Votes at a glance: Oskaloosa council passes multiple routine ordinances, accepts construction work and names interim city manager

The Oskaloosa City Council on Dec. 16 acted on several routine and administrative matters: it approved the consent agenda, accepted substantial completion on a street reconstruction project and a corresponding payment application, adopted or advanced multiple ordinances, authorized amendments to professional services and task orders, and appointed an interim city manager.

Highlights

- Consent agenda: The council approved the consent agenda, which included a resolution setting a Jan. 21 public hearing to levy a special assessment for nuisance abatement at 910 Hyam New West (citing Oskaloosa Municipal Code 8.08.080) and included ordinances concerning property taxes in the Edmondson North Urban Renewal Area and amended Oskaloosa urban renewal area (third readings noted). The consent motion passed by roll call.

- North 6th Street: The council accepted substantial completion on the North 6th Street reconstruction project and approved pay application No. 2 in the amount of $40,945 for storm sewer and pavement work.

- Professional services/task order amendment: The council approved a resolution amending an existing agreement to add approximately $990,000 in work for the design phase and related services; staff recommended approval of the amendment and the motion passed by roll call.

- Ordinances and code updates: The council considered and voted on multiple ordinance items: an ordinance amending Title 2 (administration/personnel) to modify Planning and Zoning Commission and Board of Adjustment membership related to the two-mile zoning extension (public hearing opened and closed); a first reading amendment to Article V of the city charter to comply with Iowa law regarding board and commission residency requirements; and a second reading of amendments to Chapter 13.08 (sewage system) clarifying code language and updating fees by reference to the city fee schedule. Each item was moved and received a roll-call vote recorded in the minutes.

- Beanstair & Kim professional services: The council authorized a professional services agreement and task orders with Beanstair and Kim, Inc., for engineering/surveying services related to the natatorium/pool project, including pre-demolition and post-construction surveys.

- Interim city manager appointment: The council appointed Randy DeGeese as interim city manager effective Dec. 17, 2024, at $200 per hour with a contemplated minimum of 10 hours per week plus meetings; the appointment terminates when the city hires a full-time city manager or the council ends the interim term.

What this means: Most items on the Dec. 16 agenda were procedural or implementation steps — routine contract amendments, code updates and project closeout actions — and were approved by roll-call votes recorded in the meeting. Several items (notably the airport 28E amendment) were the subject of more extended debate and are covered in a separate report.

Provenance: Consent items and the North 6th acceptance appear beginning around 772–836 seconds in the transcript; the interim city manager appointment discussion and vote appear around 2499–2609 seconds.

Ending: The council finished its regular agenda after acting on these items and moved to informational reports and committee updates.