Oskaloosa City Council Meets In Regular Session On September 16, 2024
The Oskaloosa City Council convened on Monday, September 16, 2024, at 6:00 PM in a regular session at City Hall. Mayor Dave Krutzfeldt led the session, which included council members Almond, Caligiuri, Comfort, Drost, Hermsen, Ibrahim, and Ossian. The meeting began with an invocation from a representative of Central Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Community Concerns
During the public comment period, a community member raised concerns about the state of the local parks, specifically Edmundson Park and the skate park. He noted issues such as overflowing trash cans and individuals drinking alcohol in public areas. They suggested the possibility of forming a neighborhood watch program to help maintain the cleanliness and safety of the parks.
Consent Agenda
The council approved the consent agenda, which included the adoption of the meeting’s agenda and minutes from previous sessions. Among the notable items was the approval of a $12,316.61 payment to SVPA for services completed at the Early Childhood Education and Recreation Center, and another $8,419.51 payment for work done at the Natatorium at the same facility.
Public Hearings and Resolutions
The council held a public hearing to consider a resolution for levying special assessments against private property for weed cutting. The hearing concluded without public input, and the resolution was approved. Property owners now have 30 days to pay the assessment before it is applied to their property taxes with a 9% interest rate.
Another significant resolution approved was an amendment to the interim agreement with North American Specialty Insurance Company, reducing the payment amount for work at the Early Childhood Education and Recreation Center by $11,064.73. The council also approved a payment of $162,376.54 to the insurance company for completed work related to the facility.
K9 Vehicle Funding
A discussion took place regarding the purchase and outfitting of a new K9 vehicle for the police department. The council previously approved $56,000 for the purchase, but rising costs due to inflation have increased the project’s total to $73,115.63. The council authorized the use of forfeiture funds to cover the additional $9,905.20 needed for the purchase and an additional $23,210.43 for necessary upgrades.
ILEA-Certified Candidate Incentive
The council discussed increasing the incentive for hiring Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA)-certified candidates from $5,000 to $7,500. The initiative aims to attract more qualified law enforcement officers to Oskaloosa, especially in the context of rising training costs for non-certified officers.
Sewer Bill Late Fee Amendment
The council also approved the third reading of an ordinance amending the city code related to late fees on sewer bills. This amendment clarifies the assessment and allocation of late fees to ensure proper billing and payment schedules.
Council Member Comments
Council member Lisa Ossian highlighted a successful emergency management levy election in Henry County, which passed with 92% voter approval. Council members also commended the community for its involvement in recent events, including the RVTV broadcast.
