there is a
possibility the Maintenance II candidate may not accept due to pay and PTO. She further stated
there is possibly of a number two candidate but would like approval to advertise yet this week if
needed.
CM Schroeder motioned to approve the hiring of Christopher Vogel at pay grade 9,
step 6, Maintenance II and Miguel Santamaria at pay grade 6, step 1 Street
Maintenance I and consent to advertise the Maintenance II position if the applicant
declines the position. Seconded by CM Heidner. All in favor. Motion carried.
5. City Council Reports and Updates.
Mayor Stockamp gave a reminder that Sheriff Hagerty will be attending the Public Safety
Commission meeting tomorrow night. City Administrator Johnson said Sheriff Hagerty will be
attending the August 24th budget meeting.
Mayor Stockamp thanked City Engineer Wagner and Street Operations Manager Lamson for
meeting with her and the property owners along Packard Avenue regarding the speed limit.
6. Staff Reports and Updates.
City Administrator Johnson said the budget info was passed out to the City Council this evening
and she also welcomed Finance Director Adam Flaherty who will be starting on August 19.
City Clerk Loff gave a follow up on the Rockwoods Jamfest licensing. She stated that she
confirmed with the state that a caterers license was needed for liquor at their event and that
Rockwoods has obtained that license through the state and are all set for Friday.
7. Adjourn.
CM Darkenwald motioned to adjourn. Seconded by CM Schroeder. All in
favor. Motion carried. Adjourned at 7:57 PM.
Mayor Jessica Stockamp
ATTEST:
Tami Loff, City Clerk