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Otsego View_Spring2016NEWSLETTER • SPRING 2016 VIEW IN THIS ISSUE: Spring Clean Up Election Judges Fire Services Park Shelter Reservations Otseg o Irrigation Restrictions Beginning in 2016, irrigation restrictions will be in effect May 1 — September 30 for all Public Water System customers. Addresses ending with an odd number may water on odd numbered days and even numbered addresses may water on even numbered days between 5 p.m. and 11 a.m. Restrictions include no watering between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. A 30 day exception is provided for newly establishing lawns and landscaping. Please visit the City Website, www.ci.otsego.mn.us, for additional details. Your cooperation is appreciated; water conservation will keep water rates low and helps to ensure an adequate water supply is available. Watering during the heat of the day is wasteful as most of the water evaporates. Early morning is the best time to water as grass and plants will absorb more. Lawns are actually healthier when watered less frequently (1 to 1.5 inches per week is ideal). Soaker hoses or drip irrigation lines are the most efficient form of outdoor watering. SATURDAY, MARCH 19 EASTER EGG HUNT This free event is sponsored by the Otsego Parks and Recreation Commission. Kids are invited to hunt for Easter Eggs (replenished throughout the event) 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 Parks and Recreation at 763-235-3148. Saturday, March 19 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Prairie Park, 8899 Nashua Avenue (behind Prairie Center). SPRING PROPERTY MAINTENANCE Everyone is excited to get outside and spruce up their property after the long, cold winter. Here are some City Code regulations to follow to help keep Otsego an attractive and inviting place to live: Lawns and boulevard areas for residential and business properties must be mowed regularly so that grass is not longer than eight (8) inches except as allowed by the City Code. Noxious weeds defined by State statute must be eliminated before the plants go to seed. Planting within the boulevard or public right-of-way (generally 16 feet behind the curb or street) is limited to deciduous trees with minimum clearance requirements for vehicles and pedestrians. Note that the City is not responsible any damage to plants or trees within the boulevard or public right-of-way. For more information regarding specific property maintenance requirements, please contact City Hall or visit the City’s website. There is a property self-test on the Code Enforcement page of the website to help evaluate the condition of your property and your neighborhood. DID YOU KNOW? EMERGENCY SIRENS The City will be installing an additional outdoor emergency warning siren in south-central Otsego along the 70th Street corridor. The City located these new sirens in consideration of coverage areas for the existing sirens and those in adjacent cities to provide coverage to almost all of the residential areas within Otsego. The sirens are operated by Wright County and sounded in the event of severe weather or other public emergency. There are two additional sirens in the City operated by Xcel Energy with one located west of CSAH 19, north of 80th Street and the other at Lilly Pond Park. Outdoor emergency warning sirens are not intended to be audible within homes or businesses so people are encouraged to purchase a weather alert radio. ELECTION JUDGES NEEDED FOR 2016 VOTE Election judges are essential to our democracy by serving as officials at local polling places, administering election procedures, and ensure that the rights of voters are protected on Election Day. Serving as an election judge provides an opportunity to learn about the elections process and is a great service to our community. To be an election judge you must meet all of the following qualifications: You must be eligible to vote in Minnesota You must be able to read, write, and speak English You cannot be a spouse, parent, child, or sibling of any election judge serving in the same precinct at the same time You cannot be a candidate or the spouse, parent, child, or sibling of any candidate on the ballot in that precinct To be considered to be an election judge, please contact the City Clerk at City Hall or by calling 763.441.4414 to receive an application. All election appointments are made by the City Council at least 25 days before an election (or about three months before the primary). If appointed, you must attend training conducted by the County Auditor. Joint Powers Agreement for Fire Service to be Studied Otsego currently has fire contracts with the cities of Albertville, Elk River, and Rogers for fire service. The City works closely with each of the departments and values the service they provide. In March 2013, the first Albertville Otsego Joint Fire Services Committee meeting was held. The success of the relationship between the cities spurred discussion about how to strengthen the department and, ultimately, the service provided through this partnership. As a result, Otsego and Albertville are now exploring the possibility of entering into a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) for fire service in the future instead of the current contractual arrangement. The State Fire Marshal’s office awarded the two cities a $23,000 Shared Services Grant to study thoroughly all aspects of entering into a JPA. The study will be completed by June 30, 2016, after which the Albertville and Otsego City Councils will determine how to proceed. Ultimately, protecting the safety of residents and business owners will be of paramount importance in whatever decision is made. 1 2 3 4 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 days (plus State sales tax) for each three hour reservation period. To reserve the shelter at Prairie Park, visit the City website at www. ci.otsego.mn.us under the recreation tab for online reservations or call Parks and Recreation at 763-235-3148. Spring Clean Up & Recycling 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 Wednesday, May 4th and Friday, May 6th. 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 NE in Otsego between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday to Friday. The following is a list of items accepted and the cost for residents: Items not accepted include: paint, oil, antifreeze, yard waste, heavy truck/tractor tires and general garbage. Contact Metro Appliance Recycling at 763.241.8787 with questions. Residential Appliances: $10.00/each CRT Televisions/Monitors: $0.45/lbs. Electronics and computers: $0.35/lbs. Scrap metal: Free Stuffed chair/couch: $45.00/each Mattress/Boxspring: $25.00/each Wood furniture: $15.00/each Batteries: Free Light car/truck tires: $5.00/each Fluorescent bulbs: $1.00/each Cell phone: Free NEIGHBORHOOD SALES Below are some reminders for people planning to hold a garage sale or sell a personal vehicle or recreational equipment. The number of garage sales permitted on a single property is limited to two (2) within a calendar year. The duration of the sale cannot exceed four consecutive days. The merchandise offered for sale must be the personal property of the occupant of the home and may be displayed only on the improved driveway and not in the front yard, boulevard or public right-of-way. Signs are allowed only on private property and cannot be placed on utility poles or in the public right-of-way. Not more than two (2) personal vehicles and recreational vehicles, boats, trailers or equipment are allowed to be sold from a single property within a calendar year. The vehicle or recreational equipment must be the personal property of the occupant of the home. The vehicle or recreational equipment may only be displayed upon an improved driveway with a sign not to exceed two square feet in area. More information may be obtained by calling City Hall or reviewing the Zoning Ordinance on the City’s website. Building Permits Residents planning improvement projects should check with the Department of Building Safety about building permit requirements. The Department of Building Safety works with residents and business owners to ensure structure safety in accordance with Minnesota Building and Fire Codes, which requires building permits for roofing, siding, decks, and sheds. Permits are also required by the City for fences and swimming pools or any grading involving more than 50 cubic yards of material. For more information or to obtain a building permit, please call the Department of Building Safety at 763.441.2593. 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: 763-235-3148 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. 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 7 East of Nashua Ave.: April 11-15 West of Nashua Ave.: April 18-22 ASSESSING UPDATE The Wright County Assessors Office will be inspecting properties in the areas of Otsego south of I-94, west of CSAH 19 and north of CSAH 39 between O’Day Avenue and the west City boundary in 2016 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’S HISTORY The Otsego Heritage Preservation Commission has identified the subject of Native Americans who lived in the Otsego area in its early history, both pre-European settlement and after, as our focus for 2016. Any citizens of Otsego or surrounding areas who would like to join us in the study or recommend resources would be most welcome. The Heritage Preservation Commission meets on the second Tuesday of each month or please call contact City Hall to express your interest or for more information.