OSMOND — The Osmond City Council met Monday, Aug. 12, and discussed a number of items, including water and sewage expenses, Stealth Broadband and ball field issues.
Water, Sewage Expenses Reviewed
Randy Hellbusch with Nebraska Rural Water completed a rate study for both the water and sewer departments.
He provided in both departments an average expense total over a three-year fiscal period to figure out where the city’s current rates would need to be to cover its expenses.
In the water department, the average expense came out to be $214,477.06 and the current income is $181,201.75.
An increase of $4.75 to the base rate and an increase of $0.35 to the perthousand charge would be needed to have an income of $216, 281.10.
Looking at the sewer departments average expense came out to be $112,904.59 with an income of $85,152.00. With nine different classes of charges for sewer the increases are, in order, as follows: Residential Single, $5.00; Residential 2+, $7.00; Light Commercial, $7.00; Medium Commercial, $11.50; Heavy Commercial, $16.10; Light Industrial, $10.75; Medium Industrial, $45.50; Heavy Industrial, $52.75 and Multiple Family (apartments), $4.50.
An increase in each of those departments would help increase the income to $113,189.40. Mr. Hellbusch mentioned the possibility if council so chooses to do the increases that he would be able to put together an ordinance that would allow them to spread the increase over a few years to help take the burden off some of the residents. Council thanked him for all his help with the study and will take this information into consideration.
Later in the meeting, the council adopted Ordinance 2024-3, “An ordinance of the City of Osmond, Nebraska, to repeal, void and nullify the existing water service rates in said city and to establish new rates for water service within said city, and to repeal all ordinances in conflict therewith." A true, correct and complete copy of the Ordinance is available for inspection and distribution at the city office.
Stealth Broadband Franchise Coming
Klint Arnold with Stealth Broadband informed council that their company will be coming into town to install fiber optics to every residence in town. Once that is complete, the antenna on the water tower will come down. He stated that a franchise agreement will be mailed to the office for review and approval at a council meeting. Final engineering maps will be dropped off at the office once the project starts and they estimate it will take approximately three weeks.
Truck Show to Expand in 2025 Kris Schramm and Taylor Buchholz with Chrome and Smoke Truck Show committee came to ask permission to use the area north of the softball field, where the mud volleyball was, for additional parking for next year’s truck show.
They explained that word spread about how great the event was for CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSES WATER, SEWER EXPENSES
them this year and have heard of more trucks that hope to come next year. They also talked about the possibility of adding more power source down at the baseball outfield and help ing cover the cost to allow vendors with access to power.
After a bit more discussion, the council approved letting the committee use the mud volleyball area for the truck show.
Baseball Field Renovations Coming
Summer Youth coach Alli Aschoff requested an update on the status of the baseball field renovations. Clerk Brittney Timmerman informed her that last week the city had received an email from the contractor that the project would start mid to late Au- gust, as they were finishing up other projects before moving to Osmond’s.
After more discussion was had about the renovations, Aschoff mentioned that they would like to be a little more involved when the projects start. Mayor Dennis Kuhl acknowledged the request and will be in contact with them once that time comes.
Coach Aschoff went on to say that Summer Youth is considering purchasing their own picnic tables to avoid miscommunication between them, maintenance and a council member when they are needed. Council thanked Aschoff for her dedication to Summer Youth.
Economic Development Expenses Explained
The Pierce County Economic Development Board approached the council about the reason for increasing dues that are to be paid for next fiscal year. With recent budget cuts at the county level, they are asking for an increase from $3 per capita to $4 for fiscal year 2024-25 and then increasing to $5 during fiscal year 2025-26. An interlocal agreement will be emailed to the City office and brought before council for approval at next month’s meeting.
More Conversation Held on Vacant Properties
After a recent conversation about the condemning process of vacant properties in town between CityAttorney Dennis Collins, Mayor Kuhl and Clerk Timmerman, it was decided to bring new information back to council to reconsider the process.
Clerk Timmerman informed them that to involve the Health Board for condemning it would require the City Attorney to be involved in the ninestep process and each property would have $2-5,000 in attorney fees.
She explained that the attorney would need to be part of each step of the process because of any legal issues that may arise. After some discussion about the different options for the vacant properties, it was decided to hand deliver a letter to each property owner stating improvements needed and give them 60 days to get into compliance.
Council Approves Truck Purchase
Maintenance employee Bert Wattier brought information on a dump truck found locally within 30 minutes from Osmond. According to Wattier, there’s a landscaping company selling the truck, which had done some repairs to the truck and it would require the maintenance employees to put new sides on to be able to use it for snow removal.
