Osmond City Council members welcome new police chief
OSMOND — The Osmond City Council met Monday, June 8, in the conference room. During the meeting, Police Chief Tyler Wells was introduced since his start date with the city was June 1, 2020.
Wells thanked everyone for his new position. He talked about the condition of the current police car and presented quotes on the purchase of a new vehicle. Mayor James Bessmer said he would meet with Tyler to review the quotes.
The mayor also said Steve Miller will be contacting Tyler to discuss getting a new computer for the police station and that a keyless door lock will be purchased and installed there. Council extended a heartwarming welcome to Tyler.
An article about the new police chief is printed elsewhere on this page.
Street Improvements Discussed
Councilman Doug Schmit reported that, since the recent project to create a street improvement district for a two block area on Fourth Street from Main Street to Dakota Street failed, he has been approached by several homeowners residing in the area asking to create a street improvement district for one block on Fourth Street from Meadow Street to Dakota Street.
Revised plans, specifications and estimated cost of $336,471.81 to create Street Improvement District 2020-2, Fourth Street from Dakota Street to Meadow Street, were presented to council members for review. Discussion followed, including the uncertainty of whether or not FEMA money might become available to help with costs, after which council members approved Ordinance 2020-6 creating the street improvement district, and authorized JEO to advertise for Fourth Street Improvements.
A hearing will be held on Monday, July 13, at 7:30 p.m. at the Osmond city auditorium, to hear any written objections filed to the creation of Street Improvement District No. 2020-2.
Summer Youth
LaVail Aschoff and Amy Moes presented a report on activities of Osmond Summer Youth. They said fences at the ball fields were being repaired and asked when restrooms can be opened and if paper products might be stored inside the concession stand. Councilman John Aschoff said he would check on and follow through with their questions.
It was confirmed they should assign one person to oversee all waivers for Summer Youth and that all waivers should be taken to each game. They talked about guidelines for social distancing during practice and while games are being played.
Aschoff confirmed the ball field to the north will be mowed so it can be used for practice while other teams are playing. Marvin Kumm said he is familiar with a grant that might help with ball field needs anywhere from $40 to $400,000 and said if Summer Youth has any requests, they should let him know.
Mayor Bessmer read the names of the Summer Youth coaches and their suggested pay for the 2020 season, as follows: Allie Aschoff, two softball teams – 12 and 14s, $800; Joel Kumm, two softball teams – 6 and 8s, $850; Monte Miller, two baseball teams – 6 and 8s, $1,000; Cameron Moes, one softball team – 10s, $425; Tom Schmit, one softball team – 16-18s, $475; Alan Steinkraus, two baseball teams – Junior and Senior Pee Wee, $850. Council members approved the pay schedule for the Summer Youth coaches as presented.
Park Board Report Given
Kumm reported that the park board’s recent meeting was held at the park. He said they were very pleased with the new matting. They asked when the new trash cans would be put out, when the new play equipment would be put together, if restrooms could soon be opened and, for the women’s restroom, they talked about installing doors on the bathroom stalls, possibly adding epoxy to the floor and to maybe install new counter tops.
He asked if the leaves could be cleaned out of the north shelter. It was suggested to hire a private individual to mow and trim the park area by the city auditorium. Kumm reported that a new flower bed was put in on the north side of the auditorium, with a $500 donation from Thrivent Financial paying for the flowers.
A second donation was received from Thrivent Financial for $1,250 which was applied to the cost of the shelter by the auditorium. The Mayor said he will confirm with New Frontier Insurance Agency on who is liable should anyone be injured while doing any of this work.
Kumm also reported that a grant is available for the purchase of or replacement of trees around town. A detailed report of the tree grant will be presented at next month’s meeting. Council members expressed appreciation to Marvin for all the work that he does.
Alley to be Vacated
Ron Riley asked the council to consider vacating the alley between his property at 304 W 2nd Street and Dr. Dave Jones’ property. He said
Dr. Jones has no concerns and is agreeable to the alley becoming part of Riley’s property. His designed plan would be to add on a two-car garage along the west side of his current garage. He said he also plans to build an addition onto the back of his home.
Mayor Bessmer confirmed that anytime an alley is vacated, half goes back to each owner. Council noted that Jones’ private sewer line is in the alley. Following discussion, council voted to vacate the alley and to ask the city attorney to create the necessary legal document(s) which would be presented to council for approval at their next meeting.
Pool Opening Date
Mayor Bessmer explained that Christiansen Construction Co. has requested an extension of the completion date of the swimming pool from May 28 to June 19. It was pointed out that some of the circumstances beyond their control causing delays were waiting on approval from the state electrical inspector, COVID-19 and some weather issues. Following discussion, the council approved the request for the extension of the contract.
