Osseo City Council approves land sale to expand city

OSSEO - The Osseo City Council gave its approval coming out of closed session in the City Council meeting of June 8 to the purchase of 78 acres of land behind the current Osseo Family Restaurant which will be annexed to the city.

Mayor Josh Pettis said the land, owned by the Paulson family before being sold to the city. will be developed with light industrial expansion in mind and hopes that its location next to the interstate will attract businesses to locate there.

"We're in a situation where we're limited in where we can expand around the city so having this land really will be a big boost as far as economic development goes and that can lead to many more benefits extending from that."

Those benefits an be an increase in the city's tax base, population and economic growth along with fixing up the area where the land is located on the northeast side of the city.

"Let's face it, when you have empty buildings out there and other open parcels of land, it's not a good look for the city," Osseo City Council President Tim Johnson said. "Hopefully we can make it an attractive buy for a industrial business to locate there and other businesses will follow."

In the area across Hwy. 10 new housing developments are being planned or are being constructed so such growth in the city's land mass compliments plans for light industrial development.

"i think there are tons of opportunities here with little risk," council member Jim Caldini said. "There's proximity to the interstate and other highways such as 10 and 53 so that allows access to a businesses' customer base. It's location makes it an attractive opportunity to locate there and the city can do its part to promote it as well."

This was the month for license approval and all were approved (except for one bartender's license) by those who applied. This included garbage-hauling licenses, retailer's licenses for beer and liquor, adult entertainment license for Darling's Gifts and coin-machine applications.

The season-opening of the Osseo City Pool in June was delayed to the 24th due to repairs that were needed for pool operations after a pipe burst under the concrete in the zero-entry area. The break was found and was fixed along with the concrete. The Board approved of them along with all Public Works Department invoices except for an upgrade to the Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) for $8,920 that was held along with action on another change order request for the plant. The Council gave its approval to pay 75% of costs for Ridge View Road and Cedar Crest Road – at$58.848.25 and 70% of costs for Valley View Court at $15,092.50. Both are housing developments. They also approved then annual CMAR report.

The Council approved the beginning of legal action against the property and ownership of 50801 Nelson Road for violation of city ordinances. It also approved a direct seller's permit ordinance and gave its approval for use of the Miss Osseo float in the Lake Martha Days Grand Parade.

A special meeting of the Council held on June 24 approved using Temporary Investment Funds to Cover Stoddard Park Invoice No. 17601-26 for Stoddard Park Playground Equipment in the amount of $326,840.00 before being reimbursed by the DNR.