Street improvement district fails; police officer hired

OSMOND — The mayor and city council met at the city auditorium on Monday, May 11. The meeting included a hearing regarding the sufficiency of any objections to the creation of Street Improvement District No. 2020-1, Fourth Street from Main Street to Dakota Street. Mayor Bessmer turned the meeting over to City Street Superintendent Steven Parr of JEO Consulting Group, Inc. Parr reviewed the process of the project and stated the project failed according to written objections received and filed at the city clerk’s office. The objections based on the front footage totaled 700, or 51.47%.

A lengthy discussion followed, with council expressing concerns about drainage and cost of the project. They talked about why the paving needs to be higher than the adjacent property and to create a storm sewer instead is just too costly.

It was explained that the flood damage to this two-block area of streets has been submitted to FEMA and, at some point in time, the city should receive some state and federal funding to make improvements equal to what it was prior to the flood. Since there were no further comments or questions, the hearing was closed. The council approved Resolution No. 2020-5, which repeals Street Improvement District 2020-1 after objections of more than 50%.

No action was taken on addition of storm sewer to street improvement district, and no action was taken on the 2020 Street Improvement Project bid from A&R Construction Co.

Drainage Study Report Given

The Mayor reported on the Osmond Drainage Study. Since the last city council meeting, project five, a southwest levee, was added for consideration. A landowner asked to be more involved with the NRD and the study since his property is on the southeast side of Osmond and it could be impacted greatly by any changes made to drainage.

Ann Nissen, project engineer of JEO Consulting Group, Inc. will be notified to work with him to address this issue. Council will ask the NRD to determine the amount of financial assistance they could provide for building levee projects four and five and to also seek options for another means of funding to help with the city’s part to cover the remaining amount.

Pool Employees Hired

Councilman Neil Wattier reported on applications received for job openings at the city pool, and council members approved reimbursing managers for their training with the reimbursement for lifeguard training to be determined at the end of the season. The following are pool employees, their positions and hourly salaries: Manager Joan Kumm, $11.50, third year; Co-manager Kayla Wingert, $10.50, first year as co-manager; lifeguards — Haven Schultze, $9.50, third year; Ashley Wingert, $9.50, third year; Kennedy Johnson, $9.25, second year; Macy Aschoff, $9, first year; Hunter Beacom, $9, first year; Grace Gansebom, $9, first year; Karter Johnson, $9, first year.

It was reported COVID-19 rules recommend not to open pools until July 15. If opening is before that date, social distancing and the 10-person rule would be in effect. The construction work at the new pool should be complete by the end of this month.

Other Issues Discussed

Councilman Dan Timmerman suggested lowering water rates for the months of June and July to help the many homeowners planting a garden this year and he thought it might also cause more people to water their lawns which would help to keep Osmond looking very welcoming. After giving consideration to the difference in the annual dollar amount, it was agreed not to make a change.

Councilman Doug Schmit said he visited with Susan Norris, director of Pierce County Economic Development, about grant funds for repairs to the city auditorium and the city offices. He reported she felt confident some funding would be available. He also reported another family had mentioned they might make a significant donation toward repair of the city offices. Mayor Bessmer asked Councilman Schmit to, once again, meet with Susan and get more detail on the funding.

Councilman John Aschoff asked what action should be taken regarding unlicensed junk vehicles around town. It was decided to run an ad in the local paper regarding unlicensed and abandoned vehicles. The names of the owners of these vehicles should be turned in to the city office so a “Notice of Removal” letter can be sent out.

Mayor Bessmer introduced Resolution 2020-6 requesting approval to submit the Osmond Disaster Recovery Homebuyer Assistance application to the Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Cindy Hoffman explained that the proposed project will assist qualified homeowners who were impacted by the March 2019 flood event and who have committed to participate in the 2020 Osmond Flood Mitigation Project. The project target area is located between the south side of Highway 20 and the North Fork Elkhorn River. Council members adopted the resolution.

Mayor Bessmer asked if anyone had any interest in serving as a representative on the Council of Officials for the Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District (NENEDD). Since there were no volunteers, he said he would check with Jim Schmit to see if he might be interested.

Hoffman asked for approval to publish an ad to promote use of available housing rehabilitation funds. She said those that had been on the waiting list, dropped out. If the city does not have an applicant by the end of June, they will lose the funding. Permission was granted to run the ad.

Hoffman went on to say she talked to FEMA earlier in the day and, at this time, they have not made any requests for additional information on the submissions for streets. There has been no indication of when they might obligate the street requests.

Councilman Aschoff reported the company in the process of removing the tile flooring from the front area of the city office determined that the tile in the back room also contains asbestos and it would be an additional $600 to have it removed. Council approved the $600 expenditure to remove the flooring tile in the conference room.

Thank You Letter Read

Hoffman read a thank you letter from Ashley Wingert saying how impressed she was a year ago upon entering city hall for her sister’s graduation and seeing how neat and clean it was to host a reception. Then, because of COVID-19, she had to cancel her reservation to use the city hall for her graduation this year. In turn, she made a $150 donation to express her appreciation asking for part to go to the new pool and part to the person who cleans the city hall. Council asked for $50 to be paid to April Doyle and $100 to be recorded under pool donations. The Mayor then asked to get permission from Ashley to publish her letter in the Osmond Republican.

In other business, the council:

— heard that Tyler Wells of Plainview has been hired to fill the position of Osmond’s Police Chief, starting on June 1, 2020.

— approved allowing Fly by Night fireworks to be sold in Osmond from June 25 through July 4, 2020.

— approved payment to Christiansen Commercial Contracting, Inc., dba Christiansen Construction Co. for their Contractor’s Application for Payment No. 9 for the new pool in the amount of $126,511.20.

— reviewed the following building permits: Steve Denn to erect a pergola; Raymond Gubbels to move a building out of Osmond to the farm; Austin Harrison to erect a front porch; Jake Klein to erect a shed; Steve Lind to move a building into Osmond; Montana Miller to install a wood fence; Wyatt Schuettler to erect a new home; Jessica Martin and Sean Vogel to alter a single car garage.

— heard Mayor Bessmer state that city sales tax for February 2020 was $14,137.20.

— entered into closed session at 9:04 p.m.

— agreed to run an ad to accept applications for a maintenance employee.