A resolution to bond up to $2.5 million for a new law enforcement center was approved April 5 at the Ottertail City Council meeting.
Councilmembers believe that the law enforcement center, a satellite station for the Otter Tail County Sheriff's Department, will result in substantial safety and developmental benefits to the city.
According to the resolution, the Otter Tail County Housing and Redevelopment Authority is proposing to issue approximately $5,595,000 in principal amount of bonds to finance the costs of constructing and equipping the new facility.
This resolution came about as the result of numerous meetings between Ottertail city officials and Otter Tail County Coordinator Larry Krohn.
The new 30,500-square-foot facility will serve as a training center and an outpost for the OTC Sheriff's Department. Construction on the $4.4 million patrol station is set to begin in May 2007. The facility will be located on Highway 108 near the intersection with County Road 55.
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Ottertail Councilman Jeff Spanswick made the suggestion that a siren be built on the new site. This siren would be used to alert the community in the event of a tornado.
Burning permit fee set
Citizens under the jurisdiction of Ottertail city will now be required to pay a $1 fee for a burning permit. The council had asked to set a fee for burning permits last year, and the Legislature just recently approved the charging of $1 for the issuing of a burning permit.
According to Ottertail City Coordinator Lee Sherman, "You will eventually be able to go on the computer and get a one-year burning permit for $5." Permit holders will then have a phone number they need to call when they are going to burn.
City approves purchase of new defibrillator
At the request of Ottertail's Fire Chief Myron Lueders, the Ottertail City Council approved the purchase of a new defibrillator for the city.
Lueders estimated that the defibrillator the city is currently using is 5 to 10 years old. There is currently no set time schedule in place regarding upgrading the unit.
"Ours [the city's current defibrillator] still works, but it doesn't shock according to the latest recommended protocol by the American Heart Association," said Lueders. The city's current defibrillator cannot be upgraded, necessitating a brand new unit.
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"The one we have now shocks three times, then you evaluate," Lueders reported to the council. "The one we would get shocks one time, then you evaluate, then it shocks again, and then you evaluate again," he explained of the new recommended procedure.
