Council directs staff to propose Complete Streets exceptions, schedules hearing to reconsider Eighth Avenue West reconstruction

OSKALOOSA, Iowa — The Oskaloosa City Council on July 21 directed staff to draft additional, narrowly defined exceptions to the city's Complete Streets policy and set a public hearing for Aug. 4 to reconsider plans and specifications for the Eighth Avenue West reconstruction project.

The action follows months of discussion and public comment about a design for Eighth Avenue West that would replace pavement and add sidewalks on both sides of the street. The current design includes new Portland cement concrete (PCC) pavement and sidewalks; staff estimated the engineering cost at $192,138. Some residents and council members expressed concern that the proposed cross-section could block agricultural access to adjacent parcels and would impose a sidewalk and curb configuration they opposed.

Why it matters: The council's choice affects whether the reconstruction proceeds on the current timeline and under the existing Complete Streets policy, which guides addition of sidewalks and other nonmotorized facilities to city projects. A decision to revise the policy or reopen project specs could delay work and shift the project into next-year budgeting and prioritization.

Discussion and direction: Council members reached agreement that the Complete Streets policy should remain, but that staff should prepare clearer, less subjective exceptions. Council discussed options including (1) leaving the policy unchanged, (2) adding defined exceptions (for example, dead-end roads or locations where sidewalks terminate without connection), or (3) removing the policy entirely. By motion, the council selected option (2) and directed staff to draft specific exception criteria and return the results at a future work session. Staff and council members agreed the exceptions should be tightly written (flowchart-like) to reduce subjectivity for engineers and to provide predictable guidance for project design and public hearings.

Eighth Avenue West hearing: Separately, the council voted to set a public hearing for Aug. 4, 2025, to reconsider the plans and specifications for Eighth Avenue West Reconstruction (South M Street to the west dead end). The scope summarized by staff includes roughly 1,215 square yards of PCC pavement, 256 square yards of PCC driveways, and 255 square yards of PCC sidewalk, plus related site work. Bids were previously opened June 27 and would remain valid for 60 days if the council approves plans following the hearing.

Council noted two procedural points: a bid package locks in the design and price if accepted, and any substantive changes after bid opening typically require rebidding. Several council members urged outreach to nearby communities and review of other municipalities’ exceptions to avoid re-creating language and to consider special accommodations for agricultural access where appropriate.

Next steps: Staff will (a) collect examples of Complete Streets exceptions used by nearby communities, (b) draft a set of objective exception criteria (including categories suggested by council: dead-end roads, legal/regulatory impediments, and existing rural access needs), and (c) return with recommendations and a proposed work-session schedule. The Eighth Avenue West plans will be the subject of a public hearing on Aug. 4, per the council’s vote.

Ending: The council emphasized that any change to the Complete Streets policy should be narrowly targeted to avoid undermining long-term sidewalk connectivity goals while resolving specific, localized concerns.