Optimist Club Flag Project Tabled

R.D. Keep presents plans the Optimist Club has for it's 'Avenue of Flag" to the Oskaloosa Planning and Zoning Commission Monday afternoon

Oskaloosa, Iowa – The Oskaloosa Planning and Zoning Commission held their first meeting of the year and took up two items on their agenda.

The first was a consideration of an Encroachment Agreement for the Optimist Club Flag Project within the City of Oskaloosa. The agreement would allow the club to install US Flags, at up to 6 National Holidays, in the area between the sidewalk and the street.

Residents would subscribe to the service for approximately $40.00 per year, and the club would put up the flag and take it town for the resident; creating what has been called the “Avenue of Flags”.

The Oskaloosa City staff was recommending to the commission to turn down the agreement stating concerns that the flags would create problems with motorists.

Optimist Club member R. D. Keep spoke to the commission about the proposal, bringing photos of how the display looked in other communities, Knoxville being the nearest to Oskaloosa which also participates in the program.

The club would use the funds raised by subscriptions for the service for their scholarships and other charitable endeavors.

In the end, the issue was tabled as there were not enough members of the commission on hand to vote on the proposal because Optimist member Charlie Comfort would not vote on the proposal because of the conflict of interest.

Also approved was the motion to approve a temporary permit allowing liquor sales at 615 North I Street for the Southern Iowa Fair & Exposition.

The commission will meet again on Wednesday at noon to once again take up the Avenue of Flags proposal.