By Sam Parsons

The Oskaloosa city council held a regular meeting last night and approved a 28E agreement with Mahaska County to participate in an application for a 2026 BUILD (Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development) Grant for the MODES Project. The project aims to build a connection between IA-23 and US-63 in the area northeast of the city. The Mahaska County Board of Supervisors already approved a contract with Snyder and Associates to assist with the preparation of an application, and the city is responsible for an amount of $19,000.

In other business, the council set the date for a public hearing on plans and specifications and authorizing the advertisement of bids for the 8th Avenue West Reconstruction Project for March 2nd. The project was last on the agenda in October 2025, when the council directed city staff to adjust the proposed width of the road.

And the council approved the annual calendar of events for the Mahaska Chamber and Oskaloosa Main Street, including street closures associated with them. The calendar includes Art on the Square on June 13, Friday after Five on Fridays, May 29, June 5, and June 12, the Sweet Corn Serenade on July 23, the “Turn on the Lights!” event on November 21, and the Lighted Christmas Parade on December 5.

The next regular meeting for the Oskaloosa city council will be held on February 2.