OSMOND — The Osmond City Council met Monday, March 10, in the conference room. Numerous items were discussed by the council, including vacant properties and pool fees.
Vacant Property Update
An update on vacant properties was held. Mayor Kuhl said he had received written confirmation that one property was being sold and the new owner planned to remodel it as a rental property. Since the former deadline on making repairs or tearing down this building was March 31, council agreed to give the new owner sufficient time to get that property restored to livable condition.
Two other property owners are ask- ing the fire department to burn their structures. Mayor Kuhl advised he was seeking State Fire Marshall approval on one of those structures before the local fire department would agree to burn it. Council was pleased with the progress being made on eliminating or improving vacant buildings this year.
Pool Fees Increase Councilman Neil Wattier said that, with the increase in salaries and expenses, he feels it is necessary to increase swimming pool fees this year. He proposed changing the Family Season Pass from $110 to $125 and Individual Season Pass from $55 to $60. Individual Daily admission will remain $5.
Wattier will also take care of changing the sign prices and may move the sign inside the lobby area to prevent vandalism. The council approved the fee increases as requested.
Wattier advised he has six applications and is hoping to get three more from people he has spoken to individually. He does not want to set wages until other towns have set theirs. The employment ad will not be run again until he hears from the people he has already talked to.
Other Items Discussed
The citywide Cleanup Day is set for Thursday, May 15, with an alternate bad weather date of Monday, May 19. Bert Wattier said he will coordinate with the school and have all supplies and paint ready for the cleanup day.
Mayor Dennis Kuhl informed the council that he has already received three applications for the maintenance position and has heard from others who plan to apply. He does not think the advertisement needs to run again so it was agreed the last ad would run on March 12.
Caleb Eckstrom is the city’s only licensed water operator at this time. The state requires at least two licensed people be listed as water operators for a municipality. Bill Hansen has agreed to serve as Osmond’s backup operator.
Councilman Dennis Haselhorst said there is no new information on the cemetery directory for the city cemetery. He thinks the committee will be meeting soon with any new information to be shared at the April council meeting.
By-laws for Pierce County Economic Development were received shortly before the council meeting with VACANT PROPERTIES, POOL FEES DISCUSSED BY CITY all council members receiving a copy. Council will review the by-laws. There was no new detailed quarterly report.
After meeting with Viaero, the route for boring in the cables from the tower north of the school to the new tower on 4th Street was determined, with work to begin as soon as possible.
Mayor Kuhl stated city sales tax for December 2024 was a total of $14,730.95 (of that amount $2,088.98 is from motor vehicle tax). The mayor also reported that $5,263.56 was received from Fastwyre for 2024 franchise fees.
Mayor Kuhl informed the council that the new deed showing the city as owner of the McClain donated land has been received.
Police Chief Tyler Wells presented a report on recent activity within the city, including one report of trespassing, one dog barking complaint, one gun permit, and one assist Plainview Police Department with a pursuit, to name a few. Chief Wells also informed council that he had attended a Zoom meeting on LB1184.
