NW Twin Cities

COVID-19 isn’t stopping the public from participating in City of Osseo politics.

Residents can watch the meetings of the City Council, Economic Development Authority, Planning Commission and other public bodies on an online platform that was established specifically for the public, according to media reports. 

The service is free of charge and for questions and comments, individuals are invited to submit online at least one hour before the meeting. However, comments are not confidential and will be reviewed and shared as part of the online meeting process. Complete an online question/comment form at DiscoverOsseo.com/virtual-meeting.

The City Attorney will also be attending these #SafeAtHome online meetings using videoconferencing technology, according to media reports.

The Osseo Area School Board is not among the city agencies meeting online. On March 24, the board held a meeting where it unanimously approved a five-year contract for transportation services with First Student, Inc. and a five-year contract for supplemental transportation services with NorthStar Bus Lines, LLC during Osseo Area School Board meeting, according to the Press & News.

The district currently operates 160 buses, serving approximately 13,000 regular and special education students, according to Ron Meyer, executive director of finance and operations for Osseo Area School District 279.

As previously reported, Meyer said the First Student contract will include a guaranteed increase for driver wages, which is essential to address the driver shortages that have existed for multiple years, and NorthStar Bus Lines was added as a supplemental provider to ensure that any future driver shortage do not prevent students from arriving to school safely and in a timely manner.