Council Renews Discussion Of Sidewalk Ordinance

Oskaloosa, Iowa – The Oskaloosa City Council met in regular session Monday evening for a quick meeting. At the onset of the meeting, Mayor Krutzfeldt administered the oath of office to Jordan Ammons, the newest police officer for the Oskaloosa Police Department. The Mayor also presented longevity plaques to several longtime city employees, including Mark Neff (20 years), Craig Alexander (30 years), Nicky Witt (30 years), and Kim Weiss (35 years).

The council first considered two ordinance changes to the city code. An ordinance amending the zoning code that would change minimum lot requirements in the R-1, R-2, and R-3 zoning districts and an ordinance amending city could that would consider two family dwellings as separate buildings for purposes of sewer connects both were unanimously passed on their second readings.

The council next considered two items submitted by councilors Aaron VerSteeg and Tom Jimenez. The first item was a request to allow the city council to grant a vairiance to the Oskaloosa municipal building code after the board of adjustment. In short, the request would give the city council the power to grant a variance to an individual on a building code or zoning issue. During discussion, it was noted that staff was of the opinion that the request may not be legal, as it would supersede state code.

This led to a discussion of the recently passed sidewalk ordinance and the appeals process outlined in it. City Manager Mike Schrock indicated that he and legal counsel had started to look into the matter as it appeared that the appeals process in the city code may be contrary to state law, and thus unenforceable. In response to a question from councilor Aaron VerSteeg, Schrock stated that the sidewalk ordinance is still in effect regardless and that he did not anticipate there being usage of the appeals process in the immediate future.
“I don’t see that being an issue right now,” Schrock said.

He did acknowledge, however, that he and City Attorney Dave Dixon are reviewing the code and will be bringing “some options” for the council to consider, in regards to bringing the code into compliance with state law. VerSteeg suggested that the ordinance be scrapped and that discussion on it start from the beginning. Dixon stated that it might be wise to consider starting discussion on the ordinance anew.

“It probably would be fair to reconsider from square one,” Dixon said.

Ultimately, the item requested by VerStegg and Jimenez died for lack of a motion.

The next item was also requested by VerSteeg and Jimenez and would revise frost footing requirements for auxiliary structures in the city and would exempt auxiliary buildings residential private property from frost footing requirements. This item also died for lack of a motion.

The next meeting of the Oskaloosa City Council will be on December 19 at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.

Posted by on Dec 7 2016. Filed under Local News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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