Oskaloosa City Council Approves Police Agreement, New Hires, and Property Sale in Busy March Meeting
Sean Metcalf
Council Approves Police Services Agreement with University Park
One of the key actions of the night was approving a 28E agreement to provide emergency police services to the City of University Park. Under the agreement, Oskaloosa’s police department will respond to emergency calls in University Park for a fee of $18,000 annually, payable in monthly installments. The contract will run from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.
Chief of Police and city staff explained that calls from University Park averaged around one every two days, and the agreement specifies Oskaloosa officers will not conduct routine patrols but will handle emergency situations. After deliberation, the council approved the agreement 6-1, with Council Member Almond voting against it.
Sale of City-Owned Property on South M Street
The council also approved a counteroffer for the sale of vacant city-owned property at 115 South M Street. An initial offer of $2,500 was rejected due to interest from other parties and the desire to encourage new housing development. After discussion, the council voted unanimously to counteroffer the sale while stipulating conditions to promote housing construction on the lot.
Appointments and New Hires Confirmed
Pamela Nimtz was appointed as the new City Clerk and Finance Director, effective March 4, 2025. Nimtz’s appointment was unanimously approved by the council.
In addition, the council finalized the hiring of Sean Metcalf as Oskaloosa’s new city manager. Following an extensive search process, the council approved the employment agreement in a unanimous vote.
Zoning Change Approved for 11th Avenue West Property
A rezoning request for property located at 1115 11th Avenue West was approved on its first reading. The council voted to rezone the property from R-2 General Residential District to GC General Commercial District, which will allow for its use as parking space for Musco Sports Lighting’s nearby facility. The measure passed 5-1, with Council Member Ossian voting no and Council Member Drost abstaining due to a conflict of interest.
Additional Approvals and Announcements
Council approved a lease agreement to provide 35 new desktop phones for City Hall at a cost of $575 per month.
Resolutions were passed scheduling public hearings on a proposed alley vacation and a loan agreement related to the Southeast Connector Project.
The council approved sharing costs with Mahaska County for utility relocation along the Southeast Connector route.
Mark Strasser was appointed to the Water Board of Trustees.
Mayor Dave Krutzfeldt thanked the public, council, and staff for their participation in the city manager hiring process, and reminded attendees of the upcoming “Coffee and Conversation” event scheduled for March 8 at Smokey Row.
The meeting adjourned at 6:47 p.m.
In an interview before his selection as Oskaloosa’s new city manager, Sean Metcalf, who currently calls Hastings, Nebraska home, visited Oskaloosa to get a firsthand look at the community he could soon serve. Metcalf described the city as having “a lot of personality” and praised its strong sense of community cohesion and outdoor recreational opportunities. He noted the positive public-private cooperation he observed, specifically mentioning the YMCA as a standout example. Metcalf also pointed out areas for improvement, such as the need for street paving and addressing the aging wastewater treatment plant. A family man with three young daughters, Metcalf emphasized his desire to find a long-term home, stating, “I sincerely am looking for a place where I can be for a long time.” He concluded by expressing appreciation for the opportunity and a commitment to giving “110% every day” if selected for the role.
