Ottumwa City Council is brought to by Jakki and Fonzi with Cars and Cash located in Ottumwa.
The Ottumwa City Council met Tuesday night for its first meeting of the month, approving multiple agenda items focused on public safety, historic preservation, economic development, and city operations.
Both Consent Agenda items were approved without issue.
Council members approved Ordinance No. 3253-2026, officially reinstating the City’s Public Safety Advisory Committee, which had been discontinued in December 2024. The committee will act as an advisory and communication body for the Ottumwa Fire Department, Ottumwa Police Department, and the City’s Traffic Engineer.
The goal of the committee is to strengthen communication between public safety departments, city leadership, and residents, while also helping guide policy decisions tied to public safety and future growth.
The committee will consist of five members appointed by the mayor and approved by the council. Three members must live within the City of Ottumwa, while two may live elsewhere in Wapello County but must own a home or business within city limits. Members will serve staggered four-year terms and may serve up to two consecutive terms, with limited exceptions if qualified applicants are unavailable. Members will serve without pay but may be reimbursed for approved expenses.
A city council liaison will also be assigned to the committee but will not have voting authority. The committee will meet monthly, hold public meetings, and work closely with city department heads. Its duties include gathering public input, conducting research at the direction of city leadership, recommending public safety policies and programs, and assisting with long-term planning for the Fire, Police, and Streets departments. The committee may also offer input during future hiring processes for department leadership, though it will not review employee conduct governed by state law.
The ordinance also allows for the appointment of a non-voting youth member between the ages of 14 and 18, who will serve a one-year term and provide a youth perspective on public safety matters.
The ordinance passed its first consideration on January 20, 2026, and will take effect following final approval and publication as required by law.
Council members also reviewed and approved the City of Ottumwa’s 2025 Certified Local Government (CLG) Annual Report, which is required for continued participation in the CLG program. The report outlines the activities of the Historic Preservation Commission throughout the year, including meetings, preservation planning efforts, public outreach, training, partnerships, and challenges.
Historic Preservation Commission Chair Brenda Case presented a brief overview of the report. City Council approval and the mayor’s signature are required before submission to the State Historic Preservation Office. City officials say approval supports goals outlined in the City’s Comprehensive and Strategic Plans and has no budget impact.
In other business, the council approved a resolution authorizing tax abatements for nine properties—eight residential and one commercial—pending final review by the local assessor. The approved projects include three new single-family homes, one multi-residential remodel, one commercial remodel, and several qualifying improvements to existing properties. The total estimated value of the improvements is approximately $1.73 million.
Tax abatement is available citywide under Ottumwa’s Urban Revitalization Plan and applies to the added value created by eligible property improvements. All applications were submitted in compliance with city requirements and selected approved abatement schedules. The resolution was formally approved on February 3, 2026.
The council also approved an amended and restated 28E agreement governing the operation of the local sanitary landfill. The Solid Waste Commission, which includes elected officials from the City of Ottumwa and Wapello County, has operated the landfill under a joint agreement since 1973.
City officials say updates were needed to clarify roles and modernize the agreement to reflect current operations. Ahlers & Cooney assisted with drafting the revised document, which updates operational, financial, and administrative procedures. The amended agreement establishes a ten-year term with automatic renewals, confirms joint ownership, and outlines budgeting and cost-sharing procedures. It also confirms the City of Ottumwa’s role in providing administrative, staffing, and insurance support.
Final approval is still required from the Wapello County Board of Supervisors. Once approved by both entities, the agreement will be filed with the Iowa Secretary of State.
Council members also approved a new resolution updating the Ottumwa Fire Department’s fee schedule, rescinding a previous resolution adopted in December 2025. The updated schedule is intended to recover costs associated with services that go beyond standard emergency response.
City officials say the fees help cover both direct and indirect costs, including equipment use, personnel time, training, and administrative functions. Under the new resolution, a 20 percent administrative fee—capped at $100—will be added to certain incident invoices to cover billing and accounting costs.
The schedule includes hourly rates for apparatus and personnel, with a one-hour minimum and 15-minute billing increments thereafter. Charges may apply for technical rescues, motor vehicle crashes involving violations of law, hazardous materials incidents, utility-related emergencies, special event standby, fireworks and pyrotechnic displays, and other non-routine services.
Additional fees were established for fire safety inspections, system reviews and testing, fireworks permits, educational services such as CPR and first aid training, and lift assists under specific circumstances.
City leaders say the updated fee structure promotes fairness by ensuring that individuals or entities responsible for non-routine or preventable incidents help cover the associated costs rather than placing the full burden on taxpayers. The Fire Chief and City Administrator retain discretion to reduce or waive fees when appropriate.
