Last evening we took action at the city council meeting to request a grant from DEEDS in the amount of $750,000. Our new city admin - Doug Reeder, was alerted to the possibility of this grant - and after researching the viability and possibility of getting it, has taken the necessary steps to acquire it.
At a recent Public Safety Advisory Committee - a Committee that I chaired for 2 years - votes unanimously to recommend attempting to secure this grant. The Council representatives to the Committee are Rick Weber and Allan Lindquist.
Last night - the vote at the Council was 3-2 - with Lindquist and Hartkopf voting against. I am still scratching my head on this one.
You all thought the overwhelming response on behalf of the city survey in support of the current structure of the Osseo Police Department was enough to convince Lindquist and Hartkopf that they residents wished for this to continue.
Mr Weber, Poppe and myself have been fighting to keep our budget and investments at a consistant level with long term growth in mind. Apparently they others still wish to take away Police Dept.
I stand behind my homepage post regarding my support of the Osseo way of life, and desire it to be a safe place to live well into the future.
I would appreciate your VOTE in November.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Election Filing just around the Corner. Yes, I will be running for re-election. I will be posting some facts, answering the criticisms, and the dishonesty, and continuing to give the citizens of Osseo the best return on investment for their tax dollars!
I will also be accepting donations for this re-election campaign - feel free to call if you are able to give - regardless of the amount. Any amount helps!
Feel free to contact me at drmarkschulz@gmail.com, at home 763-425-7457. You will have to leave a message as I am out representing or working so that I can give my Fair Share - lol
I will also be accepting donations for this re-election campaign - feel free to call if you are able to give - regardless of the amount. Any amount helps!
Feel free to contact me at drmarkschulz@gmail.com, at home 763-425-7457. You will have to leave a message as I am out representing or working so that I can give my Fair Share - lol
Sunday, March 4, 2012
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!
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!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
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
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
Saturday, December 4, 2010
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...
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...
Saturday, October 2, 2010
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.
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!
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!
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