Police staffing concerns, OT and leave to be part of Osseo budget discussion

OSSEO - Discussion over police overtime hours, leave and number of officers per shifts on duty were discussed extensively during the April 10 meeting of the Osseo City Council at City Hall.

The topic came up during a report of the council's Personnel Committee. Police Chief Jensen told council members that the city's police department faces the dilemma of increased calls, reduced numbers of part-time officers and thus leading more overtime for those fulltime officers on the force along with meeting leave opportunities, such as sick or vacation time, that they have.

"We just can't count on the county sheriff's department or the Wisconsin State Patrol to fill gaps in our coverage and part-time officers are hard to come by these days," Jensen said. "I would feel very uncomfortable to leave shifts open or not have enough officers per shift."

Council members agreed to discuss further police personnel matters and the costs involved when budget time approaches.

Another matter deferred for further discussion was action on regulations for food-truck vendors in the city limits. Council members hoped to talk with officials in the Trempealeau County Health Department to set-up an inspection system for such trucks. The council also agreed to re-bid a micro-surfacing project for city streets and take into consideration a proposed $10,000 study by Ehlers of sewer rates and how they are set.

The council unanimously approved an agreement with the Osseo-Fairchild School District and the city's youth baseball and softball organization for maintenance of Stoddard's Park softball field. They also approved all pay requests and invoices for public works and other bills. An operator's license was also approved as well.

Council members also agreed to provide city water service to the Osseo Golf Club's maintenance shed but not sewer service.

The Council held their re-organization meeting for the new term in office on April 18.