OSMOND — The Osmond City Council met Wednesday, Jan. 10, after being rescheduled because of the weather. The meeting began with Mayor Dennis Kuhl announcing the following appointment for 2024: On the Library Board (two consecutive four-year terms): Denise Schmit (first term expiring 2028).
Grant Awarded
Mayor Kuhl advised that Joel Kumm and Alli Aschoff had worked with Treasurer Brittney Timmerman to apply for a grant through the Kansas City Royals Foundation. As a result, the City of Osmond was awarded matching funds of $9,250.00 to im- prove the baseball field with red dirt.
Treasurer Timmerman reported the original quote last year from K & J Elite Sports Turf was $18,573.00. The new quote is $20,435.00. After speaking with Jeremy Johnson of K & J Elite, he said they would honor the new quote as long as no changes to the plan are made.
They would not be able to complete this dirt work until after the 2024 baseball season. The matching funds would come from Summer Youth ($3,000.00), Osmond Community Foundation ($3,000.00), and the rest from the Keno fund.
Community Center Committee Sought
Clark Gansebom of the Osmond Community Foundation explained to the council that they have suf- ficient interest from the community and a possible donor or two for a new Osmond Community Center. They would like for the city council to appoint a committee of five to 10 people from the community to speak with the surrounding towns that have built community centers, do research, get plans drawn up, and investigate grants and other funding.
This committee should have a variety of ages so that all of Osmond is represented. The Foundation would help in fundraising. The building itself would be owned and maintained by the City of Osmond. After discussion, the council agreed to appoint a committee at the February council meeting.
Horse Shelter on Hold
Tamela King presented her and her husband’s understanding of the permit and flood proofing issues with their construction of a horse shelter. After some discussion, Mayor Kuhl stated that the city council cannot move forward with anything until all of the fees are paid.
Attorney Dennis Collins specified that all of this was brought about by beginning construction before the proper permits were obtained and approved. The city must follow its ordinance and the requirements of the national flood insurance program for everyone to receive a premium discount on their flood insurance.
If the city does not do this, it will cause the residents of Osmond to pay a significantly higher premium.
Attorney Collins also mentioned that Osmond's floodplain administrator, Heather McWhorter, is an expert in this subject and has offered several options to resolve this matter.
After further discussion, King stated that they would pay the fees in full. Administrator McWhorter thanked King for her cooperation. Treasurer Timmerman explained there are several steps to be done and advertising deadlines to meet.
If the fees were paid the next day, the earliest time for the public hear(Continued on CITY COUNCIL TO HELP WITH CENTER PROJECT
ing of the requested variance would be mid-February. Attorney Collins stated an executive session would not be needed.
Lawn Care Issues Discussed Councilman Dennis Haselhorst reported that the lawn care service last year included only pre-emergent weed control, grub and insect control, and fall fertilizing. Councilman Neil Wattier talked with R & M Lawn Care and said the quote does include the area around the pool.
Memorial Park is taken care of by members of the American Legion. The maintenance team takes care of the camper pad area. Councilman Haselhorst explained the current quote is for more treatments than were done last year, and R & M Lawn Care would give a different quote for only the items done last year if time allowed. Council agreed to postpone this item until the February meeting.
Resolutions Adopted
Mayor Kuhl introduced Resolution 2024-1: Installing Stop Signs at 5th and Logan. Treasurer Timmerman said that former Mayor James Bess- mer reminded the office staff that a resolution is needed to install any signs in the city limits. The resolution was passed and adopted. A full copy of the resolution will be included in the city minutes in a future issue of the Osmond Republican.
Mayor Kuhl also introduced Resolution 2024-2: Wellhead Protection Plan. Treasurer Timmerman explained that JEO prepared this plan in 2015 (at which time there were only two wells); however, it was never formally adopted. Brett Gieselman with the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy recommended that the council adopt this plan first and then update it to show all four city wells. The council passed and adopted the resolution.
City Clerk Pam Polenske stated Resolution 2024-2’s attachment, “Wellhead Protection Plan”, will be published in pamphlet form as it is 53 pages long. It will be available for inspection and distribution at the office of the city clerk.
Snow Removal Policy
Treasurer Timmerman explained that an advertisement on the city’s snow removal policy has not been done since 2020. There have been issues with vehicles not moved from the designated snow routes and residents blowing snow onto the street from their driveways.
Discussion followed on how to enforce this policy and how other towns handle this. It was decided that the advertisement as written would not be publicized. Instead, an advertisement on the city’s snow emergency policy will be prepared and publicized.
When a snow emergency is declared, all vehicles from every street will need to be removed. If this is not done in a timely manner, the vehicle may be towed. Councilman Haselhorst included that snow should not be piled up in front of mailboxes.
Lot to be Rezoned
Mayor Kuhl stated the lot purchase (on Fourth Street east of State Street) has not progressed very much. The city is still waiting on the nonrefundable deposit from Viaero before finalizing the purchase.
Treasurer Timmerman added Administrator McWhorter’s comments: Due to set-back requirements, the simplest way to accomplish everything would be to rezone the lot to medical before purchasing it.
Then a lot boundary change would be done during the purchasing process instead of a lot split. The zoning status of C3/Medical would allow the set-backs needed for the tower installation.
After discussion, council agreed with rezoning before purchasing; however, the deposit would still be needed before anything is done.
Other Issues on Agenda
Clerk Polenske described the next steps for the LENRD 2025 Hazard Mitigation Plan process. Osmond’s portion of the plan will need to be updated and state how it would integrate with local plan, and Neil Wattier or someone else would need to attend a workshop. More information will be coming from Elyzabeth Estrada with Integrated Solutions Consulting.
Treasurer Timmerman presented a purchase offer from Bruce Yosten for the two remaining light poles that were not sold in December. His offer is $100.00 per pole with the total being $200.00. The council accepted the offer of $200.
Councilman Doug Schmit expounded on the electronic sign status. Since funding from the Downtown Revitalization Grant will not be forthcoming, the committee received a new quote from Love Signs which was an additional $864 higher than the original bid. He asked the council if the city was willing to pay half of the increased price. Council approved having the city pay an additional $432 for the electronic sign installation.
Treasurer Timmerman asked council if they wanted to increase maintenance man Jason Willard’s wage now that he has completed and passed the required water and sewer classes. This has not been done in the past with other employees. After some discussion, council decided to not adjust his wage at this time but will take it into consideration at the December meeting.
Treasurer Timmerman advised she would be gone the entire week of Jan. 15, and possibly a portion of the following week. Clerk Polenske was scheduled be in the office all day on Jan. 15, 17 and 19, leaving the office closed only on Tuesday and Thursday, Jan. 16 and 18.
Police Chief Tyler Wells presented a report on recent activity within the city including one question on gun registration, one report of scam, one question on DOT laws regarding semis, one report of lost wallet, one report of dog at large, one case update from county attorney, one unlicensed vehicle, two owners asked to move vehicles from street, one theft case, one tampering case, one trespass notification, one assist Pierce County Sheriff's Office with drug case transport individual to Pierce and one DUI interlock question to name a few.
In other business, the council: — heard Treasurer Timmerman present the quarterly budget vs actual; all departments are on track.
— heard Mayor Kuhl state city sales tax for October 2023 was $21,457.28 (of that amount $2,787.350 is from motor vehicle tax).
— heard that correspondence received were holiday cards from Viking Industrial Painting and Northland Securities.
