May 4, 2020

Posted: May 4, 2020

Present: Holthaus, Goltz, Langreck, Knutson, Lienau.
Absent: None.
Don Dilaura was also present at the meeting.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, Mayor Beckman called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm.

Mayor Beckman announced the public hearing for the FY2019/2020 Budget Amendment was open for comments. There were no oral or written comments made. After which Mayor Green closed the public hearing.

Pat and Sherry Boe addressed the Mayor and Council explaining a plan to operate a food truck in the community. They noted State health guidelines will be followed along with requirements set out in the City’s Code of Ordinances. Their initial plan is to operate from the parking lot of South Winn Veterinary Clinic and serve coffee/coffee drinks, light breakfast items and “take away” lunches. A formal approval will be submitted to the City when their plans are finalized.

Bill Nelson, engineer for Military Trail Estates, updated the Mayor and Council on the status of the subdivision noting the underground utilities, gas, electric, water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer are all in. The roadway has a good base and is now ready for paving, curb and gutter. The Council confirmed with Nelson that the City still plans to be responsible for approximately 150ft of concrete paving starting at the Jessie/Brooks intersection. Nelson reminded the Council the subdivision streets will be overlaid with black top with the curb and gutter being concrete. The City’s portion of the project will also be completed by the contractor hired by the military Trail Estates developer.

The Mayor and Council reviewed the submitted March police report.

Mayor Beckman’s report included: attended EOC meetings in April, Canadian Pacific Railroad will be installing a communication tower near Hall Street along Bothel Avenue; Vinton Tuckpointing is scheduled to start work on the old city hall building in the weeks to come; there will be a new attorney handling the 209 Fisher Avenue nuisance; Hwy 52 project timeline; an upcoming informational meeting regarding the Soo Green HVDC Link; the donation of liquid sanitizer from Farmers Union Cooperative.

Lienau made a motion approving the following consent items: April 4, 2020 council minutes, clerk’s reports and the monthly bills, seconded by Holthaus, carried.

Holthaus made a motion approving Resolution #633, a resolution amending the current budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020 seconded by Lienau. Whereupon the Mayor put the question on the motion and the following named Council Members voted:
Ayes: Knutson, Lienau, Langreck, Goltz, Holthaus.
Nays: None.
Whereupon the Mayor declared said motion carried and the resolution adopted.

Lienau made a motion approving Resolution #634, a resolution amending the City of Ossian’s Employee Handbook concerning health insurance coverage, seconded by Knutson. Whereupon the Mayor put the question on the motion and the following named Council Members voted:
Ayes: Knutson, Lienau, Langreck, Goltz, Holthaus.
Nays: None.
Whereupon the Mayor declared said motion carried and the resolution adopted.

Knutson made a motion approving Resolution #635, a resolution authorizing the transfer of funds for the payment of debt principle and interest, seconded by Lienau. Whereupon the Mayor put the question on the motion and the following named Council Members voted:
Ayes: Knutson, Lienau, Langreck, Goltz, Holthaus.
Nays: None.
Whereupon the Mayor declared said motion carried and the resolution adopted.

Discussion of the 2020 ICAP Grant was tabled.

Lienau made a motion setting a public hearing for June 1, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. regarding a video franchise with Ace Telephone Acentek), seconded by Goltz, carried.

Lienau made a motion approving building permits for applications submitted by Lisa Anderson, Christian Doerring, Joe Kriener, Randy Teslow, Martin Fischer, Terri Wenthold, Larry Meyer, along with Gordon Oakland pending his submittal of additional information, seconded by Langreck, carried.

Street repairs for FY2020/2021 was discussed. With road use tax revenues being impacted by the COCID-19 pandemic it was the consensus of the Council to prioritize which repairs needed are essential and the estimated costs before a decision is made.

Holthaus made a motion approving the Urban Revitalization/Tax Abatement project submitted by Joe Kriener, making those improvements eligible for the tax abatement program, seconded by Lienau, carried.

Langreck made a motion approving a Cigarette Permit, effective July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021 for Casey’s General Store, seconded by Lienau, carried.

Lienau noted it was suggested to her the Council consider freezing employee wages during this virus pandemic. Following discussion, the consensus of the Council was freezing wages would not be considered at this time as the fiscal year wage increases would have little impact on the budget.

Holthaus made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Lienau, carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:00 pm.