Oskaloosa Council Accepts Sewer Improvement Project

City Hall – Oskaloosa, Iowa

By R.D. KEEP

Forty-five minutes of work by Oskaloosa city councilors ended with acceptance of a long project. The North Seventh and J Avenue East sanitary sewer project was accepted and final change orders and payments were authorized.

The project has been a seemingly ongoing project to improve sewer movement in the area of northeast Oskaloosa. Wastewater superintendent David Neubert assured councilors that the project has been monitored by closed circuit TV and meets all requirements. Councilors approved a final payment of $8,120.80 to closeout the project.

Councilors asked for a work session ahead of the Monday July 16 to go over proposed changes to zoning ordinances regarding single-family detached, manufactured homes, mobile homes, mobile home parks and mobile home subdivisions. During the regular council meeting a public hearing will be conducted.

City manager Michael Schrock stated that Iowa Code and industry standards have changed the definitions and the ordinances need to be updated. “You might be surprised as to what is considered a manufactured home and a mobile home,” said Schrock.

Monday’s meeting simply set the date for a public hearing on the changes. Schrock explained that councilors were not accepting the changes as they are only setting the public hearing. Before any of the changes would become part of city code the issues would have to have three readings. The third reading would likely come in August or September.

Councilors approved the purchase of a 2012 Ford one-ton truck from Carriker Ford for the price of $26,671. They also approved a platform box and hydraulics, and a V-plow with fittings from Hawkeye Truck Equipment for a total cost of $37,510.

Councilors approved a contract with Norris Asphalt Paving for $321, 634.50 for work on the highway 432 pavement rehabilitation project. The work is expected to take 20 working days. Councilors indicated concern if the project could be completed prior to the beginning of school since the highway is a main thoroughfare to the elementary school. It is expected the work will commence the last week of July.

In other business:

Approved a liquor license for Mi Ranchito

Approved use of city streets by Mahaska Health Partnership for its annual Run in the Sun event scheduled for Saturday July 28.

Approved support for a grant application for Mahaska Conservation for a Vision Iowa Grant for the Caldwell Park project.

Approved proposal from Butler-Brown Insurance for property, liability, automobile, equipment and workman’s compensation insurance.