The Oskaloosa City Council met for their regularly scheduled meeting Monday night in City Hall, with a study session prior to the regular agenda.
The study session consisted solely of the Recreation and Early Childhood Education Project. The conversation of the project mostly surrounded the cost of the project and how it would be paid for. A major concern was how long they wanted to take to pay for the project, and how much of the local option sales tax to use.
There was also concern over whether or not to close the Edmundson Park Pool if the new recreation center passes. The question was if Oskaloosa could afford, or even need three pools.
To begin the regular session, Mayor David Krutzfeldt presented four public service workers with plaques for their longevity. Stephen Watts was presented with a plaque for 35 years of service to the City of Oskaloosa. The other three were for Troy Boston, Cindy Godlove, and Marilyn Johannes for 30 years of service to the City of Oskaloosa.
A big topic during the regular agenda was the sale of the vacant lot owned by the city located at 204 North C Street to Kabal Chauchan in the amount of $35,000, so the lot could be turned into a parking lot for his business, Cork and Bottle. The motion was passed, but Council Member Jason Van Zetten was the lone no in the approval to the sale of the vacant lot to Chauchan. Van Zetten’s reasoning was that Chauchan does not own the building his business is in. The council member was concerned that should Chauchan move his business, he might not let a future business in that location use that parking lot.
The other big topic during the meeting was the wayfinding improvement study. There was a presentation on the A Avenue and Market Street Corridor and wayfinding improvement study by RDG Planning and Design. RDG said their main vision is to “enhance the aesthetics of the Highway 92 and Market Street Corridors.” RDG also touched on wayfinding signs, entryway signs on Highway 92 heading east into Oskaloosa, and their main principles in developing the project. Some of the principles were to honor Oskaloosa’s heritage, be cohesive and consistent in what they do, support the Oskaloosa brand, and be flexible.
In other business:
- Discussed the Oskaloosa Municipal Code 12.40.00 Trees, 15.04.04.230 Permit Application Plans and Specifications, and 17.34.020 Site Plan Review Procedure – 2nd This ensures that Oskaloosa has healthy trees. This was unanimously passed.
The next scheduled meeting of the Oskaloosa City Council is set for December 21st, at 6 pm in the Council Chambers in City Hall.
Story provided by George Henry
