Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Keokuk approves $18,954 cultural survey required to secure $960,000 HUD resurfacing appropriation
Summary
The council authorized a cultural reconnaissance survey by Eocene Environmental Group costing $18,954 for the South 18th Street resurfacing project after HUD/SHPO determined the earlier August 2023 review lacked required concurrence; staff said the additional Section 106 review is necessary before HUD will release the $960,000 appropriation.
Keokuk City Council on May 15 approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to contract with Eocene Environmental Group for a cultural reconnaissance survey related to the South 18th Street resurfacing project.
Public works staff told the council the city has a $960,000 appropriation for resurfacing South 18th Street (from the US Highway 218/Main Street intersection toward the Keokuk National Cemetery entrance) but HUD and the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) found the environmental review completed in August 2023 to be insufficient. Staff said HUD’s regional review requested additional Section 106 work and that the city sent a scope of work to Eocene on April 17; Eocene returned a professional services agreement April 29. The cost for the cultural reconnaissance study is $18,954, staff said.
“If we do not complete the Section 106 review and secure SHPO concurrence, we will not receive the $960,000 award from HUD,” staff told the council. The resolution authorizes the mayor to execute the agreement so the required review can proceed.
Council discussed why the earlier study was deemed insufficient; staff explained that the project review moved from HUD’s Washington, D.C., office to the regional office, which identified that SHPO had not signed a concurrence for the original study done by Impact7G. Staff recommended approval; council approved the resolution by voice vote.
The cultural survey is a required compliance step; staff said HUD has been instrumental in helping navigate the process and that completing the additional review is a condition to secure the appropriated funds and move the resurfacing project forward.
