City council approves ordinances, hears many reports
OSMOND — The Osmond City Council met Monday, March 9, with many items on the agenda, which resulted in a three-hour meeting.
OVR Offers Package
On behalf of Osmond Venture Resources (OVR), Clark Wilke extended an invitation to everyone present to a dinner meeting to be held on Thursday, March 26, at the Osmond city auditorium with keynote speaker Mike Flood to talk about flood recovery efforts and to look forward into growing northeast Nebraska. (This meeting has now been canceled because of the CDC’s recommendation that no more than 10 persons gather.)
Wilke said OVR is also planning other projects to help build Osmond’s economy. For one, as part of an incentive, they are looking to put a package together for newcomers. In that package they would like to include, and asked Council to consider, offering 90 days of free water, sewer, and garbage service to any newcomers to Osmond who purchase an existing home and/or business, or anyone who builds a new home and/or business. Following a brief discussion, council members voted to approve this free service effective March 1, 2020, and to notify OVR of any new services.
Summer Youth Report
Amy Moes, representing Osmond Summer Youth, presented a lengthy report that included asking the council’s permission to make some improvements to the city ballpark. She said with funds received from Osmond Community School, the group would like to make improvements to the field and to fix the batting cage.
They plan to purchase a new stationary pitching machine. She said the grandstand needs some repair and suggested sealing cracks, adding gutters and to possibly build a 3-4-ft. wall around the top and back of the grandstand to help control the water.
Marvin Kumm said the Park Board might help with the cost since they have $16,000 in funds that are allocated for ball park expenses. Discussion followed about how to drain water off the ballfield. It was confirmed that the city will furnish all supplies for the ballfield bathrooms and members of Osmond Summer Youth will do the maintenance work. Moes asked if a couple of the picnic tables that floated away in the flood could be permanently replaced at the ballpark.
She announced the coaches for the following teams for the 2020 season: baseball — Monte Miller, two T-ball teams, Alan Steinkraus, Junior and Senior Pee Wee teams; softball — Joel Kumm, 6-and-under and 8-and-under teams, Cameron Moes, 10-and-under team, Mrs. Nolan (Allie) Aschoff, 12-and-under team, open position, 14 and under team, Tom Schmit, 16-18 and under team.
It was reported there have been no changes to membership of the Summer Youth Group and it was asked to have the ball field ready by the end of March or early April. Moes was asked to contact Councilman John Aschoff for permission to make improvements.
Kumm Reports for Park Board
Marvin Kumm reported the big tree by the sidewalk at Memorial Park would not be cut down, but the Park Board has asked for the other two trees to be removed. Kumm will ask Thrivent Financial for a donation to help with the cost. Council granted permission for the two trees to be cut down as long as the American Legion has given its approval.
Kumm said the Park Board would like to construct a shelter over the picnic table directly east and to the back of the Veteran’s Monument. He said Thrivent Financial has already donated $1,000 to help with the cost. After reviewing costs, Council members approved $6,200 in funds for the covered shelter.
Kumm said Patty Ketelsen will design and plant a new flower bed by the north auditorium door. Kumm also suggested using the $50,000 donated to the Park Board last year to purchase the same fall protection material under the large play set to be put down in the other four areas of the city park.
Following discussion and after reviewing costs, council approved ordering the material as quoted by Eco Turf Surfacing to go down under Area 1 – the merry-go-round, Area 3 – the teeter totter, and Area 4 – the monkey bars; and to recheck the measurements of Area 2 – the old playground, to possibly lower the cost prior to ordering the material.
It was stated that the playground equipment that arrived last year could be installed anytime and it was suggested using any remaining donated funds to update the restrooms. Council also gave permission for the Park Board to put together a program to honor a member of the community.
Street Improvements Detailed
Brent Ciecior of JEO Consulting Group provided a handout showing details of construction for a concrete road with curb and gutter on 4th Street from Main to Dakota streets. During review of the plans and discussion of the specifications, he confirmed the width of the street would be 32 ft. There was also discussion on using concrete versus asphalt and what the cost difference would be vs. the life of the street. Council authorized JEO to advertise for bids for street improvements on 4th Street from Dakota Street to Main Street.
Following discussion of the process, Council approved the creation of Street Improvement District No. 2020-1, 4th Street from Dakota Street to Main Street.
