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DeAun Michael/Herald-Chronicle
DeAun
Michael | Reporter
OSAGE CITY—The Osage City Council took a walk in the park
at its regular meeting May 27, in addition to touring several other
city facilities to review conditions and needs of city-owned properties.
The tour was planned to assist in making decisions for the capital
improvement project budget presented to the council for approval
later in the evening. The tour began at the community building that
is currently undergoing interior renovations. Additional proposed
renovations include flooring improvements and kitchen renovations
and some exterior cosmetic improvements. Total costs are approximately
$20,000.
The former skating rink building was also toured to evaluate conditions
and proposed restroom renovations that could include exterior entrances
to provide additional access for outdoor events, such as Smoke in
the Spring. Council members also toured the aquatic center.
The next stop was Lincoln Park. Extensive renovations are proposed,
including a new shelter building and restrooms, play equipment,
picnic tables, sidewalks, additional lighting and paved parking
areas. Lincoln Park renovations are estimated at approximately $65,000.
At Huffman Park, council members saw the area proposed as a paved
parking area.
Upon return to the council chambers, the capital improvement project
budget was considered, including projects planned for the remainder
of 2009 and long-term planning for the next four years.
The budget included work on several of the facilities toured in
addition to work at the airport, city entrance signs, sidewalks,
chip and seal street work and the rails to trail project as previously
considered by the council. Also considered were several utility
and street projects that have been identified and will need to be
considered in the next few years.
Osage City Manager Nick Hernandez asked the council for approval
of the 2009 capital improvement project plan as proposed in order
to begin and continue with current projects.
Osage City Councilman Ed Mueller questioned if the city has the
money available for the proposed projects, to which Hernandez said
the money is available for projects outlined in the budget.
“I’ll vote yes on all but the trails project,”
Mueller told the group before voting on the budget. “I would
like to see Lincoln Park get started as soon as possible and Huffman
Park, but I cannot go with the trail.”
The budget was then approved on a line item basis with everything
unanimously approved in the 2009 proposal with the exception of
the trail project. Costs of approximately $120,000 for the trail
project were approved by a vote of 5-1, with Mueller voting no and
council members Frank Towle, Becky Brewer, Gary Griffith, Matt Brewer
and Loren DeBaun voting yes.
Also during the meeting, the council approved an ordinance to increase
pay for council members to $30 per council meeting and $50 per meeting
for the mayor. The increases would become effective following the
next election. The vote was 5-1, with Towle voting no.
The council allowed the city code enforcement officer to proceed
with the notification process declaring a garage structure at 317
S. Sixth and a house at 302 Holliday Street as dangerous and unfit
structures.
They also heard an update on the cell phone tower construction.
A fence will be constructed once the tower and building are complete.
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