New clerk hired for probation period; fireworks dependant on precipitation

OSMOND — The Osmond City Council met Monday, May 9, in the conference room. During the meeting, Mayor Dennis Kuhl informed the council the city has had one applicant for the clerk position. He said he has hired Sonja Kirchoff with a six-month probation period starting June 1. Kirchoff will start at $15 an hour as advertised in the newspaper advertisement.

City Audit Coming Up

Tracy Cannon with AMGL, P.C. out of Grand Island joined the council via phone to review the 2020-21 fiscal year audit. She explained the city’s requirements of the audit and that AMGL, P.C. plans to help with the budget meeting later this year. After a lengthy discussion, Cannon

After a lengthy discussion, Cannon said that some of the reporting issues the city has are still getting corrected from years past. She stated that the two major items that were pointed out during the audit have already been corrected by Treasurer Brittney Timmerman and Assistant Treasurer Cindy Hoffman, and she thanked them for addressing those so quickly.

Fireworks Discharge in Question

Fire Chief Calvin Gardner informed council that as long as the city continues to get precipitation weekly, the firework discharge will go on as normal. However, he stated that if precipitation doesn’t continue and the area goes through a major dry spell, the firework discharge for the 4th of July will have to be postponed countywide. Council asked Gardner to keep them up-to-date in the coming month so advertisement can be published to notify all residents.

Summer Youth Wages Set

Treasurer Timmerman provided council with the proposed 2022 wages for summer youth coaches as follows: Monte Miller, $550.00 per team; Joel Kumm, $475.00 per team; Allie Aschoff, $450.00 per team; Vanessa Steinkraus, $400 per team.

She asked council if they have ever considered putting a cap on the highest wage a coach can earn. Mayor Kuhl asked Councilman Dennis Haselhorst what his thoughts are and, after a brief discussion, Council approved paying wages as stated and capping the maximum wage earned at $550 per team. Mayor Kuhl asked council if they

Mayor Kuhl asked council if they have decided on paying mileage for coaches, which was discussed at previous city council meetings. Council voted to not pay mileage for the summer youth coaches.

Amy Moes asked if the T-ball field was going to be tilled up as promised. Councilman Haselhorst stated that, because of rocks and extra debris from snow removal in the area of the T-ball field, it would all need to be cleaned up before dirt work would start.

Moes informed council that the youth will not be playing on it until the field is tilled up and prepped. She stated that May 24th will be the first game day and asked for electricity to be turned on beforehand. She stated she appreciated all the work that has been done at the ball fields and appreciates everything council and the maintenance staff are doing. Pool Hours, Staff, Wages Set

Pool Hours, Staff, Wages Set

Councilman Neil Wattier informed council that there were only seven life guards who applied to work at the pool, three of whom applied for assistant manager positions. He stated that several people he reached out to for the manager position decided not to take the position, so he asked Caleb Eckstrom if he would consider taking the course. Wattier stated that Eckstrom accepted but had stipulations for his duties, which were worked out between the two of them.

Wattier provided the proposed 2022 wages for the seven life guards as follows: Molly Beacom Timmerman, co-assistant manager, $10.25; Macy Aschoff, co-assistant manager, $10.50; Ella Gansebom, co-assistant manager, $10.50; Hunter Beacom, life guard, $9.50; Tessa Gardner, life guard, $9.25; Sophia Gansebom, life guard, $9.00; Noah Geneski, life guard, $9.00. Council approved the wages as listed.

Councilman Wattier informed council that the pool hours will remain the same, but that the Family Pass will increase from $100 to $110. Council approved both the pool hours and the increase in the price of the family pass.

Wattier also informed council that Dawn Baue will be conducting swimming lessons again this year and is accepting 10 kids or less per group. The first 40-minute lessons will be held June 6 through 9, with a makeup date of June 10. The second dates for classes will be July 11 through 14, with make-up date of July 15.

Wattier informed everyone that the proposed pool opening date will be Sunday, May 22, and asked the advertisement be run once in the paper, which council members approved.

Septic System Costs Discussed

Councilman Dan Timmerman asked council to consider making current property owners and new properties owners responsible for all the septic system equipment from their house to the sewer main. He stated that, after discussion with the maintenance employees and finding out the cost of the septic pumps alone, it would take eight years to pay off. Most times, the pumps may last

Most times, the pumps may last around nine years and by then, the warranty has run out. After a brief discussion, it was decided the proposed ordinance shall state that the property owner for any new construction, including in South Osmond, will now be responsible for all of the septic system from the house to the sewer main. Any costs for replacement parts

Any costs for replacement parts or repairs on existing septic systems in South Osmond will now be the responsibility of the property owners. Clerk Timmerman informed council she will have the updated ordinance ready to be adopted at next month’s meeting.

