Oskaloosa City Council To Consider Arts And Culture Commission
Oskaloosa City Hall
Oskaloosa, Iowa – The Oskaloosa City Council met in regular session on Monday and heard a presentation from members of FACE (The Fine Arts & Cultural Events of Mahaska County). The mission of FACE is to provide exceptional arts education and make art accessible and exciting to the community. FACE works to bring arts and activities to the community through the Skunk River Arts Festival, Up & Coming Artist Show, Young Artist Workshop, local galleries and various events.
Members of FACE spoke about what a possible Oskaloosa Arts and Culture Commission would be like, and what its function within the community could potentially be.
The commission will act as an advisory board to provide recommendations to City Council on a variety of arts and culture issues impacting the long term quality of life in the Oskaloosa community including reviewing and directing the development of public art initiatives, act as an advisory board for the arts to the City Council and provide visionary leadership in which to advance arts of all disciplines of the City of Oskaloosa and its citizens.
The council agreed that there is interest in further pursuing discussion about the proposal, giving the city manager some direction to work with the council and public on, further exploring what the commission would be for the community.
The council also considered a resolution authorizing a professional services agreement with HR Green Inc., in an amount not to exceed $374,600.00, for the City of Oskaloosa EPA Brownfields Area-wide Hazardous Substances and Petroleum Assessment.
At the January 6, 2014 meeting the City Council authorized staff to apply for a $400,000 EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant. The grant application included $200,000 for petroleum and $200,000 for hazardous substance site assessments.
In June of 2014 the full $400,000 grant was awarded to the City of Oskaloosa. As part of the EPA approved project budget, $374,600 has been reserved for contractual services.
In November of 2014 City staff advertised a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the professional services portion of the Brownfield Assessment Grant. The city received proposals from four engineering firms. Each proposal was evaluated and scored by staff, and after careful consideration, HR Green Inc. was found to be the firm most qualified to perform the tasks required by this project.
Upon approval, HR Green will begin the site selection evaluation process, and take part in community involvement initiatives. Although public participation is entirely voluntary, property owners will be contacted and informational public meetings will be periodically held to explain the project and report progress.
Also passed was:
*A resolution approving the plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimated cost for the E Avenue East & North 12th Street Reconstruction.
*A resolution awarding or rejecting a contract for the E Avenue East & North 12th Street Reconstruction Project.
*A resolution awarding a contract to Cornerstone Excavating, Inc., for the 3rd Avenue East Reconstruction Project in an amount not to exceed $1,656,741.80 and authorize the City Manager to utilize an additional five percent ($83,000.00) as project contingency.
*An ordinance amending Oskaloosa Municipal Code, Chapter 13.08, Section 13.08.570 – User charge, for the purpose of providing necessary funding associated with the operation and maintenance of the city’s wastewater treatment works. (2nd reading)
