Council Works Through Approving Projects, Building Code Update and Fireworks Ban

Oskaloosa, Iowa – The Oskaloosa City Council met Monday evening to work through an agenda of projects such as curb and gutter projects, pavement rehabilitation, and storm sewer repairs.

The first of the projects approved was for curb and gutter replacement on North C Street. The project was awarded to TK Concrete in the amount of $134,520.00. This amount was lower than the engineer’s estimate of $158,200.00.

This project involves all work associated with the concrete construction of new curb and gutter, ADA sidewalk and ramps, and alley and driveway approaches.

The price includes paving the two gravel driveways and putting in curb cuts where two other driveways could be constructed.

The motion passed unanimously.

The council then considered awarding a contract for South 7th Street asphalt rehabilitation. Norris Asphalt Paving Co produced a bid not to exceed $95,535.00.

The motion to approve the contract was approved unanimously.

Brian Booy presented a bid to the city for conveyance of city-owned property located at 702 South D Street in the amount of $3,500.00. The motion passed unanimously.

The council then looked at the 2018 Storm Sewer intake repairs project.

The scope of the project involves the rebuilding or repair of deteriorating storm sewer intakes and the street pavement, driveways, sidewalk, and/or curb and gutter adjacent to those intakes

The estimated cost for this project was $38,850.00.

Four (4) competitive quotes were received on Friday, May 5th, with the lowest quote being
from TK Concrete Inc. for $36,750.00. If approved, this project will begin in mid-June or July and must be completed by May 11, 2018.

The motion passed without opposition.

The council passed a resolution approving the site plan for the new 6,000 square foot Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter.

This is the same site plan previously presented to the council, but because of delays, the plan needed approval once again.

The motion passed with all voting yes with the exception of councilmember Doug Yates who had a connection to the applicant of the permit. Yates abstained from the vote.

The council then went to the second reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 13.08, Article V, Section, 13.08.580 – Determination of quantity used.

*Change the current policy from a resolution to an ordinance. This change provides
the customers and billing staff an easy to reference location for how to handle
sanitary sewer reduction requests that are presented for consideration;

*Only customers that experience three times their normal use will meet the threshold
for a potential reduction in the sanitary sewer bill;

*Reduction requests can only be made for non-intentional uses (no pools, lawns,
irrigation, etc.)

*Reduction requests can only be made by customers once every three years from a
prior waiver that is granted;

*If a customer qualifies, one-half reduction would apply to the overage amount
(amount above the average use).

*The city will not differentiate excessive use that does or does not enter the sanitary
sewer system;

*The waiver would be granted per customer, per location (staff needs direction from
city council on this particular section)

*Municipal waterworks will be responsible for administering the council adopted code
for reduction requests.

*At this point in time the municipal waterworks General Manager will be designated by
the City Manager to have final decision making authority on granting exceptions as long as the municipal water works provides billing services on behalf of the city.

The second reading of the ordinance passed unanimously.

The council then considered an ordinance amending sections of the Oskaloosa Municipal Code, and would effectively move from the 2009 International Codes to the 2015 Codes.

The first reading of the ordinance updates was met with some questions and opposition from two on the council.

Council member Tom Walling asked if the new codes would be used for any case of construction, such as a full renovation on a home, and not just new construction. A 50% or more renovation to a home would also kick in the new building codes.

The city building inspector confirmed he would be using the updated code during inspections.

Burnett, Caligiuri, Moore, Ver Steeg and Yates voted in favor of adopting the ordinance. Jimenez and Walling voted against.

The final measure considered during Monday’s meeting was an ordinance to “Prohibit the use of consumer grade fireworks within the corporate city limits of Oskaloosa.”

The new ordinance was necessary due to changes in state law in relation to consumer grade fireworks.

The motion was approved by a 5-2 vote. Burnett, Caligiuri, Moore, Ver Steeg and Yates vote in favor, while Jimenez and Walling voted against the new ordinance.

The next scheduled meeting of the Oskaloosa City Council will be on June 5, 2017 at 6pm inside the city council chambers at city hall.

Posted by on May 17 2017. 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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