[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6551663,"mediaKeyId","5330431-0d06c95b6c27cce3fd825f91619e716a","parentId",5330431,"title","Votes at a glance: Oskaloosa council rejects Eighth Avenue plans, approves 911 funding and other measures","audioSeconds",2667,"startMs",770000,"endMs",3437000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5330431-0d06c95b6c27cce3fd825f91619e716a&start=770&end=3437","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5330431-0d06c95b6c27cce3fd825f91619e716a/thumbnail_770000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6551663/Oskaloosa/Mahaska-County/Iowa/Votes-at-a-glance-Oskaloosa-council-rejects-Eighth-Avenue-plans-approves-911-funding-and-other-measures","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551663-b1371f1d26dc6f99a918d43728ba040d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154160&Signature=Ey9FJgM2V~CRaWn1jNTPCBIzkW-kHIpsEVrhuOa2oMROmGE7kJS-5GyVhK034Z7Sfm0ktbNluwIOMIn7AfUGqxG3ODyJqQKiPn97VJbIAHqNSMcXs3yNZS6C6We18bysGhnBiHdWN4mBSI78TJBUyiliEOOOzBGxT5c~8QU5jjur3kU~wJ09E1n5lzZxkGoaytn4NyGXK-hRb1YkzI3uFsB80PjGZ0xwP9HLJAIG9Lywge4IEpRKJF-Lwhb2Yt3t9bfwt9DmHLw9BwIgJljYa8OHtEYSC12900vFi7s7tfT2yuKabeQ3KYskzClioz4g~w69lfE9YuMrIqFYJSalnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Oskaloosa","date","2025-07-08T19:10:05Z","article","Below are the formal actions recorded by the Oskaloosa City Council on July 7, 2025, as captured in the meeting transcript. If a precise roll-call tally for every member is not stated in the audio, the meeting record indicates the final outcome.

1) Consent agenda (claims, appointments, filings, hearings): Motion to adopt the consent agenda as presented, including payment of claims for June 2025 and appointment of Stanley McCause to the Library Board (6-year term), and scheduling public hearings on vacation of street right-of-way along Gateway Drive and on rezoning at 1201 C Avenue East. Outcome: approved (roll call recorded as all present voting yes). Note: council discussion raised the brevity of the library-board applicant's application; a council member asked why an application was not available in the record.

2) Resolution — Consider bid for property at 806 North H Street (redevelopment with minimum bid; only one $500 bid received from Bruce and Judy Street to tear down buildings). Motion: reject the bid. Outcome: motion to reject the single $500 bid was approved; council discussed demolition cost estimates ($12,000–$14,000) and existing demo grant rules requiring reconstruction for grant eligibility.

3) Resolution — Approve final plans, specs, form of contract, and estimated cost for Eighth Avenue West Reconstruction project (as presented, including sidewalks on both sides). Motion: approve plans as presented. Outcome: failed on roll call; staff will return with alternative options (for example, single-sidewalk options) and revised cost/diagram information. Engineer's estimate provided at meeting: $192,138.

4) Resolution — Authorize monthly voluntary contribution to Mahaska County 911 center for July 2025–June 2026 (total $466,565.28; $38,880.44 per month). Motion: approve contribution. Outcome: approved on roll call; staff said a formal agreement with the county is being developed and the dollar amount could change in future months depending on negotiated terms.

5) Resolution — Accept public improvements completed as part of the Musco Downtown Public Improvements Project (installation of PCC pavement, ADA sidewalk, storm sewer intakes and pipe). Motion: approve acceptance. Outcome: approved; one council member abstained due to an employment/contract relationship with a firm involved in the project; council member explained consultation with city attorney and abstained from the vote.

6) Strategic plan: Motion to approve the updated city strategic plan and begin developing goals and performance metrics. Outcome: approved.

