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Keokuk groups seek hotel-motel tax funds for murals, shelter and downtown projects
Summary
At a Jan. 16 workshop, local nonprofits and event organizers requested hotel-motel tax awards ranging from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars for murals, veteran memorial upkeep, a homeless shelter retrofit, the history center, downtown revitalization, arts programming and festivals. The tourism bureau asked to restore $138,000 for marketing.
A range of Keokuk nonprofits and event organizers asked the City Council for hotel-motel tax dollars at a Jan. 16 workshop, seeking support for public art, veterans-memorial upkeep, a shelter retrofit, historical programming, downtown building rehabs and tourism marketing.
Martha F. (Kaku Parks Foundation/‘wall dogs’) described multi-year volunteer mural programs and said materials for large murals cost about $5,000 each; smaller 10-by-10 murals run $600–$1,000. She said patron Karen Moroduer pledged $10,000 and requested a $10,000 city match to expand mural installations along the riverfront, Gateway Park and downtown.
Mike Albright (Veterans Memorial Commission) requested $2,500 to buy four sets of flags (about $500 per set) and an additional $500 for pressure washing and site maintenance; he said volunteers who previously handled upkeep can no longer manage those tasks.
A Keokuk Homeless Alliance representative updated the council on converting the old VFW into a shelter and outlined three prioritized needs: running a 4-inch water line for the sprinkler connection, installing a full sprinkler system and adding monitored fire/security alarms. The representative said plans and fire-prevention drawings are on file with city staff and that the group continues active fundraising and grant outreach.
Eric Gates of the Keokuk History Center requested $10,000 to supplement operating expenses at the Miller House Museum, noting monthly utility and insurance costs are rising and that grants typically do not cover ongoing operating bills. Gates said the History Center uses tours, membership and small sales to fund operations but needs city help to maintain stable programming.
Main Street Keokuk (Amy Hob) requested $65,000 — up from $40,000 the prior year — to support staff capacity, building rehabilitation work and downtown branding and pocket-park development. Hob cited over $330,000 in external grant funding secured for two building rehabs and described expanded programmatic efforts in the downtown district.
Other presenters included the Fine Arts Council (Chuck Pyer), which requested $112,000 for arts programming and stage repairs, and the Big Dam Street Festival organizers (Doug Matl), who requested continued event funding. The Keokuk Area Convention & Tourism Bureau (Kirk Brandenburger) reported that FY 2023–24 lodging-tax receipts were about $353,900 — equivalent to roughly $5.05 million in room revenue — and requested reinstatement of a previously removed 10% ($138,000) to boost marketing with Arrivalist data.
Council members asked presenters follow-up questions about costs and funding sources. Staff said hotel-motel tax allocations will be reviewed later in the budget cycle and closer to the fiscal-year start; no formal awards were voted at the workshop.
Next steps: Council and staff will review requests against available hotel-motel revenues and the FY25 budget; decisions will be made later in the budget process and announced to applicants.
