Item 3.2.A. 2025.12.08 City Council MinutesPage 1 of 7
OTSEGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2025
7:00 PM
OTSEGO PRAIRIE CENTER
Call to Order:
Mayor Stockamp called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Roll Call:
Mayor Jessica Stockamp and Councilmembers: Ryan Dunlap, Tina Goede, Michelle Lund, and
Corey Tanner. City Staff: City Administrator/Finance Director Adam Flaherty, Assistant City
Administrator/Human Resources Sabrina Hille, Interim Fire Chief Mike Scott, City Planner Dan
Licht, City Engineer Ron Wagner, City Attorney Dave Kendall, and City Clerk Audra Etzel.
Pledge of Allegiance:
Mayor Stockamp led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
1.Open Forum:
Mayor Stockamp opened the Open Forum at 7:01 PM.
David Swaab, 16135 71st Lane NE shared photos of the fire at his complex on July 17, 2023,
causing $1.35 million in damages; the fire was so savage it went through the fire barriers. Mr.
Swaab said reducing the response time by 5 to 10 minutes may have saved a few of the units ;
their Homeowner’s Association fees have since increased due to the cost of insurance for fire
coverage. Mr. Swaab said his 2026 property tax increased by $142; he felt the $70 City portion
was a fair increase. Mr. Swabb noted Otsego has grown 257% since 2000, and he questions
why Otsego does not have a fire department, the City needs to look forward not backwards.
Nathan Anderson, 16780 65th Street NE had a house fire on May 19, 2024, and their home was
a total loss. Mr. Anderson said they rebuilt and returned to their property in May of 2025 to
find R&L Trucking had been built. Mr. Anderson provided a handout and filed a complaint due
to lighting and noise generated by R&L Trucking; he would like his concerns addressed.
Kathy Coles, 15613 90th Street NE provided an updated photo of Coborns showing they have
not completed the screening, and a bobcat is now being stored outside.
Mary Barthelemy, 7589 Odell Lane NE had three points regarding the Truth -in-Taxation
meeting: COLA percentage and step increases, EDA funding fire station - communications to
the residents, and future project expenses; she would like residents to have more input and
better communication.
Gabe Davis, 6689 Packard Ave NE has concerns regarding the proposed fee increases, he wants
to hear updates from Interim Fire Chief before approving pay requests and asked about a public
forum to discuss the fire department.
Item 3.2.A.
MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 8, 2025
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Mark Rosen, 8863 Kahl Way NE, has concerns with fire department response times on the west
end of the City and the 2027 fire department contracts.
Mike Riley, Jandel Avenue NE shared his 50 years of experience in public safety and this is the
first city he has lived in without a Fire Department; he supports the Fire Department. Mr. Riley
discussed his experience with Mutual Aid, and he has no doubt surrounding communities will
assist; no one can predict if there will be multiple calls to a department.
Isabel Grimm provided no address reminded the community the residents did not get to vote
for the Fire Department and said the fire study was not followed.
Vincent Peterson, 14064 67th Circle NE has not changed his mind about the fire department
and questioned the candidate filing fee increase on the proposed fee schedule.
Mayor Stockamp closed the Open Forum at 7:35 PM.
2. Consider Agenda Approval:
CM Dunlap asked to have items 3.4 and 3.7 removed from the consent agenda for discussion,
adding items 6.1 and 5.1.E to the agenda, and moving the Interim Fire Chief update prior to the
budget and tax levy items.
CM Dunlap motioned to approve the agenda as amended, seconded by CM Lund. All in favor.
Motion carried 5-0.
3. Consent Agenda:
3.1 Approve Claims List.
3.2 Approve City Council Meeting Minutes.
A. November 24, 2025, Meeting.
B. November 24, 2025, Special Meeting.
C. December 2, 2025, Special Meeting.
3.3 Approve City Council Special Compensation for November 2025.
3.4 Approve Pay Application #12 for the Fire and Emergency Services Facility Project. Moved
to item 6.1.
3.5 Approve Pay Application #14 for the Wellhouse 4 Treatment Improvements Project.
3.6 Authorize Full-Time Employment Status – Utility Office Coordinator and
Communications Specialist.
3.7 Approve the Proposed 2026 Pay Plans. Moved to item 5.1.E.
3.8 Adopt Ordinance 2025-11 Amending the City Code Regarding Administrative Subdivision
Appeals.
3.9 Adopt Resolution 2025-63 Accepting Proposals and Awarding Contract – South Central
Water Treatment.
