July 2, 2018

Posted: July 2, 2018

Present: Holthaus, Beckman, Knutson, Langreck, Lienau.
Absent: None.
Don Dilaura, Mike Meyer and Zak Kriener from the Ossian Bee were present during the meeting. Natalie Knutson and Tanner Baumler were present during a portion of the meeting.

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

Officer Ward gave his police report citing a couple of incidents he was called to and also noted his involvement in numerous training functions.

Mayor Green reported Winneshiek County mayors met informally and will continue to do so to brainstorm ideas and share what is happening in their communities.

Lienau made a motion approving the following consent items: June 4, 2018 council minutes, clerk’s reports and the monthly bills, seconded by Langreck, carried.

Following discussion, Lienau made a motion setting the rate for individual paid for operating the sound and video equipment at the City’s pavilion in Carey’s Park at $15.00/hr, seconded by Beckman, carried.

Beckman made a motion approving the Crown Club’s request to use their park improvement funds to have a concrete pad installed along the full width of the back side of the pavilion, seconded by Holthaus, carried. For long term purposes, the Council suggested the Crown Club consider increasing the width of the pad to eight feet instead of the six foot being proposed.

Beckman made a motion approving the Urban Revitalization/Tax Abatement project submitted by Mark and Annette Zweibohmer making those improvements eligible for the tax abatement program, seconded by Knutson, carried.

Natalie Knutson and Tanner Baumler approached the Council to apply for a permit for the display of fireworks at 510 E. Main Street. Knutson explained the adjoining neighbors have all been contacted and did not oppose the event.

Baumler noted he has the training and will be the pyrotechnic operator.

Beckman made a motion approving a permit for a pyrotechnic display to Natalie and Dave Knutson and Tanner Baumler for July 6, 2018 at 510 E. Main Street with a rain date of July 8, 2018, seconded by Holthaus, carried with Knutson abstaining.

The results of televising a storm at 108 E. Brooks Street was discussed. The concrete portion of the line looks good. It is anticipated that a joint(s) has shifted and is sucking in dirt. In lieu of replacing the entire pipe, it was the consensus of the Council to make the repairs to seal the joint(s).

Lienau told the Mayor and Council the Community Center’s meeting room was recently painted by a group of volunteers and asked the Council to consider banning any temporary or permit items from being attached to the ceiling or walls. Lienau went on to explain because the meeting room is used for many family functions it would seem appropriate to keep the room free of signs, etc. pertaining to organizations or groups using the facility. The organizations using the facility should be able to display literature, etc. on tables, stands, etc. and then remove it after their event. If the City would have room to accommodate storing some of these items we could try and do so. It was the general consensus to conclude the discussion at the August 6, 2018 meeting.

The topic of a city-wide fall clean-up day was discussed. It was decided to finalize a date when the city-wide fall garage sale date was set. Once the date is established information will be sent to Ossian residents.

The Council suggested contacting additional carpenters asking if they were interest in submitting a cost estimate to make the repairs to the city buildings that were damaged by hail.

Holthaus made a motion to approve building permits for applications submitted by Jeff Schissel and Robyn Dundee, second by Lienau, carried.

A general discussion included; minor improvements needed in the community center meeting room, video screen for the pavilion, lettering and restroom signage for the community center building and the curbing style in Military Trail Estates.

Lienau made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Langreck, carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:45 pm.