OSMOND — The Osmond City Council met Monday, June 10, at the city conference room. During the meeting, Mayor Dennis Kuhl informed the council he has hired Keely Springer as the new city clerk. After some discussion, the council voted to pay Keely Springer $14.00 per hour with a start date of June 17, 2024.
Wellhead Maps Updated
David Schroeter with Nebraska Rural Water Association presented the updated Wellhead Protection Area maps that were prepared by Connor McFayden, with Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy.
He also updated the contaminant source inventory and the map of the Department of Natural Resources registered wells in the area. After reviewing these documents, it was also mentioned that some of the steering committee members would need to be replaced as some are no longer with the city.
It was decided that Sam Capps will be replaced with Connor McFayden; Bernice Blecha replaced with Brittney Timmerman; Bill Hansen replaced with Caleb Eckstrom, and Mike Olson replaced with Jason Willard.
The council adopted the changes to the Wellhead Protection Plan. Schroeter reminded council that this is fully funded by the USDA from communities paying their dues to the NeRWA.
Softball Power Issues Addressed Maintenance employee Bert Wattier brought to the Council a quote from Bauer Underground and TMT Electric, Inc. to install another breaker box at the softball field to alleviate the power shutting off during games. He stated that with the lights and everything in the concession stand pulling from the 200-amp breaker, all the roasters that were plugged in pulled over the 200 amps. Installing the second breaker box would allow one box to run the concession and one to run the lights.
With the combined quote coming in at $8,930, Councilman Haselhorst recommended replacing the breaker switch and seeing if that fixes the is sue for the ball season. After further discussion it was decided to replace the breaker switch to get by for this ball season and budget the $8,930 repairs for next fiscal year.
Vacant Properties Discussed Regarding vacant properties, Clerk Brittney Timmerman informed council that two of the properties on Logan Street will be removed by the end of July. She asked if the owner of a house located along Maple Street had been contacted due to several phone calls of the front door being blown open and no one living there. Mayor Dennis Kuhl said he would contact the property owner to find out the future plans of the property.
Timmerman also asked for an update on a third property on Logan Street that should be in the condemning process. Kuhl stated he’s talked to the owner and he plans to fix up the house and doesn’t want to have to demolish it. Councilman Doug Schmit mentioned someone may be interested in purchasing it if he would ever want to sell it.
Library Intern Hired
Treasurer Timmerman informed council that Library Director LaVail Aschoff had received a $500 grant to help hire a summer intern to assist with Summer Reading. She stated after contacting the auditor it was decided to hire the intern as contract labor for a stipend of $500 and asked if council would consider adding half of her stipend to this month’s claims list and paying the second half in July.
Council agreed to hire Lillian Gansebom for a stipend of $500 for the summer with half being paid in June and the second half being paid in July.
Future Budget Discussed Some items discussed for next fiscal year's budget were new city office computers, new/used straight truck to replace the old red one that has no power steering, and a future patrol car.
It was suggested by Police Chief Tyler Wells to possibly budget $10,000 each year for four or five years and set the money aside in another account to purchase a new patrol car in the future.
Other items discussed was the electrical for the softball field and increasing the budgeted amount for street patch. Councilman Schmit also suggested the city start the search for a new engineering firm and requested it b e on next month's agenda.
FEMA, NEMA Payments Received Cindy Hoffman reported that two fi nal payments from FEMA and NEMA have been received in the amounts of $17,956.58 and $25,721.32. These represented the last remaining projects to be paid so no more funds will be received from damages caused by the flood in 2019.
Cindy was happy to report all projects have been closed and all paperwork will be boxed up and moved into storage. The total received for all flood reimbursements came to $507,729.12. Mayor Kuhl and council members thanked Mrs. Hoffman for
all the work and perseverance she put into acquiring those much-needed
disaster funds.
Police Report Given
Police Chief Wells presented a report on recent activity within the city, including one DHHS home visit for an out-of-control juvenile, one update on a welfare check, one erratic driver complaint and one eviction process questions answered to name a few. Wells also stated the statewide radio system is now installed in the patrol car.
Other Issues Addressed
Mayor Dennis Kuhl stated there was an emergency item that needed to be added to the agenda to meet a deadline. Reiman Coffee Company is requesting a Special Designated Liquor License for the Chrome and Smoke Truck Show on June 29 and 30. The item was added to the agenda, and the council later approved the application for a Special Designated
License as requested. Resident Mike Enevoldsen ad dressed Council about the lack of handicap accessible sidewalks in the community. After much discussion was had, Council thanked him for his concerns and will work in future projects to provide more handicap accessible sidewalk approaches.
Treasurer Timmerman informed council that Councilman Neil Wattier has hired Brayden Shearer as a lifeguard subtitute for the pool, with a suggested wage of $13.00/hour.
The council agreed to set his wage at $13.00 per hour.
Included in their council packets were the General Checking statement and reconciliation for April 2024, for review. Mayor Kuhl pointed out another check was cut with only one signature to the City of Osmond for a DHHS payment on an RVS account.
Treasurer Timmerman went over results from the bank's audit checklist for fraud and loss prevention. She stated she is monitoring the City's account daily to verify the approved expenses, since one check is still lost in the mail but has since been voided.
In discussing that month's claims, Treasurer Timmerman reported one claim check was not cut due to unsatisfactory performance. Councilman Schmit will be in touch with the vendor before any payment is sent out. In other business, the council: - heard Mayor Kuhl state city sales tax for March 2024 was a total of $17,891.35 (of that amount $3,740.57 is from motor vehicle tax).
— went into closed session to discuss personnel matters.