3.10 Adopt Resolution 2025-64 Approving a Revised Personnel Policy.
MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 8, 2025
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CM Dunlap motioned to approve the consent agenda as amended, seconded by CM Tanner.
All in favor. Motion carried 5-0.
4. Public Hearing:
4.1 Fee Schedule
A. Presentation of the Proposed 2026 Fee Schedule by City Administrator/Finance
Director.
B. Conduct Public Hearing.
C. Consider Ordinance 2025-12 Amending the City Code Regarding the 2026 Fee
Schedule.
City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty reviewed the staff report and presentation. City
Planner Licht said the City can only impose fees on new development that are authorized by
State Statute (stormwater, park dedication and utilities); the city cannot impose fees to offset
taxes with new development fees.
Mayor Stockamp opened the Public Hearing at 7:43 PM.
Vincent Peterson, 14064 67th Circle NE does not want the candidate filing fees increased, he
feels $5 is just fine.
Mayor Stockamp closed the Public Hearing at 7:44 PM.
CM Dunlap said the WAC fee is half of what the City could justify based on current
infrastructure needs, noting the City is undercharging. Flaherty said the study did outline the
justifiable fee for water is more than the proposed rate, however he noted that justifiable fee
was more than neighboring communities. CM Lund stated the proposed WAC charge is in line
with the Metropolitan Council rate.
CM Tanner motioned to adopt Ordinance 2025-12 amending the City Code establishing the
2026 fee schedule and approve publication in summary form, seconded by CM Goede. All in
favor. Motion carried 5-0.
7.1 Progress Report from Interim Fire Chief:
Interim Fire Chief Michael Scott provided an emergency services update, focusing on
relationships and communication with all public safety agencies serving the City. Fire Chief
Scott also reviewed a recent fire call and discussed some of the challenges with multiple
counties involved with dispatch.
Fire Chief Scott addressed the EMS services and having fire fighters as trained EMT’s getting on
scene tends to save lives; after 6-8 minutes brain death starts. The Wright County Sheriff’s time
could be spent doing their job while trained fire personnel can deal with medical calls.
MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 8, 2025
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Fire Chief Scott noted Otsego is the 46th largest city in the state and is continuing to grow.
Failure to continue the development and staffing will lead to a major failure; a human life
cannot be replaced.
Fire Chief Scott is meeting with the contracted Fire Departments on a regular basis, and all have
shown a willingness to help Otsego, and are not concerned with the 2027 contracts as they
understand the City is still looking for the best direction. Mutual Aid will still be provided by our
surrounding communities as Otsego will provide in return; the City is not losing seven stations
but adding one. Fire Chief Scott added the City will not burden the surrounding communities
with alarms.
Fire Chief Scott noted Fire Districts are a good thing and more efficient. Fire Chief Scott
explained the challenges of working with three different counties and addressed the different
levels of services and the complications created.
Fire Chief Scott said there is not a perfect solution to cover the NW corner, but having a staffed
station will decrease the response time.
Fire Chief Scott asked for two appointed elected officials to continue communication with the
surrounding communities along with Fire Chief Scott and City Administrator Flaherty.
CM Lund appreciated all the information provided.
CM Goede thanked Fire Chief Scott for moving the project forward and confirming the
contracted Fire Chiefs are on board to move the project forward.
CM Tanner noted a second fire study was done to address the residential growth.
Fire Chief Scott said a tour of the station will be done at a later date and he addressed the size
of the building noting that a building should be built for future growth and allowing other
emergency services to use the building. CM Tanner asked about the ISO rating. Fire Chief Scott
explained the ISO rating, residents will have some savings noting there will be more impact on
commercial buildings. Mayor Stockamp added previous fire studies showed Otsego’s need for
a fire station.
CM Dunlap said the citizens should have confidence in staff and he has concerns with the
previous Fire Chief’s work, addressing various issues; he appreciated the work that has been
completed. CM Dunlap said today is the date to continue service with Elk River. Fire Chief
Scott said the Elk River Fire Chief understands the contract needs a 365-day notice and the
contract does not automatically renew for a whole year. Fire Chief Scott will continue talks
with the contracted departments; staff does not want to rush a recommendation.
Mayor Stockamp asked about the liaison appointment. Fire Chief Scott would appreciate two
City Council members being appointed today.
MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 8, 2025
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Mayor Stockamp motioned to appoint CM Dunlap and Mayor Stockamp to work with the Fire
Chief and City Administrator regarding fire discussions, second CM Tanner All in favor.
Motion carried 5-0.
Fire Chief Scott will provide an update in early 2026.
