The Tuesday evening Ottumwa City Council meeting was sponsored by Jakki and Fonzi of Cars and Cash, located on North Madison Avenue in Ottumwa.
During Consent Agenda Part 1, the council approved a request from the Knights of Columbus to hold its annual Tootsie Roll Drive at various Ottumwa businesses from October 9-11, 2026.
During the public hearing, Jake Rusch presented the proposed sale of 113 E. Maple Street to Enrique Sanchez for $9,800. The council approved the sale by a 4-0 vote.
Council Member Bill Hoffman was absent Tuesday night.
The meeting concluded with two resolutions.
Barb Codjoe, Director of Human Resources, presented a memorandum of understanding between the City of Ottumwa and the Public Works Committee bargaining unit. The agreement establishes a consistent and equitable process for setting the starting wage of newly hired Engineering Technician I employees. The goal is to ensure that no new employee in the position begins at a higher wage than a current employee in the same classification.
Under the agreement, employees hired between July 1, 2026, and December 31, 2026, will start at $22.09 per hour. Employees hired between January 1, 2027, and June 30, 2027, will begin at $22.40 per hour.
Codjoe also explained that the starting wage for Fiscal Year 2028 will be calculated after the City Council approves the applicable cost-of-living adjustment. Once approved, the city will determine the FY2028 starting wage using the same formula and will notify the union of the updated rate.
The second resolution was presented by Phillip Burgmeier of the Engineering Department. The resolution authorizes the mayor to execute a permanent sewer easement and temporary construction easement agreement with Elliott Oil for the Blake’s Branch Phase 8, Division 3 Sewer Separation Project.
Both resolutions were introduced Tuesday night and will return to the City Council at a future meeting for discussion and possible approval.
