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The Ottumwa City Council held its second meeting of October on Tuesday night at the newly renovated City Hall. The meeting began with the approval of the consent agenda, which included two parts that were passed without issue.
Topping off Tuesday night’s meeting was the swearing in of New Firefighters and Newly promoted Firefighters.
Followed by Marc Roe with the GOPIP Quarterly Report.
In the Public Meeting Tuesday Night, Council approved two properties to Manny Martinez. Properties are located at: 122 S. Iowa ave. and 310 N. McLean.
Ordinance No. 3250-2025 amends the Municipal Code of the City of Ottumwa, Iowa, specifically updating various sections of Chapter 23, Motor Vehicles and Traffic. The primary goal of these amendments is to revise parking and traffic regulations within the city, particularly focusing on areas around downtown Ottumwa and near Ottumwa High School. The changes around the high school were requested by the school district to enhance parking and traffic circulation, ensuring a safer environment for students and staff. In addition, adjustments in the downtown area were initiated by local businesses and their customers, reflecting a community-driven effort to improve accessibility and flow in this vital commercial zone. City staff have thoroughly reviewed the proposed changes and have expressed their support for the updated regulations, highlighting a collaborative approach to enhancing the city’s transportation infrastructure. The first consideration was passed on October 7th. The second Consideration was:
Tuesday night City Council previewed the Fiscal Year 2025 Quarter One Preliminary Financial Report. No Vote was required for this item.
Moving to the next Item Approve Hearing Protection Policy
The City Council of Ottumwa, Iowa, is hereby authorized to allow the Mayor to sign the Grant Agreement Addendum between the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Ottumwa Regional Airport. This action follows the City Council’s approval of the IDOT GAVI Grant on November 7, 2023, which is designated for the T-Hanger project at the airport. The Grant Agreement Addendum is essential for extending the original Grant Agreement through May 31, 2026, ensuring continued development and funding for the T-Hanger project. In addition, city staff is directed to submit the Grant Agreement Addendum to the IDOT. The Grant Agreement Addendum, along with the original Grant Agreement, is attached for reference.
A resolution is hereby presented to award contracts for the asbestos abatement and demolition of the condemned property located at 418 Vernon. Bids for the asbestos removal, demolition, and cleanup were accepted until 2 P.M. on October 9, 2025. During this bidding process, four bids for asbestos removal and five bids for demolition were received. After thorough review and consideration, staff recommends awarding the contract to Dan Laursen, who submitted the best bid totaling $22,600.00 for the asbestos removal, demolition, and cleanup. A bid tabulation is attached for reference. Therefore, the [Name of the governing body, e.g., City Council, Board of Trustees, etc.] hereby awards the contract to Dan Laursen in the amount of $22,600.00 and authorizes the appropriate staff to execute the necessary documents to finalize the contract.
A resolution is proposed to award the contract for the demolition of the condemned property located at 604 Gladstone. Bids for the demolition and cleanup were accepted until 2 P.M. on October 9, 2025. A total of five demolition bids were received, with Tim Skinner submitting the most competitive offer at $4,499.00 for the complete demolition and cleanup. Based on the evaluation of the bids, staff recommends awarding the contract to Tim Skinner.
The City Council is considering the renewal of the professional services agreement with Retail Strategies LLC to support Ottumwa’s economic development efforts. On September 20, 2022, the Council approved resolution No. 1227-2022, which engaged Retail Strategies to enhance the city’s capacity in retail market analysis, prospect identification, and national recruitment. This specialized expertise has significantly bolstered the efforts of city staff, helping Ottumwa remain competitive in attracting new investments. To ensure the city continues to proactively shape its retail landscape and seize emerging opportunities, staff recommends renewing the three-year contract with Retail Strategies. The continuation of these services is essential for maintaining momentum in retail growth, and the partnership has already proven to be a valuable investment in the community’s economic vitality, as evidenced by various success stories. Looking ahead, this collaboration will play a crucial role in strengthening the community’s future and addressing the opportunities in the pipeline.
Here’s a concise summary of the key points regarding the strategic plan and consultant obligations for Ottumwa:
Strategic Plan Overview
- Support Community Vitality:
- Enhances residents’ quality of life with more retail options.
- Attracts visitors and regional shoppers, boosting local spending.
- Strengthens the city’s tax base to support essential services.
- Reinforces economic development initiatives by creating a marketable environment.
Consultant Obligations
- Outreach:
- Conduct daily/weekly outreach to national retail and restaurant brands to showcase available sites.
- Research & Resources:
- Provide ongoing market research and resources to officials and businesses.
- Updates:
- Deliver consistent updates summarizing outreach efforts and retailer feedback.
- Representation:
- Represent Ottumwa at national retail trade conferences to stay updated on trends and opportunities.
- Collaboration:
- Act as an extension of Ottumwa staff to promote economic development.
Budget Considerations
- Consultant Fees:
- Estimated budget impact of $50,000 per year for three consecutive years.
