The Ottumwa City Council Meeting, sponsored by Jakki and Fonzi with Cars and Cash, located on N. Madison in Ottumwa.
Tuesdays night Ottumwa City Council Meeting started off by approving Agenda 1 and 2.
DEPARTMENTAL, BOARD, OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS/ REPORTS:
Fiscal Year 2026 First Quarter Financial Report.
2025, Approving MOU to current collective bargaining Agreement with
Ottumwa Association of Professional Firefighters Local 395.
Our current contract includes a base hourly wage plus additional monthly stipends for HAZMAT and EMT certifications. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, all forms of regular compensation must be included when calculating the “regular rate” used for overtime. Since no FLSA exemptions apply, the regular rate for firefighters must include:
- Hourly wage
- Longevity pay (if applicable)
- Out-of-rank pay (if applicable)
- EMT certification pay
- HAZMAT certification pay
Currently, only hourly pay and longevity are used when calculating overtime, leaving EMT and HAZMAT stipends out. This MOU corrects that so all regularly paid compensation is included.
Financial Impact
We already pay EMT and HAZMAT stipends monthly, so adding them into the hourly rate will not increase those costs. It may slightly reduce total compensation for newer firefighters because EMT and HAZMAT stipends would be added when certifications are obtained, not immediately upon hire.
Including the additional $0.80 per hour in regular rate calculations will raise the overtime rate by $1.20 per hour.
This work continues what began in prior contract negotiations, where we corrected past FLSA overtime miscalculations. We are now ensuring the regular rate is calculated correctly and will address any necessary back pay for affected employees.
Designating Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for Certain Capital Projects
and Economic Development Activities.
As part of the FY 27- 31 CIP, three projects were to be funded, in whole or
in part, by TIF revenue. In order to receive the funds, the City Council
must pass a resolution certifying the debt by identifying the use and
requested amount. This does not commit the Council to the project but
insures the funds are available should the projects move forward.
Additionally, staff has budgeted the annual support for GOPIP to be
funded through TIF. The projects and amounts are as follows:
Greater Ottumwa Partners in Progress $ 60, 000. 00
Airport Rehabilitation of Taxi- Lanes $ 75, 000. 00 ( grant match)
Bridgeview Center Roof Replacement $ 403, 619. 00
Accessible Playground Project 250,000. 00 ( city contribution)
Approving and adopting a revised Building and Facility Security Policy
for the City of Ottumwa.
One of the reasons for the renovation of city hall was to increase the
facility security for employees and public assets, similar to other buildings
and facilities throughout the city. Upon review of how other municipal
entities addressed this, an outdated, general facility security policy was
identified. The attached policy provides an update which outlines the
procedures for how the City will manage access to secure areas within
municipal buildings and facilities. In addition to security, the policy is
aimed to aid in limiting the spread of illness, enhancing operational
efficiency, achieving regulatory compliance and other areas.
Authorizing the Mayor to sign a Street Lighting
Resolution for Alliant Energy to remove a street light for the Market Street Inclusive Play Space
Project.
The plans for the Market Street Inclusive Play Space Project require a street
light to be removed. In order for Alliant Energy to remove the street light, a Street Lighting
Resolution must be completed and signed by a City Official and adopted by the City Council.
This resolution will remove the street light at the Market Street Entrance. A new one will be
installed as part of the project.
Approving Change Order# 1 and accepting the work as final
and complete and approving the Final Pay Request for the 2021 Sanitary Utility Access Program.
This project replaced sanitary utility access in existing sanitary sewer lines and associated
patch work. Manholes were replaced at locations that had either limited access points or problem areas
prone to plugging causing increased cleaning maintenance.
Change Order# 1 decreases the contract sum by$ 20, 499. 43 for the decrease of quantity adjustments.
Original Contract Amount 49, 800. 00
Change Order# 1 20, 499. 43)
New Contract Amount 29, 300. 57
Less Previous Payments 27, 702. 47
Final Amount Due 1, 598. 10
The contractor has completed the work according to the Plans and Specifications and this will release all
retainage, and authorize final payment.
Budgeted Amount: $ 50, 000 Sewer Fund
Approving Change Order# 1 and accepting the work as final
and complete and approving the Final Pay Request for the 2022 Sanitary Utility Access Program.
This project replaced sanitary utility access in existing sanitary sewer lines and associated
patch work. Manholes were replaced at locations that had either limited access points or problem areas
prone to plugging causing increased cleaning maintenance.
Change Order# 1 decreases the contract sum by$ 34, 369. 57 for the decrease of quantity adjustments.
Original Contract Amount 56, 600. 00
Change Order# 1 34, 369. 57)
New Contract Amount 22, 230. 43
Less Previous Payments 19, 693. 91
Final Amount Due 2, 536. 52
The contractor has completed the work according to the Plans and Specifications and this will release all
retainage, and authorize final payment.
Budgeted Amount: $ 50, 000 Sewer Fund
The next Council Meeting is scheduled for December6, 2025 at City Hall. Starts at 5:30pm in Council Chambers
