Otsego council approves $1.52 million pay application for fire facility over lone dissent

The City of Otsego City Council on Oct. 27 approved pay application No. 10 for $1,521,546.05 for work on the city’s fire and emergency services facility.

Councilmember Corey moved to approve the payment; Councilmember Tina seconded. After discussion, the motion passed by a 4–1 vote.

Councilmember Ryan had pulled the item from the consent agenda and urged colleagues to reconsider the city’s current plan for fire services. “If approved, the total spend for our fire department will increase to $350,939.91, which is more than 6.7 times the cost of the fire contracts with our neighbors,” Ryan said during debate, adding, “It will not make them safer. It will not be less expensive.” He concluded by saying, “Vote no.”

City staff did not dispute the payment amount during the meeting and proceeded with the roll call; the mayor announced the motion carried 4–1. The council did not adopt any amendment or additional conditions to the payment at the meeting.

The pay application covers construction work completed to date on the capital project described as the fire and emergency services facility. Council did not provide a project completion date during the discussion, nor did staff enumerate remaining contract payments at the meeting.

Council members who supported the payment gave no further conditions on the record; Ryan’s remarks were the only recorded formal opposition. The council did not vote at this meeting to cancel or alter existing intergovernmental fire service contracts.

Next steps reported at the meeting: staff and the fire chief will continue coordination with neighboring chiefs and follow up with council members individually.