OtsegoNewsletter_Spring2011CITY OFOTSEGO
ON THE GREAT RIVER ROAD
IN THIS ISSUE:
2: Sewer System
3: Call for Otsego
Royalty Applicants
4: Easter Egg Hunt
The City Council adopted a
budget for 2011 of
$3.966 Million dollars.
The budget reflects a
continuation of existing
City service levels as
well as increased costs
for the Wright County
Sheriff’s Office and
investments for future
City streets, parks and
trails to maintain these
capital improvements
and avoid more costly
repairs long-term. Although
the City does not receive
any Local Government Aid, the
State’s budget issues have the City
anticipating a reduction in the repayment
of the Homestead Tax Credit in 2011, which
is also reflected in the 2011 Budget. The
City Council continues to be committed to
providing quality, efficient City services
for Otsego’s residents and businesses
recognizing that the current economic
conditions are a challenge for all.
The taxes paid for your property include
monies for the City, Wright County, School
Districts and Hospital District. Thus the
total amount of the property taxes state-
ment is affected by the budget decisions
of all four jurisdictions. While residential
properties continue to see a drop in property
value this year, commercial and industrial
properties also saw significant value
decreases that results in a shift of the tax
burden from commercial and industrial to
residential properties. The result is that
many homeowners whose values dropped
from the 2010 to 2011 assessment may see
a smaller than expected decrease or even
an increase in the amount of their property
tax bill.
NEWSLETTER – SPRING 2011
OtsegoVIEW
2011 CITY BUDGET
COMMUNITY SERVICES
11%
PUBLIC WORKS
43%
PUBLIC
SAFETY
23%
GENERAL
GOVERNMENT
23%
Pride in Our Parks and
Adopt-A-Street
The City encourages people of all ages, including
residents, community groups and businesses, to
help keep Otsego clean, safe and more attractive
through two community programs:
__________________________
Pride in Our Parks volunteers assist in
picking up debris, raking leaves, planting and
maintaining vegetation or other special projects
and help identify needed repairs in our parks.
__________________________
Adopt-A-Street is a partnership between
volunteers and the City Public Works Depart-
ment whereby participants assist in picking
up debris, planting and maintaining boulevard
vegetation or other special projects and make
visual inspections of roadway areas to identify
maintenance issues.
__________________________
Pride in Our Park and Adopt-A-Street volunteers
make a one year commitment for activities.
Otsego Public Works staff provides basic over-
sight, safety vests, tools and materials as may be
needed. The City also places a sign within the
park or at the approaches to the adopted street
crediting the individual, group or organization
for their efforts.
More information about Pride in Our Parks
and the Adopt-A-Street Program, including
possible projects, available parks or streets
and application forms, is available at the on
the City’s website or by calling City Hall.
•
Items that are causing
these blockages include
the following that may
come in packaging saying
they are “disposable”:
Cleaning Supplies
• Disposable floor
dusters/mops
(Swiffer pads),
toilet cleaners, etc.
• Disinfection wipes
• Shop towels
• Paper towels
Hygiene Products
• Dental floss
• Baby wipes
• Adult wipes
• Feminine products
• Prophylactics
Cooking Grease
ATTENTION Sanitary Sewer Customers:
The Utilities Department is experiencing on-going problems with clogs in the
municipal sanitary sewer system due to household items being flushed.
More than $50,000 was spent in 2010 for equipment and City staff to unclog
blockages in the sewer system due to items like these being flushed. And, unless
the City together with its sewer customers can stop the disposal of these house-
hold items to the sewer system, additional equipment will need to be installed.
The costs for equipment and/or staff time to address this problem are paid for
directly and only by funds generated by sewer fees. Continued expenditures
either to unclog blocked sewer lines and pumps or the purchase of additional
equipment will result in higher utility rates. The City has the ability to trace
disposal of these items to specific neighborhoods and could add a surcharge
to those areas where this issue occurs regularly.
This debris not only clogs the sewer system but may create a blockage in the
service line to your home causing sewage to back up into homes. The City is not
responsible for any damages within your home from a sewage backup caused by
a blockage within your individual service line.
Your cooperation to not dispose of these household items through the municipal
sanitary sewer system is greatly appreciated.
