By Chad Koenen

Publisher

The City of Ottertail is getting closer to selling a piece of property that could soon house the Ottertail Family and Recreation Center.

During its regularly scheduled meeting last week, the Ottertail City Council heard from Tyler Rupe about a purchase agreement for several lots in the Arvilla housing development that could soon become a family center and day care. The lots would be sold for $10, which was consistent with the $1 lot sale the city has been promoting to spur economic and housing growth within the community. 

Some of the questions last week concerned the total size of the lots, which was different than recently presented to the city council, as well as who would pay for things like moving the utilities in the area of the new facility.

Rupe said the nonprofit that will run the family center will pay for moving the utilities to ease any concerns from the city council. He also said the non-profit has not heard back about the soil bearings and septic system that will be needed as well. 

In addition to private donations, fundraising and grants the facility has already received commitments from, Rupe said the Ottertail Family and Recreation Center recently received a $250,000 grant from the state of Minnesota to establish a day care facility and indoor gym area for the community. 

In order to address concerns that were raised by the city attorney concerning the purchase agreement, the city council gave city clerk/treasurer Amanda Thorson permission to work with Rupe and the city attorney to finalize a purchase agreement to bring back to the full council. The city council could then act on the purchase agreement at a special meeting, or its regularly scheduled meeting in March. The council expressed a desire to get the purchase agreement done sooner-than-later to allow for construction of the new facility to continue moving forward.

In addition to the family resource center, the city council said it could discuss future expansion or needs at the community center and fire hall at a special work session in the near future as well.

In other news

• Accepted a donation of $600 from the Lake Region Electric Cooperative for the Ottertail Fire Department and Rescue.

• Accepted a donation of $500 from the Ottertail Convention and Tourism Board for the Ottertail Fire Department and Rescue. 

• Heard from the Ottertail Fire Chief Joe Ahlf who said the department has responded to three medical calls, one car accident and one barn fire over the past month. 

• Heard the city hall has switched utility billing software and Thorson said the city has undergone some challenges with the new system, but continues to work with residents and businesses when issues arise.

• Approved a donation of $550 to the East Otter Tail County Fair. 

• Approved submitting an application for a limited use sign permit for the Welcome to Ottertail sign located south of town on Highway 78. The sign is located in the Mn/DOT right of way so an annual permit is needed from Mn/DOT to keep the sign in place.