Anamosa council commits up to $665,610 local match for Phase 3 of downtown revitalization; approves streetlights and other measures

The Anamosa City Council on Jan. 27 approved a package of measures that included a commitment of up to $665,610 in local matching funds for Phase 3 of the Downtown Revitalization Project.

The action came by motion from Council member Todd Weimer, seconded by Council member Kay Smith, when the council voted to adopt Resolution 2025-02. The roll-call vote recorded ayes from Kay Smith, Teresa Tuetken, Todd Weimer, Dan Smith, Brooke Gombert and Rich Crump; there were no nays. The resolution commits a maximum city match amount pending further implementation steps and does not, by itself, obligate expenditures beyond that cap.

In the same session the council opened the floor to outside agencies that submitted applications to the city's Hotel/Motel Grant Fund; the transcript lists applicants including Jones County Economic Development, Anamosa Festivals, Inc., Jones County Tourism Association, Anamosa Chamber of Commerce, Anamosa Rotary, Grant Wood Art Festival, Inc., and the Jones County Senior Center but records no presentations or award decisions.

Also during the meeting the council voted to: - Set Feb. 10, 2025, for a public hearing to consider an amendment to Anamosa Code of Ordinances, Chapter 165.23(3), on fences (Resolution 2025-03). The motion was moved by Rich Crump and seconded by Dan Smith and passed on a 6-0 roll call. - Add ten streetlights at specified locations on Old Dubuque Road and Chamber Drive (Resolution 2025-04). The motion, moved by Kay Smith and seconded by Todd Weimer, passed 6-0. - Authorize the City Clerk to obtain a business credit card on behalf of the City of Anamosa (Resolution 2025-05). The motion, moved by Rich Crump and seconded by Dan Smith, passed 6-0.

The council also approved departmental and vendor spending: a Parks & Recreation purchase of Ultratile Flooring for $3,970 was approved on a motion by Rich Crump, seconded by Brooke Gombert, and consent pay requests totaling $164,628.50 were approved later in the meeting. Both motions passed on unanimous roll-call votes as recorded in the minutes.

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda (minutes, current bills, liquor licenses): approved on motion by Rich Crump, seconded by Kay Smith. Roll call: Kay Smith, Teresa Tuetken, Todd Weimer, Dan Smith, Brooke Gombert, Rich Crump — ayes; motion carried. - Resolution 2025-02 (local match up to $665,610 for Downtown Revitalization Phase 3): moved by Todd Weimer, seconded by Kay Smith; vote 6-0, approved. - Resolution 2025-03 (set public hearing Feb. 10, 2025 to amend fence code): moved by Rich Crump, seconded by Dan Smith; vote 6-0, approved. - Resolution 2025-04 (add 10 streetlights on Old Dubuque Road and Chamber Drive): moved by Kay Smith, seconded by Todd Weimer; vote 6-0, approved. - Resolution 2025-05 (authorize city business credit card): moved by Rich Crump, seconded by Dan Smith; vote 6-0, approved. - Purchase: Ultratile Flooring, Parks & Recreation, $3,970: moved by Rich Crump, seconded by Brooke Gombert; vote 6-0, approved. - Consent pay requests totaling $164,628.50: moved by Rich Crump, seconded by Brooke Gombert; vote 6-0, approved.

Why it matters: The council's commitment toward Phase 3 of the Downtown Revitalization Project establishes the city's maximum local share and signals continued municipal support for downtown improvements. The streetlight additions and other operational approvals aim to address infrastructure and administrative needs ahead of implementation steps.

The meeting record shows no further detail on how the Hotel/Motel Grant Fund applications will be scored or awarded; applicants were listed but no presentations or awards are recorded. The meeting adjourned at 7:16 P.M.