City discusses, approves street improvement districts
OSMOND — The Monday, June 14, meeting of the Osmond City Council was held at the city auditorium, and began with a public hearing regarding the sufficiency of any written objections to the creation of street improvement districts.
City Clerk Brittney Backstrom reported that, on or before the deadline for submission, written objections were received representing the percentage of front footage of the property directly abutting on the streets to be improved in the districts as follows: District No. 2021-1 (Fourth Street from vacated Dakota Street to Main Street) 0%; District No. 2021- 2 (Fourth Street from Main Street to Fulton Street) 16.2%; District No. 2021-3 (Fourth Street from Fulton Street to Logan Street) 16.6%; District No. 2021-4 (Fourth Street from State Street to Maple Street) 0%; District No. 2021-5 (Third Street from Main Street to Fulton Street) 12.5%; District No. 2021-6 (Third Street from Fulton Street to Logan Street) 0%; District No. 2021-7 (Third Street from Logan Street to State Street) 0%; District No. 2021-8 (Third Street from State Street to Maple Street) 0%; District No. 2021-9 (Logan Street from Second Street to Fourth Street) 12.5%; District No. 2021-10 (First Street from Main Street to ½ Block East of Logan Street) 31.2%.
Since all Street Improvement Districts passed with not enough front footage objections to meet the 51% requirement, the public voiced their concern regarding the 83.5% city obligation and 16.5% assessments for the property owners in those districts. As stated in previous minutes from the Tuesday, May 25, town hall meeting, the predicted cost for all residents of Osmond to cover bond payments would add between $447 to $465 per $100,000 valuation on property each year for the next 15 years.
Copies of the breakdown of cost for each district can be found in the city office. The city council would like all residents to know that they are not taking this lightly and will continue to explore all options possible.
Website Changes Coming
Clerk Backstrom reported that the Osmond website will no longer be supported and run by NPPD as of January 2022. Backstrom had stated that there are three options which were to transfer the files from the website to the City, create a new website with external provider, or remove the website. She asked council to allow her more time to research this a little more and have it put on the July agenda to make a decision. The Mayor and Council agreed and tabled the item until July’s meeting.
More FEMA Money Coming
Assistant Treasurer Cindy Hoffman reported that with extra federal money now available, FEMA has increased the City’s share from 75% to 90% on flood-related projects from 2019. If this happens, the City should receive around $57,244.44 more from FEMA, decreasing the City’s cost from $47,703.71 to $19,081.49 for those projects. Hoffman also stated FEMA’s determination on the appeal for funds for street repairs caused by the flood should be received by the August or September council meeting.
Correspondence Read
The following correspondences were read by Mayor Kuhl: From Mac and Susan from McMinnville, TN — “Thank you for letting us share your beautiful park overnight;” and from Public Alliance for Community Energy congratulating the City of Osmond on the following awards they received during their teleconference: Thermie Award for percentage of market share growth for Accounts and Volume, in which the city made top three in both categories with both plaques displayed in the city office; the Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District (NENEDD) thanking the City of Osmond for its continued support as a member in the fiscal year 2021-22, with the city’s membership certificate displayed in the city office.
Police Report Given
Police Chief Tyler Wells reported during the last month there were three theft cases, encouraging residents to keep all buildings locked; one house watch; one dog barking and three dog citations, to name a few. Wells stated the E-citation grant was looking promising for receiving grant money to cover the cost of a computer, docking station, mount and printer for the vehicle E-citation system. Clerk/ Treasurer Backstrom reported that the AARP grants have not been awarded yet for the new security system for the city, but hopes in the next week or two to receive an email response announcing grant recipients.
Other Business
Mayor Dennis Kuhl requested additional time to gather more information on the Insurance Cafeteria plan, which allows employees access to a Flex Savings Account and allows the City to not tax employees on money that they contribute to the FSA or HSA. This was tabled until next month.
Mayor Kuhl reported that five applications have been received for the vacant city clerk position. He went on to say that all interviews should be completed by Friday, June 18, 2021. The mayor said he would contact council the next week and discuss who the possible candidate would be for the position.
In other business, the council:
— adopted Resolution No. 2021-5 stating that written objections to the creation of the following Street Improvement Districts are insufficient to cause repeal of the ordinance creating said districts: 2021-1, 2021-2, 2021- 3, 2021-4, 2021-5, 2021-6, 2021-7, 2021-8, 2021-9, 2021-10.
— appointed Justin Orr to finish Todd Schultz’s term on the Library Board.
— approved a motion to pay Summer Youth coaches’ salaries and softball field improvements out of the KENO fund.
— heard Maintenance Supervisor Tom Kruse report on Great American Cleanup Day, stating that they had a great turnout and the kids cleaned up the parks, painted the helicopter landing spot and worked on painting at the ballfields, and the council thanked everyone who helped with the cleanup day.
— since Thomsen’s Corner has switched managers, approved its liquor license under Kayla Wattier’s name.
— approved Main Street Alley’s and Jerry’s Hilltop special designated liquor license applications for receptions at the city auditorium for July 24 and July 31, 2021.
— in Treasurer Backstrom’s report on total claims in the amount of $1,308,729.52, she stated that, out of that total, $1,162,053.75 is for the refunding of Bond 2016B, which would be paid off and reissued at a lower interest rate.
— reviewed a building permit from Adam and Tiffany Rice for a new house on the lot split in south Osmond from last year, which is out of the floodplain zone.
— heard Mayor Kuhl state city sales tax for March was a total of $14,298.72 (of that amount $1,587.35 is from motor vehicle tax).
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