Osseo Mayor’s Minutes: Issues with Water Rates and Ash Trees
Osseo Mayor Duane Poppe touched on several important issues happening in the city, including an update on what the city is doing about the spike in water rates. He also talked about the city’s plan for ash tree preservation and the upcoming community programs and events.
The State of Osseo’s Water
The city of Osseo can send residents notifications about a possible water leak.
The technological upgrade was part of the 2021 water meter installation.
The notification can alert users of a ‘continuous water usage’ at their residence.
Undetected water leaks not only add a financial burden to homeowners, it increases the amount the city is required to pay for sanitary sewer use.
Water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer fees in Osseo solely pay for the operating and maintenance costs associated with those services.
City leaders recently met with local legislators at the state capitol to talk about setting a new fee structure regarding the city’s water rates, which many residents believe are too high.
“The goal here is to bring it back later in April or… the beginning of May to be able to set those water rates here for 2023,” stated Osseo Mayor Duane Poppe.
Ash Tree Preservation Program
Osseo will spend nearly $9,000 to treat the city’s 120 ash trees against the destructive Emerald Ash Borer.
The first installment of the two-year treatment will begin in May and last through October 2023.
Osseo contracted Rainbow Tree Care to treat the city’s ash tree population.
“What they found is that if you essentially take a chemical cocktail and inject it towards the roots of a tree, it’s taken up in the tree and prevents the Emerald Ash Borer larva from being able to feed on the tree,” stated Joe Amerman, Community Management Coordinator.
Funding for the treatment will come from the CIP Parks fund.
RELATED: EMERALD ASH BORER “DEATH CURVE” BEGINS
Community Events & Programs
Youth Sports Programming – first session starts May 8
City Wide Garage Sale – May 18-21
Vintage Foreign Car Show and Craft show – Saturday, May 20
