City approves new agreement with Otter Tail Power
Tue, 09/22/2020 - 3:31pm
admin
By:
Bonnie Kirchman
Representatives from Otter Tail Power presented a new 20-year franchise agreement to the Clearbrook City council at the regular September meeting. Council members approved the new agreement at the meeting that took place on Monday, September 14, 2020 in the Clearbrook Community Room.
Jake Ellefson, Area Manager of Otter Tail Power, described the contract as providing legal authority to Otter Tail Power to maintain its energy distribution system in the municipality of Clearbrook. The contract also gives Otter Tail the legal right to furnish electricity in Clearbrook.
According to Ellefson, Otter Tail Power is focusing more on developing renewable resources. One step toward this is retiring the company’s smallest coal generator in Fergus Falls and placing a solar generator at that location. The company is also building a wind farm in North Dakota.
“It’s about keeping costs low for customers while factoring in social issues as well and being good stewards of natural resources,” Ellefson stated. Using 2005 as a baseline, Otter Tail Power Company’s goals include decreasing carbon emissions by thirty percent by the year 2022. Other goals include providing energy rates at thirty percent less than the national average and producing thirty-five percent of the area’s energy from renewable resources.
Minnesota law provides that municipalities have the right to assess energy franchises like Otter Tail Power. Ellefson described this as a pass-through tax that customers pay as part of their energy bill. The money collected goes to the municipality. The city of Clearbrook has not been assessing Otter Tail Power and council members did not choose to add the tax at this time.
Zach Thoma, engineer with Karvakko, provided finalized plans for the 2021 bike trail project. Bid opening will take place on October 5th.
Police Chief Dan Gazelka gave the monthly police report. The department responded to 85 calls during August. Gazelka noted that 29 of these were traffic stops. The increased number comes as a result of the extra traffic enforcement under the Toward Zero Deaths program. Blight letters were sent out and some residents have made changes to reduce blight issues on their property.
Nick Rankin reported that the city’s fire department received sixteen calls for assistance in August, a higher-than-average number. These calls included nine medical calls, one vehicle fire, two rescue calls, one alarm, one fire, one weather watch, and one vehicle accident. So far in September, the department has been called for one vehicle fire, one weather watch, and two vehicle accidents.
The department will hold a fundraising banquet on Saturday, October 3rd, starting at 4:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $20. The event will take place in tents at the old playground near the Clearbrook Community Center. There will be food as well as games and prizes. Volunteer help will be welcomed. Members of the fire department can be contacted for more information.
Karra Weems gave the liquor store report. One staff member has moved to full-time and another part-time employee has been hired. The bar has been open during Sunday football games. Karra asked the council’s input on planning larger events for the bar, such as a Halloween party. Council members recommended waiting to schedule these events after discussing concerns that included jeopardizing Local Government Aid funding.
Mark Snobl updated the council on upcoming work on the city’s gas regulators. The changes will provide more capabilities if the city grows and more gas service is needed. He presented and received the council’s approval for the Original Equipment Manufacturer welding procedures that need to be on record before the parts are welded. The city’s hydrants will be flushed during the week of September 21st.
Lucie Thompson, City Clerk, updated the council on the water and sewer project for engineer Curt Meyer who was unable to attend the meeting. Bidding for the project was delayed to change contract wording to meet the Clearwater County engineer’s approval. The city expects to open bidding on the project in mid-October.
Lucie informed the board that employee evaluations need to be completed before the end of the year. She will email employee contracts to council members for review. Lucie also reported that eight disconnect notices were sent to residents who haven’t paid city utility bills.
The council approved a building permit application from James Granley for a bedroom addition.
The council chose to table a resolution on the preliminary 2021 property tax levy. Members expressed concern for setting tax rates before the 2019 audit is complete and more concrete financial figures are available. They discussed a general desire to avoid raising taxes, but also noted that 2020 has been an unusual year and any decisions made now would have to be based on 2018 financial reports.
The council approved the monthly claims of $58,393.95 and additional claims of $92,841.08.