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.
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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.