Ottertail council to hold assessment hearing on October 17 for Wallenberg Drive project

By Chad Koenen

Publisher

A new plan could help to determine future improvements and upgrades to Cozy Oak Drive in Ottertail.

During its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, Sept. 19, the Ottertail City Council approved a resolution to hire Apex Engineering to prepare a report on improvement for East Cozy Oak Drive. The cost to complete the study is estimated to be $4,000, but could determine what, if any, improvements will be needed to the road should future development take place in that area. 

The study will look at East Cozy Oak Drive from Cozy Oak Drive to West Avenue. 

  In addition to Cozy Oak Drive, the city council approved a resolution to call for an assessment hearing for October 17 at 5:30 p.m. for improvements made on Wallenberg Drive. The total cost of the project was estimated to be $155,669.02, of which $108,973.72 was eligible to be assessed against beginning property owners. 

Earlier this year, at the request of residents along the former Class 5 road, Ottertail completed a bituminous project that improve the driving surface on the busy residential road. At the time the city council approved the project, residents were informed they would be responsible for a lion-share of the improvements to the road. 

In other news

• Held a tax abatement hearing for David and Stacy Windsperger at 207 Hilltop Road, the Habitat for Humanity in Fergus Falls at 101 Arvilla Dr. and amended a CUP for Ardell Paulson at 110 Thalmann Road. Both tax abatements and the CUP amendment were approved during the regular council meeting.

• Heard the monthly Ottertail Fire Department report from fire chief Joe Ahlfs who said the department responded to eight medical calls, one alarm call and provided mutual aid in Battle Lake. The department has also received inquiries from two additional people about joining the department. If both people join the department the Ottertail Fire Department will increase its membership to 24 people. 

• Approved the purchase of two new pagers for the fire department, as well as new turn out boots for the fire department. The cost of fire boots will be $5,6000 and the cost for grass boots will be approximately $7,000. The Ottertail Rod and Gun has pledged  donation to cover the cost of the new boots. 

• Approved installing a new counter near the front door of the city hall building. The cost of installing the new counter, which could increase safety of the city hall, as well as provide additional information for people at the entrance, will be $10,000. City clerk/treasurer Amanda Thorson said she has applied for a grant that could provide matching funds up to $5,000 to assist with the cost of the project. 

• Approved setting a special work session for December 12 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the proposed Ottertail Family and Recreational Center.