By Chad Koenen

Publisher

Just four years after an accident took the life of 21-year-old Tyler Wohler, a new trail in Ottertail could come to fruition as soon as next summer. 

During its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, Dec. 21, the Ottertail City Council heard that much of the funding is now in place for the estimated $425,000 trail project. That cost is estimated and could change given the uncertainties in materials, fuel and other construction related costs. 

Bob Schliemann, of Apex Engineering, said the city has received $345,000 from the MnDOT Local Partnership Program, $55,000 from the MnDOT LRIP program and local contributions totaling $25,000. 

Last week the city acknowledged an $88,300 from the Tyler Wohlers Memorial Trail Committee and $35,000 from the Ottertail Lions Club for the project. 

“As you can see we are in very good shape for funds for this project,” said Schliemann.

In order to move forward with the state funding portion of the project, the city council approved a formal budget resolution to acknowledge it had enough money earmarked to pay for the construction of the trail. 

Construction on the new trail, which begins near the fishing pier and public access south of Ottertail and connects to the intersection just south of the Highway 78 and 108 intersection, is expected to begin in 2024. 

If the bids come in favorably, or if additional money is raised for the project, several city council members expressed an interest in either extending the trail, adding additional lighting or saving the money for future maintenance projects. 

Wohler was killed on July 6, 2019 when he was struck in a hit-and-run accident while walking home with friends on Highway 78 near Ottertail. A group of family and community members has spent the past three years raising money in his honor to construct a trail to give pedestrians a safe place to walk on the busy stretch of road. 

In addition to the Tyler Wohlers Memorial Trail, the city council approved a 20 percent increase to the 2024 tax levy, which was down slightly from the 30 percent proposed tax levy increase. 

Approximately 10 people attended the annual Truth in Taxation meeting to hear a proposal of the proposed tax levy and how it will affect the community moving forward. A majority of people in attendance asked the city council to reconsider its 30 percent preliminary tax levy increase for 2024. 

Several of the comments received from those in attendance revolved around the challenges in paying for a large tax increase while on a fixed income. 

Several other concerns revolved around the large increase in property values that were assigned by the Otter Tail County Assessors office, which resulted in an increase in taxes as well. 

The city council ultimately approved the 20 percent tax levy increase, which was lower than the proposed 30 percent increase that was approved in September. 

In other news

• Accepted a $12,000 donation from the Ottertail Rod and Gun Club for the fire department to purchase fire protection boots.

• Approved an increase in the benefit level for firefighters who have completed at least five years of good service credit as a member of the voluntary statewide volunteer firefighter retirement plan. The city council increased the benefit to $1,800 per year of service.

• Heard the Ottertail Lions Club and Ottertail Rod and Gun Club wanted to purchase a warming house for the new ice skating rink. The warming house could be donated to the city and then given to Thumper Pond for the new ice skating rink.

• Approved an edible cannabis license for Sota Sewn for 2024. The city council discussed some concerns regarding signage at the facility this past summer, which city clerk/treasurer Amanda Thorson said has been addressed with the business.