By Chad Koenen

Publisher

A fire suppression system in need of additional water pressure at OtterCell (a battery making business near ULV) in Ottertail, recently resulted in a lengthy discussion about how to best service the growing business on the outskirts of Ottertail.

During its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, April 15, the Ottertail City Council heard from representatives from OtterCell and ULV about the need to increase the water line from six inches to as much as eight inches to accommodate the water pressure needed to serve its fire suppression system. Though the water pressure at the ULV building was sufficient, due to the sensitive nature and materials used to create the large batteries at OtterCell, additional water pressure was needed to serve the building in event of a fire. 

Throughout the course of the discussion the council said it would like to accommodate improving water pressure at the facility, but there were questions on whether it should be the city’s responsibility to pay for the larger water line since it would only benefit OtterCell, or whether there was a more economical way to complete the project. One idea floated during the nearly 45 minute discussion was to have OtterCell and ULV pay for the project since it would only benefit the businesses, which would allow them to avoid some of the bidding and requirements from the state that can increase the cost of the project. 

Another idea was to potentially drill a well on the property that would only serve as the fire suppression system at OtterCell. Whether that was a viable option with the State of Minnesota, or a variance would even be needed since the property was thought to be outside of the 400 foot requirement that doesn’t allow wells without a variance, was unknown at the time of the meeting.

Nonetheless, the council said if a variance would be required to drill a well,they would likely be in favor of granting the exception to the city ordinance if it was more cost effective than installing a bigger water line. 

“The research side is on your end to do that now,” said Mayor Ron Grobeck. “The council unanimously is on board with this project and obviously with Bob (Schliemann) and Amanda (Thorson) and everybody will keep communicating. You made this sound like it is a pretty high importance on the agenda so we can make that happen on this end and we will work with you to make it happen.”

Ottertail City Councilman Jerry Martin said he doesn’t have a problem with OtterCell installing a well to help with its fire suppression system, nor did Grobeck or councilwoman Jill Carlson. Councilman Mike Windey said his only concern was if the well would provide enough water pressure for current and future expansion, but no official vote was taken.

Representatives from OtterCell and ULV said they would do some research about the cost of installing a well for a fire suppression system, as well as work with the state to ensure a well could be drilled to provide water for the system.

The council said it would schedule a special meeting to discuss a variance to allow a well for OtterCell’s fire suppression system if the state allows the company to install a well for its fire suppression system. If OtterCell and ULV was more than 400 feet from the current water line then a variance may not be necessary.

In other news

• Acknowledged the following donations for the Ottertail Fire and Rescue expansion project: $50 from Whitey Schuett, $250 from James and Karla Mohagen and $250 from Gary and Pamela Brtek. 

• Recognized Martin for ordinance 2025-3 for his work in helping to develop the chicken ordinance in the community. The ordinance will allow up to six chickens on each property in the community. Grobeck presented Martin with a special t-shirt for his work in developing the ordinance. 

• Approved a bid of $12,720 from Ottertail Aggregate for Class 5 for Lueders Road. 

• Approved the 50 percent review of design plans for the Ottertail Fire Hall Expansion project. The cost of the expansion was estimated to be $3,010,000 and would be put on a 15-year bond. The council could call for a public hearing during the May city council meeting for the preliminary issuance of bonds on the Capital Improvement Finance Plan in June. 

• Heard from Grobeck about a potential senior housing project in the community. He asked the council to think about if the council wants to see a senior housing project on city property in the community and what, if anything, the city could offer a developer to construct a senior housing project in the community. He said the goal was to have the council think about the project and bring back ideas to future meetings.

• Approved the purchase and installation of a new outdoor warning siren at a cost of $27,125 that will be placed at the Ottertail Fire Hall. The city received a Hazardous Mitigation Project Assistance Grant for $18,075 with the remaining $9,050 to be paid by the City of Ottertail.