Treasurer Brittney Timmerman asked if anyone had test driven it and Wattier said yes. He added that the company was originally asking $22,000 and he was able to get it down to $18,000.
Treasurer Timmerman mentioned there's a cushion left on this fiscal year’s budget if needed, but was unsure what account council would want the money to come out of since there isn’t a big cushion in General Checking. Mayor Kuhl reminded council that the money from the Viaero tower should be in this month and help cover the expense. Council members approved purchasing the truck for $18,000 and approved hav ing Treasurer Timmerman cut a check that same week.
Other Matters Discussed
Joanne Ekberg, apartment manager for West Side Apartments, asked council to reconsider their decision to not pay for the dirt bill that was brought before council last month. After some discussion her request died when no motion was made to pay the bill.
After reviewing the updates to the old Hazard Mitigation Plan, Clerk Timmerman informed council that she is still in the process of verifying all changes were made and will respond back to the company doing the updates. Council approved the updated HMP with any necessary corrections found by Clerk Timmerman. Council members approved Resolution 2024-5 authorizing the Mayor to sign the Municipal Annual Certification of Program Compliance 2024 form.
After some discussion was had about Resolution 2024-6 in regards to how long campers and any one tenting can stay at the park, Clerk Timmerman asked council if they wanted to put a maximum time allotted for the year. Council decided to change it from three months to five months. Council approved Resolution 2024-6 setting a time limit on camping and tenting at Poolside Park.
Councilman Doug Schmit gave an update on a new possible location for the community sign. The committee has contacted Love Signs to verify if the northwest corner of the Purina building of Osmond Farm Supply would work with highway regulations. Updates will follow at next month’s meeting.
Council reviewed the Request for Proposal that will be sent out to differ- ent engineering firms. Clerk Timmer man asked council if they were okay with proposals being submitted to the City office by Friday, Oct. 11, by 1 p.m. and reviewed by council at the Oct. 14 meeting, with final decision being made at the Nov. 13 meeting. All council members approved.
During last month’s meeting two blocks were added to the six-year street plan. Clerk Timmerman asked council to review and approve the six-year street plan with those changes added. All of Council approved the additions.
Mayor Kuhl brought before council a request from Lind-Gubbels, Inc. to remove the fire hydrant in front of their new building. Kuhl stated he has already spoken to the Emergency Director, Rural Fire Board and the local fire chief, who all gave the okay for it to be removed. Council members approved letting Lind-Gubbels Inc.
remove the fire hydrant at their own cost with no cost to the tax payers.
Councilman Wattier brought before council moving all regular meeting times up to 6:30 p.m. to avoid late night meetings. After some discussion, the council voted to switch all meeting times to 7 p.m. starting in October. Clerk Timmerman informed council that she will check to verify that this change doesn’t need to be passed by ordinance or resolution.
Concerns of violations to the golf cart ordinance was brought before council and after a lengthy discussion, Police Chief Tyler Wells informed council if issues keep arising, he will enforce the ordinance more.
Treasurer Timmerman informed council that the audit is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 23. She then went through the budget for FY 2024-25 with the council and will pass the additional budget items onto the city auditor to receive updated worksheets for the budget workshop. The budget workshop was scheduled for Monday, Aug. 19, at 6 p.m. It is not open to the public, however there will be a budget hearing next month if the public would like to attend.
Treasurer Timmerman asked council if they are okay with setting the budget hearing for next month’s meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept.
9, with the regular meeting to follow.
Council members all agreed. Before claims were approved, Councilman Doug Schmit questioned a claim for True Ag and Turf for the purchase of a new/used mower. Treasurer Timmerman commended Schmit on finding the fake claim test for the quarter and explained to council that any single purchase that is $2,000 or greater must have been approved by council before purchasing. She reminded council each quarter there will be a fake claim test to help them understand how to locate fraudulent claims.
Police Chief Wells presented a report on recent activity within the city including two parking complaints, one assist Nebraska State Police with information, one dog barking complaint and one illegal dumping questions, to name a few. He also reported he passed his Crime Commission audit.
In other business, the council: — after a lengthy discussion about salaried employee’s holiday hour pay, approved allowing salaried employees to be paid eight hours on top of any hours already worked on a holiday; this change will be added to the personnel policy.
— approved the application for a Special Designated License as requested by Main Street Alley for a wedding reception on Sept. 7 at the city auditorium.
— heard Clerk Timmerman present the following building permits: Erin Mann, putting in a chain link fence and David Sonier, putting up a garage/shop.
— heard Mayor Kuhl state city sales tax for May 2024 was a total of $14,558.97 (of that amount $1,343.91 is from motor vehicle tax).
— heard Treasurer Timmerman read correspondence from Linda Gutz on a donation for picnic tables.