Utility Supervistor Reports

Utility Supervisor Tom Kruse stated that he has been working with Stealth Broadband and Maguire Iron’s project manager to get a start date set for the water tower project.

He said Maguire Iron informed him that work in Osmond is set to start July 1, which he is concerned about because of the temperature and low precipitation during that month, and he asked if they could bump another project up and push Osmond back to mid-August to start the water tower maintenance.

During the dry months, lawns are being watered and usage is high. If the tower is down at that time, he is concerned the city wells may not be able to handle the demand. Council thanked him for the update.

Kruse informed council members that the Great American Clean Up Day is set for Monday, May 16, with a rain date of Thursday or Friday, May 12 or 13. Kruse stated that cleanup should only last till noon, so if it is held Monday, May 16, the kids will be done before the end of the school day.

Council Purchases Side-by-side

Mayor Kuhl brought back to council the topic of purchasing a side-byside to help in maintaining the ball fields. Kruse stated that, currently, the city maintenance staff has to use the lawn mower to drag the fields and they are afraid after a while it will ruin the lawn mower.

Kruse said they’ve discussed this year after year and it keeps getting turned down just like the skid loader, until they finally purchased one and it has been very beneficial to the community. After a brief discussion, Mayor Kuhl stated it would be paid using ¾ Keno funds and the other ¼ using the Northeast Power operations payment. Council members approved the purchase of a Polaris Ranger 1000 for the price of $16,500. In roll call vote, Haselhorst voted yea as long as it doesn’t use tax payer dollars.

Other Items on the Agenda

Lowell Schroeder, with Five Rule Planning, provided an update on the comprehensive plan and asked if there can be an informational meeting with the planning commission before the council meeting next month to obtain suggestions for changes to the zoning regulations for future city growth. Treasurer Timmerman stated she hopes to get the planning commission together for a meeting for Monday, June 13. Council thanked Schroeder for the update.

Clerk Timmerman informed Council that the original 2019-2 Ordinance-Resolution for Floodplain Management stated that the Municipal Utilities Superintendent would hold the position of the floodplain manager. Since a new floodplain manager has been appointed, Section 4.1 Designation of Floodplain Administrator needs to state as follows: The Mayor of Osmond or their designee is hereby designated as the community’s local floodplain administrator. Council members approved the change in wording for that section.

Jim Schmit returned to present his idea of a compromise on the closing of 6th Street topic. He proposed Plan B with the idea of developing a plan unit development on the north side of the street, giving an easement for the city and private drive for residents on the north and south side. After a brief discussion, it was decided that Schmit should include wording for the easement before a final decision is made.

Treasurer Timmerman asked for council’s approval to attend the 2022 Accounting & Finance Conference in Kearney June 15th through 17th. She stated that the total for the conference and luncheons would be $499, not including two nights hotel stay, mileage and other meal expenses. She informed them that she has to have 10 hours continuing education and hopes this conference will cover all the hours needed by the state auditor’s office. Council approved having Timmerman attend the conference and covering all expenses for it.

Cindy Hoffman updated the council on FEMA-related street repairs. While specifications have been written, she just learned an Opinion of Probable Cost has to be included in the Invitation to Bid. She advised she has contacted Steve Parr with JEO to provide that cost opinion and will let the council know if there will be any additional costs involved. Council gave approval for the project to move forward with Hoffman keeping them informed by email. They also approved running the Invitation to Bid ad for three weeks as required by city ordinance. In other business, the council:

— approved adding six weeks paid maternity leave to the personnel policy.

— approved the application for a Special Designated License as requested by Main Street Alley LLC, 3rd Street Bar & Grill and Thomsen’s Corner for a street dance on June 25, 2022.

— approved the application for a Special Designated License as requested by 3rd Street Bar & Grill for the alumni banquet on June 25th, 2022. heard a building permit to be reviewed was submitted by Northeast Power to add a generator to the substation on the north edge of town.

— heard Mayor Kuhl state city sales tax for February 2022 was a total of $15,497.04 (of that amount $3,855.26 is from motor vehicle tax).

— received a thank you from Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District for the city’s continued support of regional economic development efforts in Northeast Nebraska and a thank you from “Brian from Texas” for providing a reasonably priced place to stay for camping.

— heard Police Chief Wells present a brief report including a call for speeding on Logan Street, two burglar alarms, one possible child abuse case turned over to Health and Human Services and one suspicious vehicle.

—went into closed session for personnel matters

—approved a wage increase for Caleb Eckstrom of $1.00 per hour for the city’s new maintenance employee starting and a $0.50 per hour wage increase for accepting the pool manager roll to start on next month’s payroll.