Notes: The meeting record also included code enforcement updates, vacancy announcements for multiple boards and commissions, and extended public-comment testimony about neighborhood dogs. The Eighth Avenue West action was the only item at the meeting that failed on roll call.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025 July 7 City of Oskaloosa, Iowa","oneSentenceSummary","Below are the formal actions recorded by the Oskaloosa City Council on July 7, 2025, as captured in the meeting transcript.","taxTitle","Oskaloosa , Mahaska County , Iowa","taxId",52335,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6551667,"Eighth Avenue West reconstruction plan stalls after council splits over sidewalks",1105,1742000,2847000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5330431-0d06c95b6c27cce3fd825f91619e716a&start=1742&end=2847","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5330431-0d06c95b6c27cce3fd825f91619e716a/thumbnail_1742000.jpg","/articles/6551667/Oskaloosa/Mahaska-County/Iowa/Eighth-Avenue-West-reconstruction-plan-stalls-after-council-splits-over-sidewalks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551667-db9fae878af09b50d956301f953d1aae/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154160&Signature=Rflsb8ONLTYOZZzvGCW2PMstKJz~g10yCMwMnKIWL40dp7L~VumYugvMeFS7CLEV3hzufzcAYmdL5GgUfWpDluqHkl2KUoYyx7ARBlOcymtBh95wEUq117t038vUt3yDdkZ464in9D4qBa7fgvCkDuc8D9w0aEouD6av~wonhyMz43e2sEM9-JBnp2R22nylnEXxwuiwe6ZQ3UWqyjfX6I9a4tWGme9NGh297unm3cRBxYJDcQ~jTZ9ab3kE6wIen3lEY3jtce4xF8FUcy73XWZz-Ckhd0UOCw9xvuvYLVI37cQ1TGg~9vd4EGZsyThLifgIp-qMAd8u1zY-YAtgYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Oskaloosa City Council on July 7 declined to approve final plans and specifications for the Eighth Avenue West Reconstruction project after a prolonged debate about whether sidewalks should be installed on both sides of the street.

City staff presented plans prepared by Gardner and Associates with an engineer's estimate of $192,138 and a scope that included surface removal, subgrade preparation, subbase and surface restoration. The project as presented included sidewalks on both sides of the roughly five- to six-house, dead-end street and a fully reconstructed 26-foot roadway.

Resident Les Martin addressed the council in favor of resurfacing but opposed sidewalks on both sides. \"Collectively, we are not in favor of having sidewalks on that dead end road,\" Martin said, arguing that money would be better spent elsewhere and that sidewalks on both sides would be unnecessary on a low-traffic cul-de-sac.

Council members and staff debated several points: safety and connectivity; whether one-sided sidewalks would serve pedestrians adequately; utility relocation costs; and emergency access for fire and service trucks. Supporters of sidewalks said they increase connectivity and long-term mobility, pointing to a broader sidewalk/connectivity plan. Opponents said a 26-foot road narrowed by sidewalks could impede large farm equipment, garbage trucks and emergency vehicles and would create parking restrictions for full-size vehicles.

City staff noted that franchise agreements generally require utilities to bear the cost of moving lines, reducing the city's share of utility relocation costs. Staff also said the design included a full subbase replacement and a concrete section intended to withstand fire and garbage trucks.

After discussion and two proposed alternatives floated by council members — including returning with a single-sidewalk option — the council moved to approve the plans as presented and, on roll call, the motion failed. The council did not approve a contract; staff said the item could be brought back with revised options (for example, a single sidewalk or alternate cross sections) for further consideration.

The engineer's timeline indicated a notice to proceed on or around Aug. 4 and 30 working days to complete the project if a contract had been approved. With the plans not approved, those timelines are on hold.

Council members encouraged staff to return with clearer options — including a single-sidewalk alternative and illustrations showing parking and emergency-vehicle turning clearances — so residents and councilors could weigh trade-offs before the council votes again.

