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Keokuk Council awards $1.19 million Riverfront Trail contract; city to cover roughly $300,000
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Summary
The Keokuk City Council on Aug. 7 awarded a $1,193,777 contract to Jones Contracting Corp. for the Riverfront Trail and authorized related consultant services, while discussing a roughly $300,000 city funding gap and private donations that will reduce the local share.
The Keokuk City Council voted Aug. 7 to award the construction contract for the Keokuk Riverfront Trail to Jones Contracting Corp. for $1,193,777, and separately approved a $65,000 consultant services supplement with Shoemaker & Holland to support project construction.
The council’s action, presented by the presiding officer, follows multiple grant awards and prior planning. Staff said the total project cost is approximately $1,350,000, with about $1,050,000 expected from four separate grants; the city’s remaining local portion this fiscal year is roughly $300,000, after accounting for private donations, staff said.
“We have a responsibility now. It’s $300,000 out of the general fund that’s gonna be the city’s portion of this cost in this year,” said S1, a council member, describing the immediate budget obligation and the project’s long history. S5 (staff) confirmed grants and previous private donations were included in the city’s budgeted match.
Council members pressed staff about the shortfall. S7 asked which fund would cover the uncovered amount; S5 said private donations were already included in the budget but acknowledged the city will need to provide additional funds to bridge the gap. Council and staff discussed an additional $65,000 for engineering and supervision and other project-related costs.
The council’s approvals were conditional on any required Iowa Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration actions. Staff described the Shoemaker & Holland supplement as a local public agency consultant contract with federal-aid participation for $65,000 and recommended approval, which the council adopted.
Why it matters: the trail has been in planning for years and city leaders said completing it will leverage federal and state grants, enhance riverfront access and recreation, and require a measurable local contribution this year. The council’s votes allow the contractor to begin work pending routine state and federal clearances.
What’s next: Staff will proceed with contract administration and oversight and return to council if additional local appropriations or budget transfers are required. The council approved both motions by voice vote.
