OSMOND — The Osmond City Council met Monday, March 11, in the conference room. During the meeting, several maintenance issues were discussed.
Maintenance employee Bert Wattier explained to council that, in December, one of the state employees had come to inspect the city dump and had discovered a few items had gone over the east berm of the dump along with grass clippings. The items were cleaned up but they are trying to figure out what needs to be done differently with the grass clippings as the biggest concern is contamination runoff into the water stream by the dump. Wattier stated maintenance employee Tom Kruse had tried contacting the state office four different times to try to resolve the issues but no phone calls have been returned.
Wattier went on to tell council members that, every weekend, there have been at least two to three residents put non-approved items up at the dump and/or on the wrong piles, even though there is a sign at the gate entrance of the dump that states what can be left there.
He mentioned they have started charging those residents extra on their bill for the time it’s taken to review the security camera footage and remove the unapproved items so the dump doesn’t get permanently shut down by the state. Wattier said there have been a few instances where they weren’t able to clearly identify a license plate, so the maintenance workers are hoping that a couple of the extra cameras from the police department can be installed up at the dump to help better identify vehicles/people. Police Chief Tyler Wells has contacted the Plainview telephone company to get Osmond on its list to get them installed.
Wattier then asked council for approval to purchase a backup camera for the skid loader. He said because of the cage and people on the street not stopping when they are trying to back up when clearing snow or working on a project, the camera would help keep everyone safer. Also, it is easily removable to take off the trade-in and put on a new rental. He also stated that the cost is roughly $600 from Kayton International. The council approved the purchase for the backup camera.
Zoning Change Approved
Before the meeting, a public hearing was held to receive public comments concerning an application of Osmond General Hospital for a change of zoning from C-3 (Town Center District) to MD (Medical Residential District).
The property is located at 104 and 106 East 4th Street. Clerk/Treasurer Brittney Timmerman informed council at the zoning meeting there was no opposition and with no further discussion, the hearing was closed and Ordinance No. 2024-1 making the change of zoning was passed and adopted. The ordinance is printed in this issue of the Osmond Republican and is also available at the city office.
Mayor Dennis Kuhl informed council that, because of a time constraint to keep moving forward on the purchasing of the lot, he needs council’s approval to sign all documents for the purchasing of the partial lot from Osmond General Hospital. The final paperwork will be complete before the next meeting, which will require a signature for purchasing. Mayor Kuhl was given the authority to sign the closing documents.
Kuhl informed council members that the cost of the partial lot will be $1,000 but with additional closing costs, it would be around $1,500. Since closing on the parcel will take place before the next meeting, he asked for and was given council’s approval to have Treasurer Timmerman cut a check to the title company. Treasurer Timmerman reminded council that, back when this all first started, they approved the funds to be taken out of the Electrical Operation Account, so she asked for them to clarify in the motion if they still wanted these funds to come out of that account, which they did.
Summer Youth Update Given Coach Alli Aschoff provided a report on the Summer Youth teams. Aschoff stated that there are 6U, 8U, 10U, 12s and 18U for the girls’ teams. Alli Aschoff will be coaching the following teams: 6U, 8U and 18U; Bailey Schmit coaching 10U; Joel Kumm coaching 12s. The 14s joined the Plainview softball team since they both were short on numbers but had enough together to make up a team.
For boys’ teams there are 6U, 8U and 10U. Lacey Bahr will be coaching 6U, while the 8U and 10U teams’ coaches are still being determined between Justin Koehler, Monte Miller and Tyler Gansebom.
Mayor Kuhl asked if Aschoff knew roughly how many boys and girls there were. She was unsure but thought there was maybe 10 on each team. She stated practice will begin the end of April and they plan to hold one baseball and softball tournament. Council told Aschoff they appreciate everything she is doing.
Discussion on the baseball field renovations was back on the agenda. After a brief discussion between council and Coach Aschoff, it was agreed that, since there are no older boys in the program, the extra bare infield could be seeded to grass. Council stated that the maintenance workers would be the ones to seed the extra bare infield.
FEMA Funds Still Coming
Cindy Hoffman reported that Rachel Hines with NEMAhad explained why there had been a six-month delay in receiving flood disaster funds and said Hines requested additional information on the street project, which was provided. NEMA then finally submitted this project to FEMA for payment. After payment for this final project is received within two to three months, Osmond's FEMA flood disaster request will be closed out with administration costs reimbursed at that time.
Treasurer Timmerman informed council the small loan taken out at the bank for the flood-repaired asphalt streets is now at $134,420.00 as of the previous Friday. With not knowing CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSES MAINTENANCE ISSUES how soon the FEMA money will be coming in, she asked if council wanted to make a payment on the loan.
She informed them the Highway Allocation funds for last month were $12,669.27 and asked if they wanted all of that to go towards the payment.
Council approved making a monthly payment of half the Highway Allocation funds, rounding to the nearest whole dollar, each month starting this month until the FEMA funds arrive.
Police Report Given
Police Chief Wells presented a report on recent activity within the city, including one report of horses out, three reports of unwanted people in house, one dog bite (dog deemed a potentially dangerous dog), one report of illegal dumping, one HHS home visit, to name a few. Chief Wells also informed council that he has been selected by the Nebraska Crime Commission for a NIBRS (Nebraska Incident Base Reporting System) audit.
Other Items on Agenda
The council adopted Ordinance No. 2024-2 Zoning Overlay District Floodplain Management Ordinance, which amends “Sections 2 of the “General Provisions” and 4 of the “Variance and Appeals Procedures” contained in Osmond Ordinance # 2022-5. A copy of the ordinance is available for inspection and distribu- tion at the city office.
Swimming pool applications were reviewed and Councilman Neil Wattier stated that the ad for lifeguards didn’t need to run as all of those from last year responded back to him they were going to return for this pool season except one employee. After reviewing all applicants, wages were suggested and approved at the follow- ing rates: Ella Gansebom (Manager) $17.00, Molly Beacom Timmerman (Assistant Manager) $14.75, lifeguards: Sophia Gansebom $11.50; Noah Geneski $12.50; Erin Wagner $11.25; Riley Wagner $11.25; Erin Aschoff $11.25; Jade Halsey $11.25. Mayor Kuhl reported that the Great American Cleanup Day will be held Friday, May 10, with a backup date of Monday, May 13. Maintenance employee Wattier stated they have almost everything gathered for the little projects they’ve put together for the cleanup day.
Treasurer Timmerman reminded council that coming up in November of this year additional payments may be made on the Pool Bond. After discussion was had, it was decided to contact the bond company once the time gets closer to see if that is something council will want to do.
In other business, the council: — postponed discussion on the Methodist street until the April 8 meeting since Mike Fink was not present to discuss it — heard Councilman Doug Schmit advise there is no change on the community sign project; the committee is still working on finding a new location for the current Osmond sign that’s located down by West-Hodson.
— determined that more thought needs to be put into regulating park benches and memorial benches, so this item was postponed till next month.
- heard Mayor Kuhl read a thank you from Nebraska Rural Water Association for the donation towards their equipment fund.
— reviewed the following build- ing permits and floodplain permits: Osmond Farm Supply, a scale and portable shed; Adam Lewon, addition onto existing garage; Bruce and Tamela King, horse barn.
- heard Mayor Kuhl state city sales tax for December 2023 was a total of $21,188.13 (of that amount $3,368.40 is from motor vehicle tax).
— went into closed session at 8:39 p.m. to discuss personnel matters.
— approved having maintenance worker Tom Kruse work through the month of November and use paid time off to cover his hours through December, and then be retired at the end of December 2024.
