Topping off Tuesday nights meeting, Council approved the Consent Agenda. Two items on the Consent Adenga was, The Mayor proclaimed May 18 – 24, 2025 as Emergency Medical Services: We Care. For Everyone. And May 17, 2025 as National Park Trust Kids to Parks Day.
The City of Ottumwa passed a new rule in 2025 called Ordinance No. 3242-2025.. Before this rule, there was an old section in the city laws called Section 31½-35. The city removed (repealed) that old part and put in a new version with updated prices and rules.
This new rule says:
- People living in houses and other non-business buildings have to pay a fee to have their trash collected.
- The city will use this money to help pay for garbage trucks, workers, and taking the trash to the landfill.
- Some people might pay less if they qualify (like elderly or low-income people). APPROVED: 4-0
This resolution allows the Mayor to sign papers giving the city permission to use part of the land at 605 E. Fourth Street. The city needs this land to build and fix the sewer system. This work is part of a big project called the Blake’s Branch, Phase 8, Division 3, Sewer Separation Project. The project will help improve how water and waste are handled in the city. The Mayor is allowed to sign the agreement so the city can put in sewer pipes and take care of them in the future. APPROVED:4-0
The City asked different companies how much they would charge to fix Washington Street. DC Concrete and Construction, a company from Douds, Iowa, gave the best price and plan. They said they could do the job for $738,491. The City looked at their offer and decided it was a good deal and the company could do the work well. So, the City Council agrees to give the job of fixing Washington Street to DC Concrete and Construction for $738,491.
APPROVED 4-0
Community Spotlight: Gateway Students Help Solve Attendance Problems
A lot of students in the Quad Cities are missing too much school. To help fix this, more than 850 middle schoolers from 13 schools joined a special project called Student Voices. It was led by United Way Quad Cities and happened in November 2024.
During the event, students talked in small groups about why kids miss school and how to make school better. They shared their ideas about things like needing better transportation, help with mental health, and having more support at school.
College students from Western Illinois University are now looking at all the ideas. They’ll write a report to help schools and the community decide what to do next. The goal is to help more kids come to school every day and do better in class.
Lots of community helpers and credit unions joined in to support the project. United Way wants to make sure students’ voices are heard so schools can be better for everyone
