Council Thanks Those Who Helped With Fire
Oskaloosa, Iowa – The Oskaloosa City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, February 20, 2018. The change in day from Monday to Tuesday was due to the federal holiday of Presidents Day.
Mayor Dave Krutzfeldt read a note, thanking the many people involved in helping to fight the International Ingredient Corporation fire that took place on Sunday, February 4, 2018.
It reads as follows:
“On February 4, 2018 International Ingredient Corporation was affected by a large fire. Besides the Oskaloosa Fire Department, Fire Departments from Cedar Township, Eddyville, Hedrick, New Sharon, Ottumwa, Pella, Sigourney and What Cheer assisted in fighting the fire. They were assisted by the Oskaloosa Police Department, Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office, Mahaska County Emergency Management, Mahaska County CERT, Iowa DOT, Mahaska Health Partnership Emergency Services, and the Mahaska County 911 Center.
Along with the entities listed above, other members of the community stepped up and provided services and equipment to assist the fire departments and agencies. Due to the combined effort of all, a major portion of the business was able to be saved. The Mayor would like to present letters of appreciation in recognition of support during this disastrous fire.”
Below is a list of individuals/organizations to be recognized who provided support during the fire and the service they provided:
Boender Family Farms (track hoe)
Curt Smith (track hoe)
Mahaska County CERT (Firefighter support)
Crop Production Services (Opened their office for firefighters)
Krutzfeldt then presented letters of appreciate and support to many of those involved. The letters read,
“The City of Oskaloosa would like to express our sincere appreciation for your help on February 4, 2018. Your willingness to respond to our call for help exemplifies the values of selfless service and courage that make our community so extraordinary. By throwing open the doors to your facility and allowing us to warm up in your offices, you made a huge difference in our ability to keep firefighters operational. Though the damage looked extensive, we’ve been informed that the mill, which was saved by all the combined efforts, was far more valuable to the company than what was lost. And because of this, they’ve expressed interest in rebuilding onsite. We hope the combined efforts of the responders that day will allow our community to keep the jobs provided by that company. In sense it was a true test of everyone’s ability to perform under stressful conditions. We would not only like to thank you for your hard work and effort, but also your willingness to help our department in a time of need. It would have been a much greater loss without your support and we truly appreciate your dedication and resources you provided.”
Crop Production Services, Curt Smith Excavating, Mark Boender from Boender Family Farms, Jim Walker and Mahaska County CERT, were all honored with certificates for their help.
We would also like to thank Cablevey for opening their facility for emergency responders, although due to being downwind of the fire they had to change the location to the Crop Production Services office.
In other work, the council approved:
*A resolution adopting the city of Oskaloosa Capital Improvement Plan, Fiscal Years 2019 through 2023.
*A resolution instituting proceedings to take additional action and approving the reallocation of certain unspent proceeds of the General Obligation Capital Loan Notes, Series 2015A, of the City of Oskaloosa, Iowa.
This move will allow the city to further equip the fire department, including the acquisition of an aerial apparatus.
*A resolution approving the plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimated cost for the Phase 1 Sanitary Sewer System Improvements Project.
*A resolution awarding the contract to Cornerstone Excavating, Inc. for the Division 1 of Phase 1 Sanitary Sewer System Improvements Project.
*A resolution awarding the contract to Visu-Sewer, Inc. for the Division 2 of Phase 1 Sanitary Sewer System Improvements Project.
*A resolution approving Amendment No. 1 to the contract with Garden and Associates Ltd. for the Sanitary Sewer Improvements Project.
*A resolution for preliminary approval of plans, specifications, form of contract, estimated cost, ordering publication of notice of hearing, notice to bidders, setting the date for a public hearing, and authorizing to receive and open bids for the Phase 2 Sanitary Sewer System Improvements Project.
*A resolution approving an agreement with Fox Engineering Associates for engineering services for the Wastewater Facility Plan Short-Term Improvements in an amount not to exceed $79,750.
*Approval of Pay Application No. 2 – Final in the amount of $8,340.93 to Van Maanen Electric, Inc. for work completed on the Wayfinding Sign Installation Project.
*A resolution fixing date for a meeting on the authorization of a loan agreement and the issuance of not to exceed $1,825,000 General Obligation Capital Loan Notes of the City of Oskaloosa, State of Iowa (for essential corporate purposes), and providing for publication of notice thereof.
*A resolution approving an agreement for executive recruitment services with Moulder and Associates, LLC.
This will allow the city to search for a new police chief, as current police chief is scheduled to retire by the end of May 2018.
*An ordinance to accept right-of-way dedication and to approve street names for public roadways in the vicinity of Lacey Recreation Complex.
