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OtsegoNewsletter_Winter2013NEWSLETTER • WINTER 2013/14 VIEW what you need to know for WINTER ICE SKATING at prairie park IN THIS ISSUE: Parks and Recreation Insert Advisory Committee Openings Snowmobiling Regulations Public Transportation Otseg o The Parks and Recreation Department is again this year providing an opportunity for outdoor ice skating for pleasure and sport. A 100 foot by 200 foot rink will be located at Prairie Park for pleasure skating and a hockey rink with boards will also be added this season. There is lighting for at the rinks to allow skating after sunset until 10:00 p.m. Benches are provided but there will be no staff and no warming house. The rinks are located at the corner of Nashua Avenue and 90th Street and parking is available. The ice rinks are anticipated to be ready for use on December 20 with a targeted end date of February 17, 2014 (weather permitting). The City of Otsego has adopted several regulations as part of the City Code to protect public safety and aid the Public Works Department in maintaining streets during winter that residents need to be aware of, which include: – 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. – 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, sidewalk or trail or pushed across a public street and deposited on the boulevard or ditch. – 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. The City will step up enforcement of this regulation this winter to include issuance of citations and contracted snow removal assessed to the property owner. – Property owners are responsible for clearing snow from around fire hydrants and mailboxes. Mailboxes can be especially vulnerable to damage from snow removal operations and the City assumes liability for mailboxes damaged during plowing only if it is determined that the plow made direct contact with a mailbox that was properly placed in accordance with City standards. – The City is not responsible for damage to plantings other than grass within the boulevard portion of the yards. The boulevard is the area within the public right-of-way that is approximately 16 feet behind the curb along local urban streets (or between the curb and sidewalk), 10 feet behind the curb for cul-de-sacs and that part of the ditch approximately 18 from the edge of pavement or gravel of local rural streets. Motorists are also urged to use caution during winter weather conditions and be aware of possible City, County and MN/DoT snow plowing operations. Slow down and stay behind the snowplows. Drivers should allow at least five car lengths between their vehicles and snowplows. The street behind the plow will be the safest place to drive: Stay back stay alive. The Otsego City Code is available for review on the City’s website at www.ci.otsego.mn.us. If you have any question regarding this information, please do not hesitate to contact City Hall at 763.441.4414. Your cooperation in following these rules this winter season is greatly appreciated to ensure the safety of Otsego residents and motorists within the community. Notes from the Mayor Greetings Neighbors! Public transportation is available to Otsego Residents via the RiverRider bus service operated through a Joint Powers Board between Wright County and Sherburne County. In addition to Otsego, River Rider serves the Cities of Annandale, Buffalo, Cokato, Delano and Monticello in Wright County and the Cities of Becker, Big Lake, Elk River and St. Cloud in Sherburne County. The service receives funding from MNDoT to assist with the purchase of buses. RiverRider provides door-to-door transportation for any need with fares based on the destination point. All of the RiverRider and operations buses are wheel- chair accessible. To date, service has been limited to only the eastern portions of Otsego. The City Council together with officials from Albertville and St. Michael recently met staff from RiverRider and MnDot to discuss opportunities for expanded public transportation service within our communities. We are pleased to announce that the agreement that was reached will provide 10 hours of scheduled bus service two days per week beginning in 2014 for areas of western Otsego, Albertville, St. Michael and Hanover. A map of the service area is available on the City’s website. The expanded public transportation service will be funded 85 percent by State and Federal sources with the local share divided among the four cities on a per parcel basis, which is further reduced by subtracting the fair paid by riders (currently $1.25). Based on this formula, the maximum annual cost to Otsego for the expanded public transportation service would be $830. The City Council unanimously supports this agreement as a means of brining needed services to Otsego residents in a cost effective manner. There will be a public meeting on Thursday, December 19 from 9:00–11:00 a.m. at Prairie Center to provide additional information regarding RiverRider services available in Otsego. The City Council encourages you to attend to learn about the expanded public transportation services and address any questions you may have. For more information regarding RiverRider services and costs call 763.263.0101 or toll free 800.821.9719. Otsego Volunteers The Otsego Lions Club was chartered in March 2013 and has been busy getting the Club organized and involved in the community. The Otsego Lions are interested in expand their outreach with volunteer projects in the community and looking to assist residents. If you or someone you know could use assistance with household chores, snow shoveling, lawn care, repairs or other needs, the Otsego Lions are ready to serve. You may contact the City Planner at 763.441.4414 to be put