OtsegoNewsletter_Spring2013Otsego Facts
NEWSlETTEr • SpriNg 2013
VieW
There were 142 building permits issued for new residential dwellings in Otsego
in 2012, a 145 percent increase over 2011 indicating improving economic
conditions as community growth continues.
in tHis issue:
Spring Clean Up
Assessing Updates
Winter reminders
pride in our parks and
Adopt-a-Street
Otseg o
The annual easter egg Hunt is planned for saturday, march 23
from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Prairie Park, 8899 nashua avenue (behind
Prairie Center). This free event is sponsored by the Otsego parks and
recreation Commission. Kids are invited to hunt for hidden Easter Eggs
as well as visit with the Easter Bunny. A bike giveaway, face painting,
stickers and tattoos are also planned. For more information,
visit the City’s website or call City Hall.
SaTURday, maRch 23
Save the date!
sePtember 14, 2013
FirE saFEty uPdatE
Otsego contracts with established fire departments to provide fire protection services
to the community. Albertville, Elk River and Rogers Fire Departments each serve a
designated area of Otsego (a map of which is available on the City’s website).
Contracting for services has been the most cost effective way for the City to obtain
comprehensive fire protection in the community. With continued growth and development,
the City Council recognizes the need plan for expanded services and to reduce response
times as part of its strategic planning goals. The City has identified sites as part of its
Comprehensive plan for future fire station locations and addresses the cost of a fire
department within the Capital improvement plan. Additionally, the most recent fire service
contract with the City of Albertville provides for establishment of a Joint Fire Advisory
Subcommittee consisting of City officials, City staff and Fire Department staff in part to
plan for future joint fire and emergency response services.
The Monticello Fire Department also served an area in northwestern Otsego but this area
has been incorporated as part of the Albertville service area as of January 1, 2013. The fire
services provided by the three departments serving Otsego is strengthened by in place
mutual aid agreements by which area fire departments will provide assistance in the event
of multiple fire calls.
address display
To aid fire, police and medical
responders, residents are reminded
that all properties in the City are
required by the City Code to display
address numbers on the principal
building. Address numbers must
be at least four inches high and be a
contrasting or preferably reflective
material and color.
spring clean up
The City will again partner with
Metro Appliance recycling to provide
residents an opportunity to do some
spring cleaning of their yard and home
with Clean up Week between monday,
may 6 and friday, may 10. Clean Up
Week with Metro Appliance recycling
offers City residents discounted rates
for disposal of unwanted goods for
recycling that cannot be handled in
the regular trash. people will need to
present identification to verify residency
and drop items off at metro appliance
recycling at 16403 60th street in
otsego between the hours of 9 a.m.
to 5 p.m. on monday-thursday and
9 a.m. to noon on friday.
WiNTEr
rEMiNDErS
1. There is no parking on any
public street between 2:00
a.m. and 6:00 a.m. between
november 1 and april 30.
Vehicles parked on public
streets during these hours
are subject to immediate
ticketing and/or towing.
2. 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.
3. Snow from private property
may not be pushed across
or deposited on the traveled
portion of any public street,
sidewalk or trail.
4. property owners are
responsible for removal of
snow, ice and other debris
from concrete sidewalks
adjacent to their property
within 12 hours after the
snowfall has stopped.
5. Drivers need to slow down
and stay behind the snow-
plows. Drivers should allow at
least five car lengths between
their vehicles and snowplows
keeping the mirrors of the
snowplow in view.
the following is a list of items
accepted and the cost for residents:
residential appliances: $10.00/each
Crt televisions/monitors: $0.30/lbs.
electronics and computers: $0.25/lbs.
scrap metal: Free
stuffed chair/couch: $15.00/each
Wood furniture: $5.00/each
batteries: Free
light car/truck tires: $5.00/each
tractor/heavy truck tires: $25.00/each
fluorescent bulbs: $0.60/each
Cell phone: Free
items not accepted include: paint, oil,
antifreeze, gas ammonia refrigerators,
yard waste and general garbage.
Assessing Update
The Wright County Assessors Office will be inspecting properties in the area of
Otsego between 85th Street, CSAH 42, CSAH 39 and Nashua Avenue in 2013 to
evaluate the estimated market value and tax classification of each property as
required Minnesota State Statutes. The Assessors’ determination of market value
represents a reasonable estimate of what your property may sell for based on market
conditions and information relating to your specific property. The estimated market
value is the basis for calculating property taxes. More information is available about
the property assessment process on the Assessors page at the Wright County
website: www.co.wright.mn.us or by calling 763.682.7367.
otsego toWn Hall reuse ideas sougHt
The Heritage preservation Commission is soliciting ideas from the community
for reuse and financing to repurpose the Otsego Town Hall/District 10 school
house building located at the intersection of Nashua Avenue and CSAH 39.
The building is the only significant public historical site within the City within the
area that was the original Otsego townsite established in the 1850s. The building
was also prominent in the lives of many, many
children and adults in Otsego.
Anyone who has ideas as to the potential reuse
of the building that would allow for rehabilitation
and ensure its long-term viability are encouraged
to contact Heritage preservation Commissioners
Toni Seroshek or gail Anderson at 763 295 5426.
Greetings Neighbors!
sHelter
reserVations
The shelter at Prairie
Park may be reserved by
families, organizations
or other groups during
the weekends throughout
the summer. The shelter
has picnic tables, charcoal
grills and electric service
available.