","Councilors debated whether to install sidewalks on both sides of the dead-end Eighth Avenue West street during a reconstruction project; plans and specs failed on a roll call vote after residents and some councilors opposed sidewalks on both sides.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6551672,"Residents say 13 unvaccinated dogs are creating health and welfare concerns; animal control response questioned",353,157000,510000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5330431-0d06c95b6c27cce3fd825f91619e716a&start=157&end=510","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5330431-0d06c95b6c27cce3fd825f91619e716a/thumbnail_157000.jpg","/articles/6551672/Oskaloosa/Mahaska-County/Iowa/Residents-say-13-unvaccinated-dogs-are-creating-health-and-welfare-concerns-animal-control-response-questioned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551672-cf5c727fd537b71e04926d1c350893e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154160&Signature=ZkZmvDZaBzUj6ObDr-wWVxqJPiMhYioblgytdp6RmfeY6~kh95JFegh8giDzHe7iP9ZosG4DPscAU3aDztfdyie4rikTdsXbOU9FX~MM06fcUSqanogDuB6mqKayJKVZhKr3eV3jqTz6xIXGT9ZjX5EnA3uViay1SQhRkQUI0VwCrB21s04ttlWSkbRJUqzWnu7dJAYuekuSXjB2CiT1vtLtg6VNSOGOol7DOXvD6DjVnKhwP3F-2j5Q1CrvgANHsBlPT1Nhdzo~VW3EXNww4lihJ6AMjcqDQXqy-lmdUGLfKTDWVT-tTZAo2JiJBNwGnJqNxNxjjol5YVTxyg4HBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Two Oskaloosa residents told the City Council on July 7 that a single home in their neighborhood houses 13 large dogs that repeatedly escape, bark for hours and appear not to have current vaccinations, and they asked the city to enforce animal-control laws.

\"Hi. I'm Jennifer Weiner, citizen of Oskaloosa, and I'm here to speak about our dog ordinances,\" Jennifer Weiner told the council during the public-comment period. She said she called dispatch and an officer went to the house after a disturbance on May 29. \"There are 13 of them, and they are unvaccinated and they do get out and they are a constant,\" she said. Weiner said the homeowner admitted using a stun gun on the dogs that evening and that she provided a video to animal control but had not received a follow-up.

Gina Tacky, who said she has repeatedly called both animal control and the police, echoed those concerns. \"These 13 dogs are unvaccinated and do not receive any vet care,\" Tacky said, and added that animal-control welfare checks did not document vaccination records or address ongoing barking and fighting.

Both speakers described a cycle in which dispatch directs callers to animal control and animal control asks callers to contact law enforcement. Weiner said she was told by police that the homeowner said he could not take in 13 dogs and that the officer would \"follow up with animal control,\" but she said she has not received a full report or sustained enforcement since May 29. Tacky said she contacted outside rescue groups but was told she must continue pursuing local enforcement.

Council members and staff did not announce a specific new enforcement action during the meeting. In remarks near the end of the meeting, one council member described a recent, separate dog-attack incident; the council member praised the local 911/dispatch response and said that those local responses underscored the need to address aggressive or unvaccinated animals through better management and resources.

The speakers said multiple city ordinances are being violated but did not provide ordinance numbers; they asked the council to explain how residents can get consistent enforcement. City staff present did not provide a detailed timeline of follow-up actions in the council meeting record.

Residents asked the council for clearer communication about the enforcement process — for example, whether a recorded video will be accepted as evidence, how animal-control welfare checks are documented, and what triggers citations or seizure — and for faster responses where animals appear to be in danger.

The council did not take an on-the-spot vote related to the complaints. Staff later noted that animal-control calls and code-enforcement reports are tracked through the city's complaint system, and speakers urged staff to follow up with the complainants and report back to the council.

For now, residents at the meeting said they will continue to file complaints and to attend council meetings until they see sustained action.

","Two neighbors told the Oskaloosa City Council that a single property is keeping 13 dogs that repeatedly escape, fight and are not vaccinated; residents said repeated calls to dispatch and animal control have not produced lasting enforcement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Oskaloosa council rejects Eighth Avenue plans, approves 911 funding and other measures

Eighth Avenue West reconstruction plan stalls after council splits over sidewalks

Residents say 13 unvaccinated dogs are creating health and welfare concerns; animal control response questioned