Thanks to a commitment by the Ottertail Rod and Gun Club, the Pelican Bay Handicapped Accessible Fishing Pier Project will be moving forward with full funding.
Ron Grobeck, a member of both the Ottertail Business and Community Association and the Rod and Gun Club, presented an update on the project at the August 15 meeting of the Ottertail City Council.
The pier will be built on Pelican Bay, directly across Highway 78 from the Otter Tail Lake public launch area.
“Since the last (city council) meeting, we brought the proposal to the Rod and Gun Club. The Rod and Gun Club is willing to foot the entire bill for this project,” Grobeck reported.
He asked that the city council approve the placing of an ADA handicapped accessible fishing pier on Pelican Bay, which is located within Ottertail city limits. His approval request outlined that the pier, along with any construction, grading or other costs, will be entirely paid for with private funds.
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“The only cost the city will have is an increase on their liability insurance policy,” Grobeck said. He mentioned that he looked into this and the cost to the city will be less than $250 a year.
Members of the council voted to approve the project. Insurance on the pier will be maintained by the city of Ottertail.
“It looks like a win-win situation to me,” said council member Darold Woessner.
Preliminary levy set
The city council voted to set the proposed tax levy for 2014 at 5 percent.
The council came to this decision after reviewing proposed 2014 budget estimates. The actual levy amount will be certified later in the year. The council may decide to lower the levy percentage, but cannot increase the percentage.
Other business
-Various street projects were also discussed at the Aug. 15 council meeting.
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One of the first projects the city is looking at is overlaying Elm Avenue. City Clerk/Treasurer Elaine Hanson noted that the city has capital outlay funds that could be used for this type of project.
She also brought up the possibility of paving the area around the monument at the corner of Highways 78 and 108.
-Members of the council were presented with an updated drawing of the proposed plan for the Family Dollar store.
“They (Family Dollar) are still working with the DNR on the storm water runoff plan. They are going to request a special meeting, but they have not contacted me yet about when they’d like to do that,” Hanson said.
Heidi Kratzke, For the Focus
