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Residents press Otsego council on fire-response times; county commissioner flags DHS software backlog
Summary
During open forum on Jan. 12, resident David Swaab said a recent townhouse fire left one unit gutted and that a drive to the new fire station took about four minutes; Wright County Commissioner Jeanie Holland warned statewide DHS software problems are delaying resident services. Sergeant Jason Oltmanns summarized sheriff's office activity for Otsego.
Residents at Otsego’s Jan. 12 City Council meeting urged faster emergency response and raised concerns about county service backlogs while a county commissioner described statewide software problems at the Department of Human Services.
David Swaab, of 16135 71st Lane NE, told the Council a recent fire in his townhome development gutted one unit and caused smoke damage to several others. "I drove to the new fire station location, and the drive took four minutes time; I cannot wait for the Otsego Fire Station to be operational," Swaab said during the open forum.
Wright County Commissioner Jeanie Holland provided a county update in the same open forum. Holland said Wright County is pursuing agreements with cities to share compost equipment and outlined the county’s legislative priorities. She also raised problems with the Department of Human Services' software, saying the system is outdated, staff are receiving more complaints, and "it is challenging for residents to sign up." When asked by Councilmember Corey Tanner whether the software issue is statewide, Holland replied that it is.
Isabel Grimm asked about arranging a one-on-one community conversation regarding the fire department, saying she is "fighting for America." Later in the meeting, Sergeant Jason Oltmanns of the Wright County Sheriff’s Office briefed the Council on officer assignments in Otsego, use of drones for search and rescue, December activity and an increase in calls related to health concerns.
The remarks during open forum and the sheriff's update framed public-safety and service-delivery concerns that city officials and county partners may address in future staff follow-ups and scheduled meetings. Mayor Jessica Stockamp closed the open forum at 7:21 p.m.