Stealth Broadband Detailed
Kira Buol explained how the Stealth Broadband antenna would be attached to the top of the city water tower and will get a more detailed outline of the installation to council once a lease has been signed. Klint Arnold of Stealth Broadband looked over the changes to the lease suggested by Attorney Christopher German of Jewell & Collins offices and saw no concerns.
It was stated there would be no installation cost and that Stealth Broadband would be responsible for all electrical costs. Council agreed for Stealth Broadband to work with Jewell & Collins Law Firm directly in making appropriate changes to the lease. The council approved a motion for Stealth Broadband to pay $100 monthly and provide up to three free services for their use of the tower. Councilman Dan Timmerman advised Osmond’s engineers will also need to approve the agreement.
Questions, Suggestions Heard
Mike Enevoldsen asked about the condition of the vacant lot east of the post office and the lot on the southeast corner of 3rd and Logan streets. He also asked about the status of the installation of a fence at the city cemetery. It was explained the purchase of the fence was approved last year. The contractor is waiting on weather conditions to get it installed. Enevoldsen also suggested the idea for Osmond to have a professionally installed sign showing upcoming events. Mayor James Bessmer said it might be a project for the Community HOME Team.
FEMA, Flood Report Given
Cindy Hoffman announced FEMA’s approval to pay $21,466.06 for various flood damage submissions; however, it has not been confirmed on how to fund street repairs. Hoffman advised a policy for new street construction and repairs needed to be made in writing since FEMA requires existing regulations on all submissions. Council agreed to adopt the current standard of 4 inches of asphalt and 6 inches of concrete for any new city streets or repairs as the Street Codes and Standards for Osmond.
Hoffman said Tom Kruse advised not to install flood doors at the city office since it requires level concrete to seal the doors and the current condition of the sidewalk and back door pad would probably not work. Kruse said sand bagging that small space would be a better option. Hoffman asked for council’s approval to remove the flood doors from the city office FEMA submission, which she received.
Mayor Bessmer said the following payments have been received from FEMA: $8,863.60 for State Street south of the railroad tracks; $10,129.83 for damage to water control facilities; and, $2,472.63 for the grapple hook used for debris cleanup after the flood.
Mayor Bessmer explained because of the added office work since the March 2019 flood, he asked Cindy Hoffman to continue her part-time work and to accept a title change from Assistant Treasurer to Office Manager with a pay increase from $17.86 an hour to $18.00 an hour. Council approved the offer as stated; however, Hoffman asked for additional time to consider the offer.
In other business, the council:
— approved a request for a Special Designated License (SDL) submitted by Main Street Alley for the Osmond Venture Resources dinner event on March 26, 2020.
— approved NHIC for medical insurance for full-time city employees at a combined monthly total of $2,671.11 for 2020.
— after reviewing the bottom line of various options, approved paying 100% of the cost of the health insurance premium for full-time employees and to pay 75% of the premium cost for employee’s dependents.
— approved Ordinance No. 2020-3, Alcoholic Beverages: Hours of Sale (the full ordinance is printed in this issue of the Republican)
— approved Ordinance No. 2020-4, Truck Routes: Designating certain streets in the city for truck use (the full ordinance is printed in this issue of the Republican)
— approved Resolution 2020-2, a Resolution for street signs to designate truck routes (the full resolution is printed in this issue of the Republican)
— after reviewing quotes from Aschoff Construction, Don Haselhorst and Stech Construction for a flood wall at the well house and an estimate from Bloomquist Plumbing & Electric for the electrical work, council turned the project over to Councilman Timmerman for final decision making,
— approved payment to Christiansen Commercial Contracting, Inc., dba Christiansen Construction Co. for their Contractor’s Application for Payment No. 7 for the new pool in the amount of $65,542.50.
— after hearing that only six employment applications were received for the position of lifeguard at the pool, council approved running an ad for applications for another two weeks.
— set the following 2020 pool rates: season ticket passes for a family (parents and immediate family members under age 19) - $100.00 and for an individual season pass (any age) - $55.00; daily admissions - $4.00 and for age 2 and under – free, a pool party - $100.00 per hour.
— heard Mayor James Bessmer and Councilman Timmerman report that no recent change has taken place on the status of a police officer. and ask for an ad for a police chief position to be placed in the League’s publication the “Nebraska Municipal Review” and to once again start the online ad.
— heard Hoffman read two thank you cards.
— heard a report that Building Permits were received from Bahr Farms, Inc. to build a grain bin and from John Schmit to make an alteration to his home at 508 West 4th St. Osmond, NE.
