Council Approves Site Plan For Education And Recreation Center
Oskaloosa, Iowa – The Oskaloosa City Council met in regular session on Monday, December 16th, 2019.
The first item attended to was the oath of office for Mayor Dave Krutzfeldt, council members Bob Drost, Steve Burnett, and Joe Caligiuri.
The Council considered a resolution approving the site plan for the new Early Childhood and Recreation Center being developed near the Lacey Sports Complex, and will be located at 1521 Green Street.
The new facility will be over 88,000 square feet in size, on a 12-acre lot.
The facility is slated to include a gymnasium, recreational and competition pools, racketball courts, a wellness center, preschool and early education center, and daycare.
The Council approved the resolution unanimously.
The Council approved an amendment with SVPA Architects with the City of Oskaloosa because at the time their services were contracted, the Early Childhood and Recreation Center was to be approximately 60,000 square feet at the cost of 16.3 million dollars.
Their fee was based upon a percentage of the total cost of the project. SVPA’s fee for services came to 1.1 million dollars.
The project has since increased in scope and is now planned to be approximately 88,000 square feet with a total construction cost of 26.7 million dollars.
Council approved the new payment structure to SVPA in the amount of the contract to 1.8 million dollars.
The Council approved an amendment to the professional services with Calhoun-Burns & Associates, Inc for the North 17th Street Bridge Replacement project.
Shawn Christ, Development Services Director for the City of Oskaloosa, made a presentation to the Council in regards to City-owned properties.
Christ spoke about the policy for disposition for City-Owned Properties. Those priorities for the properties for renovation and redevelopment of the City-Owned properties. The process for disposing of the properties include competitive bid and vacant lot sale.
The goals and objectives for the program are to acquire abandoned, dilapidated properties. Sell those properties to builders and adjacent property owners for redevelopment or green space.
The policy would help improve the appearance of the community and increase tax revenue.
The improvements to the properties would improve housing options for current and prospective employees.
During the past two years, the City has acquired 17 properties. Nine of those properties have been or will be redeveloped. Eight properties have been converted to green space.
The Council also heard from Oskaloosa Police Chief Benjamin Boeke in regards to the usage of Spot Crime.
The premise behind the usage of Spot Crime is to help provide a visual and statistical map of what crime is taking place within the City. That deeper understanding allows for efficient use of resources from the police department.
