Item 3.2.A. 2026.02.09 City Council MinutesPage 1 of 4
OTSEGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2026
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: Tina Goede, Ryan Dunlap, Michelle Lund, and
Corey Tanner. City Staff: City Administrator/Finance Director Adam Flaherty, City Planner
Daniel Licht, Assistant City Attorney Richard Hansen, 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.
Gabe Davis shared a family members’ encounter with ICE that happened in another
community. Mr. Davis asked if City Council has been contacted by residents regarding ICE
incidents within the City. The City Council noted they have not received any communication
regarding ICE within Otsego.
Senator Eric Lucero provided a legislative preview for the session starting next week, noting this
is a bonding year. Senator Lucero provided updates on upcoming elections, fraud, access at the
Capitol, affordable housing, and HOA reform.
House Representative Walter Hudson provided updates regarding the upcoming elections,
family law proposals, unfunded mandates, and ICE. CM Tanner and CM Lund asked questions
on fraud and ensuring things are accomplished by the legislature.
Mayor Stockamp closed the Open Forum at 7:28 PM.
2.Consider Agenda Approval:
CM Dunlap motioned to approve the agenda as written, 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.January 26, 2026, Meeting.
3.3 Approve City Council Special Compensation for January 2026.
3.4 Approve Pay Application #16 for the Wellhouse 4 Treatment Improvements Project.
3.5 Adopt Resolution 2026-09 Releasing Securities for Boulder Pass Grading and Mineral
Extraction.
3.6 Approve a Grant Program Agreement – Polling Place Accessibility Grant.
Item 3.2.A.
MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 9, 2026
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3.7 Adopt Ordinance 2026-01 Amending Street Name Designations – Tanglewood &
Tanglewood 2nd Addition.
3.8 Adopt Resolution 2026-10 Accepting a Donation.
3.9 Approve Plans and Specifications and Order Advertisement for Bids – 2026 Microsurface
& Striping Project.
3.10 Approve Amendment No. 2 to Engineering Agreement – Wellhouse No. 4 Water
Treatment Plant.
CM Dunlap motioned to approve the consent agenda as written, seconded by CM Goede.
All in favor. Motion carried 5-0.
4. Public Safety:
4.1 Fire Department Staffing.
A. Presentation by Interim Fire Chief.
B. Consider Approval of a Job Description and Authorize Recruitment – Fire
Captain.
C. Consider Approval of a Job Description and Authorize Recruitment – Part-Time
Firefighters.
Interim Fire Chief Scott and Flaherty reviewed the staff reports and presentation.
CM Dunlap asked about the previously approved staffing plan, policy of responding to
neighboring cities, and hourly rate for training. Chief Scott was unaware of an approved policy
regarding responding to neighboring cities. Flaherty said operating policies have not been
formally approved at this time. Chief Scott said the pay rate would be based on the fire
fighter’s experience and could increase based on completion of training and certification.
CM Dunlap asked about delaying the hiring of the 3rd Captain. Chief Scott said the City runs the
risk of losing a good candidate, but this is to keep within budget.
Mayor Stockamp asked about training. Chief Scott addressed the training and testing, and
noted there is excitement within the community and surrounding area to join the Otsego Fire
Department; he anticipates some members coming with training and those members could be
hired closer to operations.
Mayor Stockamp asked about the job description minimum requirement of needing to live
within so many miles of the approved response time of the fire station. Chief Scott said staff
will review before posting if approved.
Mayor Stockamp asked if the fire reserve funds have been dedicated to other costs. Flaherty
said the funds collected were to start up a Fire Department and have not been committed for
other uses at this time. CM Tanner asked if the Fire Reserve would be replenished. Flaherty
said there is a new capital revolving fund that will be funded for future replacement and
maintenance of equipment and facilities.
MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 9, 2026
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CM Tanner asked if hiring 20 members for the part-time and cadet staffing is attainable. Chief
Scott said there is a lot of interest within the area and neighboring departments; however,
volunteerism continues to dwindle as call volumes continue to grow.
CM Dunlap noted the budget variance due to moving up the hiring timelines. Chief Scott
emphasized the importance of having the fire department fully operational as a team by
January 2027 and outlined the tasks for Captains once hired. The council also reviewed
historical discussions about the fire station proposals and shared services studies with
neighboring cities.
CM Dunlap asked to review the comparisons within the presentation noting that most cities
had a centralized population and closer incidents to their fire stations. CM Dunlap said most of
Otsego’s incidents occur within 5 miles of a contracted fire station. Chief Scott said the
comparison presented with similar cities was for staffing comparison, not the number of fire
stations; adding a second station will be considered in the future. Chief Scott said partnering
would be a great option if City had a willing partner and being able to bring something to the
partnership. CM Tanner noted the request on the agenda is to approve staffing, not the fire
station quantities.
CM Goede motioned to approve the Fire Captain Job Description and to authorize
recruitment, seconded by CM Tanner. Voting in favor: Stockamp, Goede, Lund, and Tanner.
Voting against: Dunlap. Motion carried 4-1.
CM Goede motioned to approve the Firefighter Cadet and Part-Time Firefighter Job
Descriptions and to authorize recruitment, and to amend the Seasonal Temporary Employees
Pay Plan to include the respective position and wage-scale, seconded by CM Tanner. Voting in
favor: Stockamp, Goede, Lund, and Tanner. Voting against: Dunlap. Motion carried 4-1.
5. City Council Reports and Updates.
Mayor Stockamp and Councilmembers had a brief discussion and review of their recent
attendance at a League of Minnesota Cities training event.
6. Staff Reports and Updates:
Flaherty noted the bonding bill importance for low interest funding, a goal setting survey was
sent to the City Council, updated about on-going recruitments, noted that the City received a
certificate of achievement for excellence in financial reporting, and City offices will be closed
next Monday for the Presidents Day Holiday.
Etzel said Advisory Commission interviews are scheduled for this Thursday starting at 5:30 p.m.
City Planner Licht said the Planning Commission will meet next Tuesday to review ordinance
amendments.
MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 9, 2026
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Sergeant Jason Oltmanns, Wright County Sheriff’s Office provided updates regarding a social
media incident regarding a violent criminal that involved a pursuit and apprehension within
Otsego and a recent award ceremony for Deputies involved in a water rescue.
7. Adjourn.
CM Goede motioned to adjourn at 8:27 PM, seconded by CM Tanner. All in favor. Motion
carried 5-0.
City of Otsego:
_________________________________
Jessica Stockamp, Mayor
ATTEST: ___________________________
Audra Etzel, City Clerk