Onamia Council proposes preliminary tax levy of 10% for 2025

Prior to the regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Onamia City Council on Sept. 11, the Mayor, City Clerk and Council members conducted a budget workshop meeting to discuss next year’s budget. Items discussed included: Building an ADA Restroom, purchasing an OSIA Fire Cabinet, buying and a loader (maintenance), buying rubber mulch for the park, purchasing a new sewer transducer, new sewer and water rates and painting the library. Also, there was discussion about installing a new furnace for city hall and the library.

The Council is going on record proposing a 10% preliminary tax levy increase on city residents and businesses for next year. The tax levy proposal will also be on the agenda at the Oct. 9 public hearing. (The preliminary amount represents the highest amount the city can levy. The final levy, due in December, can go lower.)

Department reports

As the gavel came down on starting the regular meeting, the council listened to reports from the various city departments.

First up was Police Chief Amy Mattison, who filled the council in on the status of hiring a new officer. She stated that a potential new officer was interviewed and a “conditional full-time offer was made to that person” at which time the candidate accepted the offer. The candidate is currently going through the background vetting process, and Mattison has hopes this new officer will be on board soon.

Mattison also said she was soliciting bids for a new squad car. The council discussed several price options for a new vehicle and gave the chief permission to continue getting quotes on the cost of a new car.

Mattison also informed the council and the public about the upcoming “National Prescription Drug Take Back Day” which Onamia will be observing on Wednesday, Oct. 16. A police officer will be on hand at Onamia City Hall on that day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. so that anyone can dispose of any prescription drugs, pharmaceuticals or medications in the towns secure drop box, no questions asked. The collected material will be taken to the Minneapolis DEA free disposal drop-off in November.

Mattison concluded by asking the council to weigh in on the possibility of getting some help with enforcing un-mowed lawns and messy grounds by having on hand what she called a “weed and grass inspector.” After some discussion, several council members volunteered to help Mattison with the enforcement of the city ordinance dealing with unsightly grass and weeds on residential and commercial properties within city limits.

Up next was Fire Chief Bruce Peterson, who informed the Council that a revised plan had been submitted for the future addition to the City Fire Hall, and the city attorney would be consulted regarding how to go about submitting bids for this project.

Those in the city maintenance department explained how they were preparing their equipment for the impending winter season and how they recently begun trimming trees in key areas of city streets to help with making room for school buses and large vehicles, including snow plows.

Water treatment plant update

As for the status of the $9 million water treatment plant under construction in a city park, the council was informed that the area around the base of the building has been backfilled, and that the major walls of the building on ground level are now in place leaving installation of the roof and things in the interior next on the agenda. The project is scheduled to be complete sometime in late 2025 and up and running by 2026.

There was also discussion about the possibility of the city hiring a mosquito fogging company to spray the entire city of Onamia periodically during the coming summer season. The council asked that at least two bids for performing this spraying be considered before committing the funds for this project.

The council then considered the city’s fee schedule for the coming year, with rising costs and new fees in areas such as municipal sewer and water charges for residential and commercial enterprises, along with other fees the city charges throughout the year. A public hearing for discussion and information on these proposed fees is scheduled for Oct. 9, one hour prior to the regular October council meeting.

In closing, the city graciously accepted a $500 check from the local Vets Club and agreed to designate that money to the park fund.

And the council was informed that a film crew from the TV program “House Hunters” will be filming an episode in Onamia during Oct. 3-8.