Interim Fire Chief Mike Scott told the City Council that Otsego’s recent emergency calls highlight gaps in current contracted coverage and staffing, and urged the city to continue developing its station and staffing plan.

Scott recounted a mobile‑home fire where the 9‑1‑1 call came in at 04:20 a.m.; neighboring departments were paged in stages and the first fire engine arrived about 21 minutes after the call. “At 04:23, 3 minutes into the call, Wright County called Sherburne County … At 04:25, 5 minutes after the 9‑1‑1 call, Elk River Fire is paged,” Scott said, describing the staggered paging and the 21‑minute arrival time for the first engine. He noted that every passing minute worsens an emergency and cited national guidance that fires can engulf a room in six to eight minutes.

Scott described work over his nearly three months as interim chief to rebuild relationships with contract partners and dispatch agencies, to review ISO mapping and to explore staffing models that mix paid and volunteer crew (a “combination” model). He said the station’s location is “in a very good location” for covering most of the city within the ISO five‑road‑mile guideline, but that some peripheral areas remain less covered.

Council members pressed Scott on contracts and timing. Scott said his reading of the Elk River contract requires one year’s written notice to cancel; giving notice in early 2026 would keep the contract in effect through early 2027. He recommended two elected liaisons to continue talks with neighboring fire chiefs and city administrators; the council appointed Council Member Dunlap and another council member to serve as those contacts.

The council voted to approve payment application number 12 for construction work on the new fire station in the amount of $1,018,591.35 (motion by Corey, seconded by Tina; motion passed 4–1). Council discussion included persistent concerns from some members about cumulative costs and previous procurement and staffing decisions.

Opponents at the meeting and in public comment repeatedly raised cost and governance questions. Resident David Schwab noted a July 17, 2023 townhouse fire that he said caused “$1,300,000” in damage and argued long response times justify a local station. Council Member Dunlap and others cited past spending, contract terms, and the need for transparent records before further commitments.

Next steps: Scott asked the council to authorize two elected officials to work with him and city staff on shared‑services discussions and return with a recommended direction early in 2026; the council approved those liaisons and Scott said he expects to provide an update after the first of the year.

Sources: Remarks and presentation by Interim Fire Chief Mike Scott to the Otsego City Council; public comments from residents at the open forum.