CM Dunlap has concerns that the other cities may not have confidence in Otsego and read a
prepared resolution into record to continue the fire service agreements.
CM Dunlap motioned for the City Council to accept the motion read. The motion failed due
to lack of a second.
City Attorney Kendall agrees with Fire Chief Scotts assessment regarding the Elk River contract
not locking into a full year.
Mayor Stockamp felt the resolution was out of line. CM Dunlap said the council has been
inconsistent and this would send a message to the contracted departments. CM Tanner agrees
the resolution is out of line and undermining. When asked, Flaherty said staff received the
resolution just prior to the meeting.
5. Administration
5.1 2026 Budgets and Property Tax Levy.
A. Presentation by City Administrator/Finance Director.
B. Consider Resolution 2025-65 Adopting the 2026 Annual Operating Budgets.
C. Consider Resolution 2025-66 Setting the Final Property Tax Levy for Taxes
Payable 2026.
D. Consider Resolution 2025-67 Adopting the 2026-2035 Capital Improvement Plan.
E. Approve the Proposed 2026 Pay Plans.
City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty reviewed the staff report and presentation.
CM Tanner motioned to adopt Resolution 2025-65 Adopting the 2026 Annual Operating
Budgets, seconded by Goede. Voting in favor: Stockamp, Goede, Lund, and Tanner. Voting
against: Dunlap. Motion carried 4-1.
CM Tanner motioned to adopt Resolution 2025-66 Setting a Final Property Tax Levy for Taxes
Payable 2026, seconded by Lund.
CM Dunlap said the Council silenced the residents by using the EDA to move forward with the
fire station, noting the decisions were made behind closed doors and the public was shut out;
the City needs to be transparent and accountable.
Voting in favor: Stockamp, Goede, Lund, and Tanner. Voting against: Dunlap. Motion carried
4-1.
MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 8, 2025
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CM Tanner motioned to adopt Resolution 2025-67 Adopting the 2026-2035 Capital
Improvement Plan, seconded by Goede. Voting in favor: Stockamp, Goede, Lund, and
Tanner. Voting against: Dunlap. Motion carried 4-1.
Flaherty addressed the previous concern asked at open forum regarding capital improvements,
noting the funds being expensed and how each is funded. Mayor Stockamp said the capital
improvement plan lays out the plan and all the projects come back to City Council for approval.
CM Dunlap feels the COLA should be based on data, not an automatic raise. Mayor Stockamp
said several of the employees are at the top of their grade and only receive a COLA. CM Tanner
noted staff provided data on proposed COLAs with surrounding cities.
CM Tanner motioned to approve the Proposed 2026 Pay Plans, to be effective beginning
January 1, 2026, seconded by CM Lund. Voting in favor: Stockamp, Goede, Lund, and Tanner.
Voting against: Dunlap. Motion carried 4-1.
6.1 Approve Pay Application #12 for the Fire & Emergency Services Facility Project.
CM Dunlap opposes this action because the City receives services from the existing contract
providers at a price point that is cost-effective for the taxpayers.
CM Tanner motioned to approve Pay Application #12 in the amount of $1,018,591.35 for
work completed on the Fire & Emergency Service Facility project, seconded by CM Goede.
Voting in favor: Stockamp, Goede, Lund, and Tanner. Voting against: Dunlap. Motion carried
4-1.
6. City Council Reports and Updates:
Mayor Stockamp said the Santa Day event is this Saturday, and she thanked staff for clearing
the roads after the recent snow event.
CM Tanner said Heritage Preservation Commission is cancelled this month.
7.2 Consider Cancellation of a Regular City Council Meeting:
Flaherty asked the City Council if they would like to cancel the scheduled December 22nd
meeting.
CM Tanner motioned to cancel the regular City Council meeting scheduled for December 22,
2025, seconded by CM Goede. All in favor. Motion carried 5-0.
Flaherty said ISD 728 has a survey and is looking for recommendations from residents in their
school district.
City Attorney Kendall and City Planner Licht wished everyone a happy holiday.
MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 8, 2025
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Sergeant Jason Oltmanns, Wright County Sheriff’s Office provided updates on snow emergency
parking violations, and the deputies are dealing with a lot of emotional calls.
8. Adjourn.
CM Goede motioned to adjourn at 8:56 PM, seconded by CM Tanner. All in favor. Motion
carried 5-0.
Minutes prepared by Audra Etzel, City Clerk.
City of Otsego:
_________________________________
Jessica Stockamp, Mayor
ATTEST: ___________________________
Audra Etzel, City Clerk