Arriesgado Sworn In As Newest Officer
Oskaloosa’s newest police officer Jennifer “Jenna” Arriesgado has her badge pinned on by her daughter and mother.
Oskaloosa, Iowa – The Oskaloosa City Council met on Tuesday, September 3rd, at 6:00 pm due to the Labor Day weekend.
The first item on the agenda was to swear in Oskaloosa’s newest police officer Jennifer “Jenna” Arriesgado.
Arriesgado, who was born and raised in Ottumwa, enlisted in the United States Navy right after high school.
During her service, she served on the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, where she worked as a Weapons Elevator Technician.
Arriesgado was joined by her daughter Zamora and her mother Nora Bellon. Together they pinned on Arriesgado’s badge.
The first item on the regular agenda was to hold a public hearing on a resolution approving the proposal to enter into a grant agreement with the Mahaska Community Recreation Foundation, Inc. in the amount of $80,000 to be used for Lacey Improvements.
The funding for Lacey Recreation Complex improvements by the city is an exchange for lighting improvements made by Musco Lighting along Kentfield and Stadium Drives. Although the agreement does not tie MCRF to specific improvements, it is the city’s understanding that concrete improvements will be made at the Lacey Sports Complex.
The use of an Economic Development Grant Agreement between the city and MCRF is the legal mechanism to complete this transaction as discussed during the FY2020 budget meeting.
No one from the public addressed the Council on the grant, and the Council went into regular session to address the resolution, which ultimately passed the resolution unanimously.
The Council then considered rescinding Resolution No. 19-04-57 pertaining to the adoption of small wireless facility design guidelines.
Back in April, the Oskaloosa City Council approved two resolutions pertaining to small wireless facilities.
The new language was adopted after other municipalities moved to preserve review and permitting authority for the local deployment of 5G networks.
Verizon Wireless contacted city staff regarding the adopted guidelines, which lead to an on-site meeting to discuss Verizon’s plans to roll out 5G networks in central Iowa. Verizon representative then provided information regarding the equipment and means of installation, asking preliminary questions regarding the city’s concerns and desires for 5G service.
In July of 2019, Verizon’s legal team reviewed and provided feedback on the adopted guidelines (Iowa Code Chapter 8C).
On August 14th, a committee of city staff and three council members reviewed the feedback from Verizon and the Iowa Cell Citing Act. From that session, the committee determined that the guidelines were unnecessary and duplicated much of what is in the Iowa Cell Citing Act, and recommended the small wireless facility resolutions be rescinded.
It was also decided to have staff review the right-of-way permitting procedures with regard to small wireless facilities.
The Council then considered an ordinance amending Chapter 15.12, “Electrical Code”, of the Oskaloosa Municipal Code. This would be the first reading of the amended code.
The newest edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC) went into effect in the State of Iowa on January 1st, 2018.
According to the State of Iowa, all municipalities must adopt the same edition of the NEC that the state has adopted.
The Oskaloosa Municipal Code still references the 2014 NEC and other references that have become outdated.
The amended ordinance will update and amend Oskaloosa’s electrical code, Chapter 15.12, as follows:
1. Adopt the 2017 edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC);
2. Remove references to the city engineer and replace with electrical inspector or development services director, as appropriate; and
3. Remove references to Iowa Power and Light Company and replace with MidAmerican Energy Company.
The measure passed the Council unanimously.
The second reading of an ordinance amending Section 15.04.170 was passed by the Council.
The ordinance would change the requirement for a building permit to 120 square foot from it’s current 80 square foot requirement.
The next scheduled meeting of the Oskaloosa City Council is set for September 16, 2019, at 6 pm inside the Council Chambers of Oskaloosa City Hall.
