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On April 21st at approximately 5:30 pm the Ottumwa City Council opened with Invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance.
The consent agenda part #1 contained these items:
Minutes from Special Meeting No. 12 on April 7, 2026, Regular Meeting No. 13 on April 7, 2026, and Special Work Session No. 14 on April 14, 2026 as presented.
Acknowledge and approve April 21, 2026, Claims List as submitted by the Finance Department.
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Acknowledge March 2026 Financial Statements as submitted by the Finance Department.
Resolution No. 80- 2026, approving a three- year lease agreement with the Ottumwa Community School District for the use of the Beach Ottumwa facilities.
All of these items was approved.
1.In the Ordinances Council discussed:
Section One: Repeal & replace Sec. 2- 78( b)( 4) as follows: Coordinate and supervise the official conduct and affairs of all officers and department heads of the city, and shall annually evaluate the performance of all officers and department heads, with the exception of the city clerk. The city clerk shall be supervised and evaluated by the city council.
Section Two: Repeal & replace Sec. 2- 80( b) as follows: 1) The city administrator shall appoint such department heads as the city administrator deems necessary for the effective and efficient operation of the city. Any such appointment shall be subject to the approval of the city council, except as provided by state law.
Section Three: Repeal & replace Sec. 2- 82 as follows: c) The city administrator may remove or suspend a department head, but any such removal shall be subject to the approval of the city council, except as provided by state law. A public hearing may be requested by the department head as provided by state law. The above referenced sections have been reviewed by legal and presented to HR to confirm they conform to current personnel policies. These changes were recommended by city council for staff to draft and adopt.
The City of Ottumwa is considering a proposed ordinance that would shift more oversight of city leadership decisions to the city council, particularly when it comes to hiring and firing department heads.
Under the proposed changes, the city administrator would still be responsible for appointing department heads. However, those appointments would no longer be final without approval from the city council. This adjustment is aimed at giving elected officials a more direct role in shaping city leadership and ensuring accountability in key administrative positions.
The ordinance also clarifies how department heads and employees are supervised. The city administrator would continue overseeing most department heads and conducting annual performance evaluations, while the city council would retain direct oversight of the city clerk. Department heads would still manage hiring within their own departments, but those decisions would remain subject to the administrator’s approval.
When it comes to disciplinary actions, including suspension or removal, the proposal outlines a clearer process. The city administrator would have the authority to remove or suspend department heads, but any such decision would require city council approval. Employees and officers would still have the right to request a public hearing as allowed under state law.
Additionally, the ordinance allows for flexibility in combining certain city offices—such as finance director and treasurer, or public works director and city engineer—if approved by the city council. It also ensures that any conflicting ordinances are repealed and includes a standard clause stating that if part of the ordinance is ruled invalid, the rest would remain in effect.
If adopted, the ordinance would take effect following approval and publication, becoming part of the city’s municipal code. Overall, the changes are designed to increase collaboration between the city administrator and council while reinforcing transparency and oversight in local government operations.
2.CONSIDER RESOLUTION NO. 81- 2026 APPROVING DOWNTOWN ROOF REPLACEMENT GRANTS FOR 105, 107, AND 109 EAST MAIN STREET.
The City of Ottumwa is moving forward with financial support for three downtown properties as part of its Roof Replacement Grant Program. Applications were submitted for buildings located at 105, 107, and 109 East Main Street, all of which were reviewed and recommended for approval by the Downtown Grants Review Committee.
The program covers up to 50% of eligible project costs, with a maximum award of $10,000 per property. In total, the City is committing up to $30,000 from its downtown grant fund to help fund these roof replacement projects.
City officials say the improvements will help protect the structural integrity of the buildings, prevent further deterioration, and support ongoing efforts to revitalize the downtown district. The investment also aligns with broader goals of encouraging reinvestment in existing properties and strengthening the long-term economic health of the area.
The City Council approved the resolution on April 21, 2026, allowing city officials to move forward with the necessary agreements and reimbursements once project requirements are met.
The next Ottumwa Council Meeting will be held on May 5th at 5:30 pm
