Ottumwa City Council Meeting is brought to you by Jakki and Fonzi Cars and Cash located on N. Madison in Ottumwa.
The Ottumwa City Council held its second regular meeting of the month on Tuesday evening. Council members approved Consent Agenda items #1 and #2 without further discussion.
Among the resolutions considered was approval to continue the replacement process for the Elm Street Lift Station pumps at the Ottumwa Water Pollution Control Facility. City staff reported that the manufacturer has redesigned the pumps currently in use and will be discontinuing both the existing models and their replacement parts. The first replacement pump was ordered in June 2024 and received in March 2025. The city plans to order one new pump in fiscal year 2026 and another the following year due to long lead times of approximately 22 to 24 weeks. The first pump cost $115,917.21, while the newly quoted pump is priced at $126,175. The project remains within the FY26 budgeted amount of $150,000 and was approved by the council.
Council members also approved a resolution authorizing staff to submit Airport Capital Improvement Program (ACIP) data sheets and related documents to the Iowa Department of Transportation for fiscal years 2027 through 2030. The ACIP serves as the city’s annual airport improvement plan and acts as a pre-application for IDOT grant funding. Planned projects include T-hangar and taxi-lane improvements beginning in 2027, phased rehabilitation of taxi lanes near the T-hangar area, taxiway design and construction projects, and future improvements such as LED lighting, new signage, and runway renumbering. Estimated project costs are included in the city’s Capital Improvement Program.
The council approved a change to the budgeted hours for the Parking Attendant position within the Parking Enforcement Department. Following a recent retirement and the hiring of a new employee, city staff recommended adjusting the position to 56 hours per pay period to better align with operational needs and staffing demands. The position remains funded through the General Fund.
Council members also accepted the Albia Road and Quincy Avenue Roundabout Project as final and complete. The project addressed a high-crash intersection and was supported by a $500,000 Traffic Safety Improvement Program grant, the maximum amount available. The original contract totaled $777,949.30, with change orders adding $4,470.90, bringing the final contract amount to $782,420.20. After previous payments, a final payment of $39,121.01 was approved. The resolution releases all retainage and authorizes final payment to Wicks Construction, Inc. of Decorah, Iowa, as well as approval for the mayor to sign final Iowa DOT documentation.
Before the meeting adjourned, Mayor Rick Johnson reflected on his time serving the City of Ottumwa, expressing how much he enjoyed the opportunity and calling it an honor. Council Member Bill McAntire also shared remarks about his service to the community during his time on the council.
The next Ottumwa City Council meeting is scheduled for January 6, 2025, and will be presided over by Mayor-elect Benjamin Foote.
