City Council approves resolution to acquire vacant properties
Oskaloosa City Hall
By Charlie Comfort
Oskaloosa, Iowa- The Oskaloosa City Council was met with a routine City Council agenda at Monday’s meeting. Mayor Pro Tempore Doug Yates presided over the half hour long meeting. Among the items on the agenda included the consideration of a resolution authorizing the city attorney and the city manager to proceed with actions leading to the acquisition of properties owned by Buck Grove Trust. The resolution deals with vacant and undeveloped property located at 711 6th Ave West.
The property previously was the location of the former Buchanan Bulk Oil/Ma & Pa Stores. After Buchanan Bulk Oil ceased to exist, a trust was established as the owner of the property. The trust has not paid taxes on the property for more than 25 years, and no party has shown interest in assuming tax certificates for the property. According to city documents, the site has been studied and is deemed to have environmental concerns. City Manager Michael Schrock said at Monday’s meeting that these concerns still exist and stem from Buchanan Bulk Oil.
A proposal from the city includes acquiring the parcels included in the trust, as well as possibly others in close proximity, and redeveloping the land. The city would be required to create a clean-up plan, mitigate any contamination on the site, and develop a plan for housing or other uses, such as parks and recreation.
According to City Council documents, resources from the EPA Brownfields grant that the city previously received has previously been utilized for this property and will continue to be used. Additionally, the city would seek funds to complete further studies and environmental mitigation on the property. After a brief discussion, the council approved the resolution unanimously.
The council also considered a resolution authorizing the submittal of a Clean Water State Revolving Fund Intended Use Plan application for sanitary sewer collection system upgrades. The City of Oskaloosa has previously received a notice of violation, dated September 29, 2014, from the Iowa DNR for bypassing raw wastewater from portions of the collection system and at the wastewater treatment plants. As a result of the notice of violation, the city has identified several projects that need to be implemented to address the violation.
The resolution being considered by the council called for an intended use plan application to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and would be the first step for the City as they seek to obtain a low-interest construction loan for the project.
City documents indicate that the scope of the improvements includes replacing or rehabilitating sewer pipes and rehabilitating or replacing manholes along several stretches of city streets including South A, B, D, E, and F Streets, Terrace Drive, the area near F Ave West, North A Street, and North B Street. After discussion and brief comments from City Manager Michael Schrock, the council unanimously approved the resolution.
In other action, the council unanimously:
Approved a resolution levying a special assessment against various property owners for weed cutting violations.
Approved Pay Request No. 15 in the amount of $19,906.81 for work completed on the Oskaloosa Fire Station Expansion and Renovation Project.
The next regular meeting of the Oskaloosa City Council will be held on September 5 at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
