Clean up day set for June 5th in Otterail

By Jenna Baker

Correspondent

Residents of Ottertail City can mark June 5th on their calendars for this year’s city-wide clean up day. After speaking with local communities to see how others host this day, city staff presented the plan for Ottertail at the regularly scheduled March council meeting. The clean up day will allow for residents to pay a small fee to have items removed that are not normally picked up with garbage service.

Prior to June 5th, each resident of Ottertail city will receive a postcard in the mail with details regarding the event on the front with a price and item card on the backside. Examples of such items include appliances both large and small, sofas, mattresses, televisions, computer monitors, tires and more. The full list including each items’ disposal fee will be included on the back of the postcard.

The city is partnering with Steve’s Sanitation of Perham, who will be collecting the items beginning at 8 a.m. on June 5th. Steve’s Sanitation will verify what items were picked up at each residence and the city will then bill the disposal charges back to the resident.

The council unanimously approved the plan. More information will be given to city residents in the postcard or can be found by calling 367-2250. 

Present at the March meeting was Bob Schlieman of Apex Engineering, who provided a brief update on the Tyler Wohlers Trail. He explained that the design of the trail is 95 percent complete, noting that the Army Corps of Engineers has approved the wetland mitigation plan and that verbal approval from the county has been given with their written approval coming in the near future. Schlieman told the council that next steps include completing the permits required, coordinating with Otter Tail Power to relocate power lines as needed, finalizing the design and finally advertising for bids. 

Schliemann was also present in regards to the Happy Acres development project. At the meeting, the council approved the design for the development and passed a motion to proceed with improvements to the streets and water distribution system for these parcels. 

In other news

• The city will proceed with beautifying the exterior of both the city hall and community center. A flower bed will be added at the city hall, while slightly more extensive landscaping will be done at the community center.

• A sign has been ordered to promote the City’s Big Housing Initiative, cost of which totaled approximately $1,045.

• The council approved the renewal of an Interim Use Permit (IUP) for Big Cat Disc Golf. As there were no concerns during the duration of the initial permit, the council approved a five-year extension of the IUP. 

• A new flagpole will be purchased and installed at the city hall upon council approval. A motion was passed to buy a 25 foot flagpole which can accommodate a 4 foot by 6 foot flag. Total estimated cost for the flagpole is $535. Additionally, a lighting feature will be added as well. 

• A motion was approved to cover half the total cost of up to $3,000 to install a fence at the recycling area near the water tower to aid in keeping the area cleaner and more appealing. Cost of the fence, of which the city will contribute up to $1,500, will be split with the county. The plan is to install 100 foot long and four foot high fence. Additionally, the council and city staff will be looking into solutions as to how to better keep the area clean, including options of working with local groups to provide a donation to in return for regular upkeep.