Oskaloosa City Council considers resolution to establish a gun free zone in Oskaloosa

Oskaloosa Iowa City Council Chambers

At its meeting Monday evening, the Oskaloosa City Council debated on a resolution to establish a gun free zone in Oskaloosa. If approved, the city council could declare any property owned or operated by the City of Oskaloosa to be a gun free zone. Council members Aaron VerSteeg and Tom Walling immediately vocally expressed their opposition to this resolution. Walling’s main concern was that we would be the first in the state to do this and then would end up being in a lawsuit. Versteeg immediately went on saying that a sign saying a gun free zone wasn’t going to stop anyone from bringing a gun into a city council meeting. Council Member Pam Blomgren disagreed with Walling saying that we should not feel handicapped to do this because of the chance of a lawsuit. After much discussion on the matter, the council voted 4-2 to table the resolution until the next meeting. In the other action, the city council:

• Heard the annual MCRF report from MCRF Director Sherry Vavra
• Approved the OACDG 2011 calendar of events
• Approved the appointment of Randell Davis to the Housing Trust Fund Committee
• Awarded a contract to Cornerstone Excavation for the Northwest Sanitary Sewer Project
• Heard a report from City Manager Michael Schrock on the FY 2011 budget amendment and the FY 2012 budget

The next meeting of the Oskaloosa City Council will be on February 7th at 6:30 pm in the City Council chambers