in touch with the Otsego Lions. New members are also always welcome! ADVISORY COMMISSION OPENINGS Residents interested in becoming involved in their community may consider applying for appointment to one of the City Council’s advisory committees. There are current openings on the Parks and Recreation Commission, Planning Commission, Police Commission and Heritage Preservation Commission. For more information or to receive an application please contact the City Clerk at 763.441.4414 or visit the City’s website. Prairie Center Renovations Remodeling and renovation of Prairie Center is well underway. The updates to the building, constructed in 1993, will include expanded meeting spaces and offices for the Parks and Recreation Department so as to be able to accommodate a wide range of community activities, including rental space for the public. The City Council Chambers will continue to be located at Prairie Center for regular meetings of the City Council, Planning Commission, and Parks and Recreation Commission. The Heritage Preservation Commission and Police Commission will also hold their regular meetings at Prairie Center. The project is scheduled to be complete by February 1, 2014. Albertville Reserve Firefighters Sought The Albertville Fire Department, which provides fire protection services for western areas of Otsego, is seeking applicants to add three reserve firefighters. If you are a motivated individual, physically fit, and over the age of 18, this may be the opportunity for you to serve your community and gain valuable training. Otsego residents who reside or workers employed by businesses in Otsego within the Albertville Fire District are eligible and encouraged to apply. A map of the Albertville Fire District, detailed eligibility requirements and an application form are available on the City’s website. Applications must be submitted by December 20, 2013. Snowmobiling continues to be an enjoyable, safe winter activity in Otsego due to the efforts of the Otsego River Riders, a local club having over 100 members with more members being added as the new season approaches. Otsego River Riders work together with the City and local land owners to answer questions or address concerns related snowmobiling in the community. The Otsego River Riders also maintain 17 miles of groomed trails within Otsego including posting all directional and warning signs. Education about snowmobiling is also an important part of the Otsego River Riders activities. The Otsego River Riders annually host youth safety classes to teach about safe snowmobile operation as well as provide information about local and state laws. This year’s safety training classes will be December 5 and 7 at Prairie Center. Snowmobilers are responsible for informing themselves about local regulations for snowmobiling including areas of Otsego where snowmobiling is allowed. Times and registration information regarding the safety training class is available on the Parks and Recreation Department page on the City’s website. A summary of Otsego’s City Code regulating snowmobiling follows: – Persons under 14 years of age may ride on City streets only when accompanied by an adult. Minors age 14 years but under 18 years of age may ride on City streets with a valid snowmobile certificate in their possession. – Snowmobiles are prohibited from riding upon public sidewalks and paved trails or within City parks or other properties. – On City streets with curb, snowmobiles must be ridden on the street, single file in the direction of traffic as close as practical to the curb; where no curb exists, snowmobiles may ride off of the paved surface but not more than six feet from the edge of the pavement. – Snowmobiles may only be operated in the City between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. – The City has designated residential areas where snowmobiling upon City streets is prohibited except to go to/from your property to a designated trail. Snowmobiles may not exceed 10 MPH within these designated residential areas. A map of the designated areas is available on the City website or from the Otsego River Riders. – Information statewide snowmobile trails and regulations can be found at http://www.dnr.state. mn.us/snowmobiling/index.html. – If you have any concerns about snowmobiling in Otsego please do not hesitate to contact City Hall or Otsego River Riders President Pat Hilden at 763.274.0229. The City Council greatly appreciates the efforts of the Otsego River Riders and would encourage snowmobilers in the community to support them. Information regarding the Otsego River Riders is available at their website at www.otsegoriverriders.com. The City Council also appreciates that all snowmobilers in the community be safe and respectful of their neighbors while enjoying their rides. SN O W M O B I L I N G IN O T S E G O REPORT STREET LIGHTS OUT With the end of Daylight Savings Time, more people notice when a street light is not working. If you observe a street light not working, please contact City Hall by calling 763.441.4414 to report it. City staff will contact the appropriate utility to have the street light repaired to ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians. BUDGET AND TAX LEVY MEETING The City Council will hold an information meeting at 7:00 p.m. on December 9, 2013 at Prairie Center to review the proposed 2014 City budget and property tax levy. The public is invited to attend the information meeting to offer comments and/or ask questions. 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: Monday–Thursday 8 a.m. – 5 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 * Information listed herein as being available on the City website will also be mailed upon request by calling City Hall.