It was reported that Christiansen Construction Co. had already reduced the total cost of CO Proposal No. 13 for paving by $500, but council still questioned the total cost. Council members approved the work to be done without a dollar amount, but for Wattier to further discuss with the contractor the pricing concerns and to reach an agreeable amount for payment.
Councilman Wattier said the proposed opening day for the pool is June 20, depending on weather conditions and/or any other delays in final construction. (Editor’s Note: as of Tuesday morning, an opening date of June 20 could not be confirmed.
Council members approved the change of Haven Schultze’s position to pool co-manager and her pay to $10.50 (first year) so the manager duties could be split among three people: Joan Kumm, Kayla Wingert and Haven Schultze.
Councilman Wattier presented an overview of several of the COVID-19 guidelines that relate to opening the swimming pool. The Mayor stressed making sure all CDC guidelines are followed closely.
Wattier reported that Haven Schultze is available to give swimming lessons with payment for the lessons to go directly to her. The lessons will be scheduled to also meet CDC guidelines. A request for a microwave and a refrigerator at the pool were denied. The request for shelving at the pool was approved.
Flood Discussions Held
Mayor Bessmer opened discussion on the next steps for flodd risk reduction action. Several members of the community were present and asked several questions. In JEO’s report from their recent drainage study of the City of Osmond, they outlined recommended actions and provided projects with estimated costs and recommendations for next steps.
Two of the projects discussed in more detail were Project 1 — Benefits Overview, and Project 5 — SouthweTwo of the projects discussed in more detail were Project 1 st and North Levees. Following a lengthy discussion, council members voted to move forward with a Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) study with the next step being a geotechnical investigation and preliminary design. City staff were asked to check with Lowell Schroeder of Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District (NENEDD) for available funding from NEMA for Project 5.
In response to a question regarding the FEMA property acquisition program for Osmond's floodplain area, it was explained, after the acquisition and demolition of a property, the property will be maintained as open space for the conversation of natural floodplain functions. There are other land uses such as parks for outdoor recreational activities, wetlands management or other uses FEMA determines compatible.
It was reported no FEMA funds from the March 2019 flood have been received since the last council meeting.
Other Items on Agenda
Councilman Neil Wattier asked to close the alley north of the tennis court to Second Street on the east side of the swimming pool. Following a brief discussion, it was decided the next step would be for Wattier to visit with the nearby landowners and get their opinions before any further action is taken.
Councilman Schmit reported that, if grant money is available for the city auditorium, Susan Norris said there is a strong possibility the city could get funding from a second grant to help with the city’s portion of the cost. It was agreed for Schmit to follow up and to move forward by getting a group of five people together to determine a building plan and its needs.
In other business, the council:
— approved the Special Designated Liquor License application from 3rd Street Bar and Grill for the Schmit wedding reception to be held at the Osmond City Auditorium on July 11, 2020.
— approved the Special Designated Liquor License application from Main Street Alley for the Hoffart wedding reception to be held at the Osmond City Auditorium on July 25, 2020.
— approved the Special Designated Liquor License application from Main Street Alley for the Moes wedding reception to be held at the Osmond City Auditorium on Aug. 1, 2020.
— approve payment to Christiansen Construction Co. for their Application for Payment No. 10 for the new pool in the amount of $50,198.00.
— agreed with the summary from Town & Country Insurance for annual coverage of the swimming pool quoted at $4,262; it was stated any questions should be directed to Lisa Schmit.
— authorized JEO Consulting Group to seek a grant from NHHS by completing the application to upgrade city maps to a Geographical Information System (GIS) for half of the town for a grant subtotal of $10,000 and city funding subtotal of $1,500; typically, a second grant is applied for about a year later to complete the second half of the city.
— authorized city staff to work with JEO Consulting Group to help complete the grant application for the 2021 Water and Sanitary Sewer System utility mapping with GIS.
— heard it stated there is no need to continue to run the ad for a city maintenance employee.
— heard Mayor Bessmer report the second half of the swimming pool grant has been received for $164,468.50.
— heard Mayor Bessmer report Police Chief Wells’ annual base pay is $55,000.00 with a $1,000.00 monthly stipend for insurance.
— heard a thank you note from Bill Ryan for the city taking care of the portion of Greg Lineback’s water usage for watering the city gardens.
— heard the following building permits reviewed: Paul Koehler, to install a pool and privacy fence at 614 West 5th Street; LaDonna Stanosheck, to erect a 12x16-ft. deck at 701 North Maple Street.
— heard Mayor Bessmer state city sales tax for March 2020 was $19,120.96.