Three hour reservation
periods are available each
day of the week. There is
a fee to reserve the shelter
of $10.00 for weekdays
and $20.00 for weekend
(plus State sales tax)
for each three hour
reservation period.
The City Council wanted to provide an
update regarding the City’s on-going efforts
to eliminate the property tax burden to
Otsego property owners related to the
New River Medical Center.
The New River Medical Center operates as
a public Hospital District formed in 1961 to
include the City of Monticello, City of Big
Lake, Becker Township, Big Lake Township,
Monticello Township, Silver Creek Township
and Otsego Township and exists as a separate
government entity. The Hospital District is
governed by an eight member Board of Directors
with one representative from each community
and one member elected at large.
The Hospital District has authority to issue
bonds and to levy property taxes for the
operation and development of the hospital.
The Board of Directors in 2009 adopted a
five-year plan to eliminate the property tax levy
by 2014. However, the ability to levy a property
tax remains until such time as Otsego is either
detached from the Hospital District or the
Hospital District itself is dissolved.
In 2008, the City Council petitioned the
Board of Directors to detach Otsego from
the Hospital District on the basis that the
taxes levied on Otsego property owners were
excessive related the extent to which Hospital
District records showed Otsego residents used
the facility. The Board of Directors denied the
City’s petition and their decision was upheld in
an appeal by the City to the Minnesota Court
of Appeals. The City has reserved its rights
to resubmit its petition to detach at any time
and has appointed a subcommittee of myself,
Council Member Doug Schroeder and City
staff to address Hospital District related issues.
The Hospital District also started an
investigation into forming an alliance with
a larger health system in order to ensure the
hospital remains viable and competitive in
the changing health care market. After an
education process followed by a series of public
meetings and interviews, the Board of Directors
selected CentraCare Health System of St.
Cloud as its alliance partner. CentraCare
has assumed day-to-day management of the
hospital and a committee made up two
Hospital District Directors and members of
the public negotiated a long-term lease of the
hospital facility that provides for:
• The lease transfers use of all hospital facilities
and existing financial assets to CentraCare
except those monies the Hospital District
is required to maintain as reserves for its
outstanding debt.
• CentraCare will pay rent to the Hospital
District equal to the Hospital District’s debt
payments and any expenses incurred by the
Hospital District.
• The Hospital District has the ability to repay
its outstanding bonds in advance in 2016
and the lease as two provisions related to
this date:
– CentraCare has an annual option starting
in 2016 to purchase the hospital by paying
the Hospital District the amount of the
outstanding debt plus $2 Million Dollars.
The $2 Million dollars is required to be
used for health care purposes within the
Hospital District.
– The Hospital District has the option to
require CentraCare to purchase the hospital
under the same terms starting in 2020.
• The lease agreement prohibits use of property
tax funds or the issuance of additional bonds
by the Hospital District for the operation of
the hospital.
The Board of Directors voted at their meeting
on February 14, 2013 to approve the lease
agreement. The lease agreement is in effect a
sale agreement that will more than likely result
in the transfer of the hospital facility to Centra
Care and disolvement of the Hospital District
sometime between 2016 and 2020. Although
the City desired to see a maximum return to
the taxpayers of the Hospital District for the
value of the hospital facility and its assets, the
lease agreement will provide for the elimination
of the property tax levy in 2014.
No
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City Hall hours will change on April 1 to
monday – thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
and friday: 8:00 a.m. to noon.
The change is made possible by the availability of
information on the City website and the ability to pay
bills, obtain permits, etc. electronically and will allow for
more efficient utilization of existing City staff resources.
City Hall Hours
PRSRTD STDU.S. POSTAGEPAID
PERMIT NO. 1791
TWIN CITIES, MN
Time Dated Material
City Hall:
13400 90th Street NE
Otsego, MN 55330
PHone numbers
Main: 763-441-4414
Building Dept.: 763-441-2593
Utility Billing: 763-441-2310
Fax: 763-441-9163
reCreation info line:
763-235-3150
offiCe Hours: (Until March 29)
monday–thursday
8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
friday
8 a.m. – Noon
City CounCil:
Jessica Stockamp (Mayor)
Tom Darkenwald
Vern Heidner
Doug Schroeder
Jason Warehime
City Website
www.ci.otsego.mn.us
Hydrant
FlusHing
The Utility Operations Department
will be flushing fire hydrants throughout
the City in April. Flushing the hydrants
removes sediment and mineral build up
within the City’s water lines to maintain
water quality and also tests the system
for adequate flows. Note that the cap
may be left off of some hydrants after
the water is turned off to allow the
fixture to drain completely but City
staff will return to replace the cap.
The schedule for flushing is as follows:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
riverwood national: April 4
East Otsego: April 8-12
West Otsego: April 15-18
Help extend City resources through community volunteerism.
You may choose from a variety of volunteer opportunities and time
commitments, including one-day only special events, a short term
project or an ongoing position.
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, special projects and to help identify needed repairs
in our parks.
adopt-a-street is a partnership between volunteers and the City Public Works
Department whereby participants assist in picking up debris, planting and
maintaining boulevard vegetation, special projects and to make visual inspections
roadway areas to identify maintenance issues.
Pride in Our Park and Adopt-Street volunteers make a two year commitment
for activities. Otsego Public Works staff provides basic oversight, 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 programs
or other volunteer opportunities is available on the City’s website or by calling
City Hall.
OTSEGO VOLUNTEERS