Osseo Happenings

I see it has been a while since I posted to the blog. Alot has been going on - I will try to recap and talk about future things on the Horizon.

The City is currently looking into several options. The buzz words of the times are Shared Services. There was a pretty hard push by the Mayor and a Council Member to attempt to Share Policing with Hennepin County Sheriffs Dept. That is currently somewhere in Limbo as the motion did not pass to move on the issue, and apparently my lack of support for such a transition at the following meeting was insufficient to move ahead.

I did spearhead a study by the City when I was first in office, and the numbers did not support such a short or long term change with significant cost savings. The preliminary numbers came back as more expensive and the costs climbed higher than they had in the recent previous years. I would bet this topic to resurface within the next several months, as it is a community hot topic that people are very passionate about. Whenever a constituent comes to you and says that they would voluntarily be willing to pay additional taxes to support a program, I have found it prudent to listen.

The Osseo Community Survey is currently underway. The survey was commissioned by the council at recent meeting as a way to get an unbiased feedback from the community. Look for caller ID to read Decision Resources to validate this call.

One of the things that has frustrated me since my taking office was the Osseo rumor mill. You hear about things 2nd, 3rd, or 4th hand, when it would be much better for me to hear about it first hand. I CONTINUE TO ASK THAT ANY FEEDBACK ON ISSUES BE DIRECTED TO ME FOR CONSIDERATION. i appreciate the opportunity to present all sides of an issue for consideration, which I rarely get the opportunity to do. Comment on this blog, email to mschulz@ci.osseo.mn.us or calls directed to 763-425-7457 will be answered in as timely manner as possible.

Planning will start soon on the next fiscal year budget. I was quite pleased with our investment to Capital issues through our Capital Improvement Plan, and Financial Management Plan. We also are investing more money to decrease the eventual financial burden through unexpected financial assessments on Property Tax holders. the projects are currently planned out for several years. This will give the property owners of Osseo the chance to plan ahead to avoid interest on the improvements - there by saving them money. I will continue to push for the City to save the funds for the projects in advance, rather than issue bonds for the same reason. If we could give a little more up front - to avoid Interest and Fees associated with Capital projects - that is Money in the pockets of the City Of Osseo. My analogy is to save for the new TV vs putting it on credit card.

I will try to be a little more regular with this blog - also offering explanations as to voting whenever possible (sometimes in Government there are things you just have to keep confidential as to avoid the possibility of Litigation against the City).

Have a great March Sunday and I will be checking in with you all soon!

Public Hearings

On Dec 20th - hearings will be held regarding an impacting change within the City of Osseo.

Independent School District 279 has submitted a request for a Conditional Use Permit to move the OALC - an alternative format learing center for High School aged Youth into the now Vacant Osseo Elementary School.

The city leaders needs you to be vocal on this one. Please plan to be in attendance for the Planning Commission meeting - Dec 20th - 7p in the City Council Chambers at Osseo City Hall to give your feedback.

Please also pass this on the all who may be affected by this change - attendance needs to be good as to give an opinion one way or the other to the PC

Decenber 2010

It has been 2 months since my last post. Many things have transpired in Osseo. 1 new council member voted in, and one returns, and a New Mayor as well. Much contention regarding the new Mayor - but he managed a victory.

Budget is almost done and approved with a decent amount of Capital dollars devoted to keeping Osseo solvent into the future - was a part of Osseo's first ever Capital Improvement Plan - that is in year 135 of it's existence. We ordered work to begin on a Financial improvement plan as well. Our main budget decreased 3% including the new capital monies - but we are considering a levy that will amount to aroud 40$ on a 180k property - to pay for the Central Ave Project - after finding out that the payment for last year seemed to have been payed out of the contingency fund for the project. Good new is that is only for 1 year - then forecasts are for that levy to disappear.

Proud of the past year - had to tackle a few tough issues - but Osseo is in a good place moving into 2011. As usual - i am working toward the positive growth of our community. I know that everyone does not always agree with the decisions - but we hope to leave our city in a better place - with new businesses filling our storefronts.

Funny though - people have been saying through the election - Osseo needs a Pizza Place. I must say that we do have a great one already - Duffy's. Honestly one of the best thin crust Pizza's.

I continue to say - support local business every opportunity that you can. Please feel free to email me you thoughts. Respectful emails will certainly be given attention. Happy December...

Osseo Community Feedback or Small Group Meetings

I encourage any resident or business owner in the City of Osseo to share your views with me. I am open and will listen as a basis for an eventual decision on an issue. Feel free to contact me - email is the most direct - at

mschulz@ci.osseo.mn.us

or

Leave a message for me to return your call at 763-425-7457.

OALC

I am sure many resident know of the proposal of the School District to Relocate the Osseo Alternative Learning Center to the empty Osseo Elementary.

In this time of elections that can determine the fate - once again- of our city - it is important to get your opinion heard.

I encourage you to PUBLICLY share your views and candidate positions ( City or Board elections) that you know are either for or against the move in open forum. Matters from The Floor seems to be a good venue to express your concerns with the issues facing your way of life in Osseo.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Osseo Public Safety Committee

The Osseo Public Safety Committee met for the first time on Tues July 27, 2010.

This Committee was created to ensure more input and communication between the Police and Fire Departments, to share more information with the stakeholders in the City of Osseo, and to facilitate more citizen input and limited oversight into the policies and actions of the Public Safety departments.

Future meeting will be held the 3rd Tues of the Month through 2010 at 7p at City Hall.

Agendas are to be posted on the city website www.discoverosseo.com and all meetings are open to the public.

Committee Members and their contact info will be available soon on the City Website.

Osseo Elementary

The City of Osseo had issued a letter of Intent to ISD 279 to purchase the empty since Fall of 08 Osseo Elementary School amidst considerable Citizen feedback against the School Districts current plans to re-purpose the facility.

The City Council voted 5-0 to issue the letter. Why - many people feel that a better use for the property has already been expressed to the Board, one that would add to the future of Osseo vs the addition of another High School in a .9 sq mile town.

This opinion is especially passionate amongst the residents of the surrounding blocks whose real estate values could be further impacted by this move.

My thoughts - while now is not the time to add additional city obligations without an incredibly good reason - I feel that this is an incredibly good reason. One action that will bring new families to Osseo that could increase our home ownership v rental ratios, increase business, increase property values, and give Osseo what we need - a destination identity!

The Chair of the School Board and Superintendent Maguire have already sent me a response to an email stating that they do not wish to consider our offer - but have sent it to the Property Committee for Review - that CLOSED meeting is 7/22/2010 at 5p. Email me if you wish to receive copies of the correspondence from the District

Please send your appeal to the School board directly: schoolboardmembers@district279.org


How about your thought?!