If you have any questions regarding this notice, please do not hesitate to contact
the operations staff in the Utilities Department at 763.428.9215
Otsego’s sanitary sewer system has two waste water treatment facilities with the
ability to treat 1.6 MILLION GALLONS OF WASTE PER
DAY collected through 68 MILES OF PIPE.
The water system has three water towers able to store 2.4 MILLION
GALLONS OF WATER distributed by 63 MILES OF PIPE.
The Public Works Department and City’s contracted Utilities Operator,
PeopleService, Inc, perform cleaning and maintenance on 20 percent of
the sewer and water pipes, inspect approximately 250 MANHOLES
and flush 712 HYDRANTS each year.
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!
Otsego Festival Royalty
The Otsego Festival Committee is seeking applicants to be
considered for Otsego Royalty for 2011-2012.
The Otsego Royalty include Little Mister and Little Miss Otsego (ages
7-9 years) and Junior Miss (age 10-13 years). Three candidates for each
category are being sought and candidates must be residents of the City
of Otsego. The new Otsego Royalty is crowned at the Otsego Festival
in September each year and then represent the Otsego community by
participating in City events, community outreach programs and parades
in nearby communities.
Parents interested in having their child participate in the Otsego Festival
Royalty program can contact Rose Cassady at 763.441.8769 or by
e-mail at ROSDAY@ msn.com after April 15 to receive an application
or with questions.
2011-2012
Greetings neighbors!
Winter continues and as it does, I want to
say thanks to the Public Works Department
for the many hours they have put in clearing
snow in Otsego this season. The Public Works
Department has logged many more hours
plowing snow so far this winter compared to
last and has included many weekend storms.
The City Council greatly appreciates all of their
efforts. The Public Works Department estab-
lishes procedures every fall for snow removal
operations and this year is using 10 trucks to
complete the job with additional equipment
used in cul-de-sacs, trails and parking lots at
City properties.
I had an opportunity to ride along with one
of the plow operators after a snowstorm to
see first-hand what a difficult job plowing
snow is – being aware of the road, the plow
and sand/salt mixture on the move as well
as surrounding traffic.
To ensure everyone’s safety and to make
snow removal operations go as quickly and
efficiently as possible, I wanted to provide
the following reminders:
• There is no parking on any public street between
2:00 AM and 6:00 AM between November 1 and
April 30. Vehicles parked on public streets during
these hours are subject to immediate ticketing
and/or towing.
• There is no parking on any public street after a
snowfall of 2.5 inches or more until after the street
has been plowed to its full width. Vehicles parked
on public streets during a snow emergency are
subject to immediate ticketing and/or towing.
• Snow from private property may not be deposited
on the traveled portion of any public street, side-
walk or trail.
• Property owners are responsible for removal of
snow, ice and other debris from concrete side-
walks adjacent to their property within 12 hours
after the snowfall has stopped.
• Drivers need to slow down and stay behind the
snowplows. Drivers should allow at least five car
lengths between their vehicles and snowplows
keeping the mirrors of the snowplow in view.
~Jessica Stockamp
Notes
from the
Mayor
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The annual Easter Egg Hunt
is planned for APRIL 9
from 11 AM TO 1 PM
at PRAIRIE PARK,
8899 Nashua Avenue (behind
City Hall). This free event is
sponsored by the Otsego Parks
and Recreation Commission.
Kids are invited to hunt for Easter
Eggs (which will be replenished
throughout the event) and visit with the
Easter Bunny – bring your own camera
for photos. For more information, visit
the City’s website or call City Hall.
www.ci.otsego.mn.us
FIRE HYDRANTS
With the amount of snow that has fallen
this winter it is important that residents and
businesses help to remove snow around fire
hydrants near your property.
The Public Works Department does not
remove snow from around fire hydrants as
part of snow plowing operations. Clearing
snow from around fire hydrants will
ensure that they are visible for fire
fighters and greatly speed response
time in case of an emergency.
This is an informal voluntary effort and
there is no need to notify City Hall.
Your efforts are greatly appreciated!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Hydrant Flush Schedule
The Utilities Department will also be
flushing the water system using fire
hydrants throughout City neighborhoods
based on the following schedule:
Riverwood National: April 14th
East Otsego: Week of April 18-22
West Otsego: Week of April 25-29
PUBLIC
SAFETY
23%
GENERAL
GOVERNMENT
23%